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Author Topic:   Boston Whaler Non-Skid Won't Easily Clean

whaler007 posted 06-07-2010 11:23 PM ET (US)
I know [the difficulty of cleaning the non-skid deck areas on Boston Whaler boats] has been discussed dozens of times, but I can't get the non-skid [deck of my Boston Whaler 190 MONTAUK] looking good. What really puzzles me is that a few weeks ago, I went out on my friends 30-foot Baha Cruiser and the deck was gleaming white. I wore my boat shoes, but everyone else had back soled tennis shoes on that would have left marks all over my 190 Montauk. At the end of the trip, it still looked perfect. No marks from shoes and he just rinsed fish blood off the deck with his raw wash down hose. What gives? I asked him what he used and he said he bought "cleaner from West marine." I expected him to give me some type of formula more complex than what Einstein could come up with. So I bought some Star Brite from West Marine that cleaned my deck up fairly well (still have marks from shoes) but no where near as good looking as his deck. Am I doing something wrong or do Whaler non-skid patterns just not come clean? I bought the boat new, and the deck is far from neglected.
Robert V posted 06-08-2010 07:12 AM ET (US)
I know what you mean, my Whaler non-skid has been the toughest (of all boats I've owned) to keep clean. I use a soft deck brush, Softscrub with bleach or Comet and Tilex for the black spots. After I get the non-skid clean, I treat the area with Woody Wax. I have tried different brands of non-skid cleaners but this "mix" seems to work the best. I am sure others have different methods, opinions or products. Just my .02, keep the change!
Robert
ronwhaler posted 06-12-2010 09:54 AM ET (US)
I have found that attempting to clean a few small stubborn areas on nonskid, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works remarkably well.
teepee848 posted 06-12-2010 02:22 PM ET (US)
I use a cleaner called Roll-Off from West Marine on my 170 Montauk, and it works [well]. Tony
contender posted 06-12-2010 02:34 PM ET (US)
Some time ago I remember reading about [possibly meant a product called BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND] for cleaning the spots.
PeteB88 posted 06-13-2010 09:52 PM ET (US)
Seems like straight Simple Green and medium brush works for me. I leave it on for a while to let the solution work on the grime.
jimh posted 06-13-2010 09:57 PM ET (US)
I tried some BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND on the non-skid deck this weekend. You have to rinse it very thoroughly, or else it leaves a white powder residue.
Jefecinco posted 06-14-2010 08:58 AM ET (US)
The non-skid deck surfaces on my Whalers have been extremely aggressive. That's what makes them so safe and what makes them difficult to clean. If I find it necessary to get down on the deck on my knees to work it will skin my knees if I am not wearing long trousers. I have the same problem with my elbows.
I have found the Starbright Deck Cleaner to be effective if not perfect. It sometimes takes more than one application. Allowing the cleaner to sit on the deck for a few minutes is helpful.
I've not yet tried the Woody Wax treatment but plan to do so as soon as I return from a four day trip to Gulf Shores this week.
Starbright also markets a Hull Cleaner which, I believe, contains oxalic acid. I may try some of that on stubborn spots the next time I find the decks won't clean up well with the car wash I use for general boat washing.
As with all strong cleaners I always make an extra effort to ensure all the cleaner is rinsed away. It is probably a fairly effective hull wax remover.
Butch
skred posted 06-14-2010 10:00 AM ET (US)
Starbrite has "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" available. That may be what Butch is referring to. Highly effective - better if you sprinkle Barkeeper's Friend on at the same time....
jollyrog305 posted 06-14-2010 11:07 AM ET (US)
Here is what I did the other weekend and the boat turned out looking great
- Wash the boat with soap and water
- Used Starbrite Rust Remover (Oxalic Acid) on a couple stains/discoloration spots
- Used a Magic Eraser to remove some rub marks
Washed the entire deck with Starbrite Nonskid Deck Cleaner
- Applied Woody Wax
Once the Woody Wax dries, soda, blood, etc just beads up and easily washes away.
fluke posted 06-14-2010 01:03 PM ET (US)
does the wax make the deck slippery?
whalerdude posted 06-14-2010 01:41 PM ET (US)
the only solution that I have ever found is by using a small pressure washer. this works beautifully.
secondly, I make everyone take their shoes off and put them in a box before getting on board.
NO SHOES. It makes a big difference.
Whalerdude
jollyrog305 posted 06-14-2010 05:53 PM ET (US)
Woody wax is a bit slippery until it dries/water evaporates. The instructions on the bottle caution the user that the deck will be slippery and that you only need to apply a few trigger pulls to cover a large area.
number9 posted 06-15-2010 04:07 AM ET (US)

quote:
I tried some BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND on the non-skid deck this weekend. You have to rinse it very thoroughly, or else it leaves a white powder residue.

Did it do a decent job of cleaning the non-skid in your opinion?
thediscusthrower posted 06-15-2010 08:41 AM ET (US)
I have always used Bar Keeper's Friend (or Zud when I can't get it) and it does a terrific job of keeping my 1995 15' Dauntless non-skid clean.
GreatBayNH posted 06-15-2010 09:11 AM ET (US)
Starbrite "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" works well for me on my hard to clean 2006 Montauk 170 non-skid decking. Two applications needed on the real dirty spots.
69boo307 posted 06-15-2010 12:35 PM ET (US)
I've never had a problem cleaning the non-skid myself, I just use a nylon bristled tire brush and some simple green. I can scrub the whole thing down in 5 minutes.
jimh posted 06-16-2010 08:28 AM ET (US)
BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND was more effective at cleaning the non-skid deck on my boat than SIMPLE GREEN in a diluted solution of unknown concentration.
I suspect that some of the effectiveness of cleaning can be attributed to the type of brush used. If the bristles of the brush are able to reach into the recesses of the non-skid pattern, they will be more effective in removing the dirt that collects there.
Marlin posted 06-16-2010 12:38 PM ET (US)
I'll have to give Barkeeper's Friend a try. Nothing else I've tried has really done a very good job on my 2003 Dauntless 160. Even toilet bowl cleaner, which takes tea stains (and wax!) off the hull like magic, doesn't do a great job on the deck. But then there's a little triangle on the deck next to my center console, about 1 inch on a side, that has stayed sparkling white since the day I bought the boat. What's with that???
-Bob
Lil Ole Boat posted 06-16-2010 04:23 PM ET (US)
I have a few small spots of varnish from when the previous owner did the interior. Any recommendations on removing this with out damaging the surface?
number9 posted 06-16-2010 05:40 PM ET (US)
Bob, think that's your own little Bermuda triangle.
skred posted 06-16-2010 06:23 PM ET (US)
I think that's a "Rockport Triangle"...
Dauntless 180 posted 06-16-2010 07:37 PM ET (US)
Starbright Deck Cleaner............The Woody Wax, I love that stuff!
Whalerdog posted 06-17-2010 08:06 PM ET (US)
Funny I found some Starbrite "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" in the dock box from someone else. I tried it and it seemed good so I bought a bottle today. Funny I see this post today. I used a short stiff bristle brush with a long handle,
hycboat posted 06-22-2010 03:30 PM ET (US)
I didn't see where anyone power washed the non-skid areas. I started doing this a couple of years ago and it works like magic.
hycboat
Gary L posted 06-22-2010 09:37 PM ET (US)
I used a rake on mine after I picked it up from the previous owner last week, Worked great! :-)))
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gamalot/Boat/100_0424.jpg
There is a long way to go before I worry about stains and scuffs, if ever.
Gary
Plotman posted 06-22-2010 10:52 PM ET (US)
The flare is a a nice touch. An attempt to burn the debris off?
Sal A posted 06-23-2010 07:58 AM ET (US)
I use Amazing Roll Off to clean the marks, and then I use a little Woody Wax brushed in on wet deck, which keeps it cleaner for a longer period of time.
Sal A posted 06-23-2010 08:14 AM ET (US)
Gary L,
That is one of the funniest pics I have seen in a long while.
L H G posted 06-23-2010 08:01 PM ET (US)
I won't use Bar Keepers Friend anywhere on my boats. It's abrasive and leaves very fine scrathes in the gelcoat. It is a product designed for cleaning stainless steel commercial kitchen items.
For excellent results try "Super Clean" in the purple bottle. It is really amazing stuff, and works even better than Starbite's Deck Cleaner. Just be careful of painted surfaces.
Sebash4 posted 06-24-2010 09:24 AM ET (US)
Use the "KISS" Formula.. Ajax and a good brush will clean your deck and it's less expensive than all those fancy cleaners.
Jefecinco posted 06-24-2010 10:06 AM ET (US)
Sal,
Which stores sell this Amazing Roll Off. It sounds like the real deal.
Butch
newt posted 06-24-2010 11:17 AM ET (US)
For varnish spots, put on the rubber gloves and scrub with acetone using a micro fiber cloth and a plastic scraper.
stevedwyer posted 06-24-2010 12:34 PM ET (US)
Use White Wall Cleaner... Spray Nine Marine Cleaner works well too.. The West marine stuff never worked for me

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Author	Topic: Boston Whaler Non-Skid Won't Easily Clean
whaler007	posted 06-07-2010 11:23 PM ET (US) I know [the difficulty of cleaning the non-skid deck areas on Boston Whaler boats] has been discussed dozens of times, but I can't get the non-skid [deck of my Boston Whaler 190 MONTAUK] looking good. What really puzzles me is that a few weeks ago, I went out on my friends 30-foot Baha Cruiser and the deck was gleaming white. I wore my boat shoes, but everyone else had back soled tennis shoes on that would have left marks all over my 190 Montauk. At the end of the trip, it still looked perfect. No marks from shoes and he just rinsed fish blood off the deck with his raw wash down hose. What gives? I asked him what he used and he said he bought "cleaner from West marine." I expected him to give me some type of formula more complex than what Einstein could come up with. So I bought some Star Brite from West Marine that cleaned my deck up fairly well (still have marks from shoes) but no where near as good looking as his deck. Am I doing something wrong or do Whaler non-skid patterns just not come clean? I bought the boat new, and the deck is far from neglected.
Robert V	posted 06-08-2010 07:12 AM ET (US) I know what you mean, my Whaler non-skid has been the toughest (of all boats I've owned) to keep clean. I use a soft deck brush, Softscrub with bleach or Comet and Tilex for the black spots. After I get the non-skid clean, I treat the area with Woody Wax. I have tried different brands of non-skid cleaners but this "mix" seems to work the best. I am sure others have different methods, opinions or products. Just my .02, keep the change! Robert
ronwhaler	posted 06-12-2010 09:54 AM ET (US) I have found that attempting to clean a few small stubborn areas on nonskid, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works remarkably well.
teepee848	posted 06-12-2010 02:22 PM ET (US) I use a cleaner called Roll-Off from West Marine on my 170 Montauk, and it works [well]. Tony
contender	posted 06-12-2010 02:34 PM ET (US) Some time ago I remember reading about [possibly meant a product called BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND] for cleaning the spots.
PeteB88	posted 06-13-2010 09:52 PM ET (US) Seems like straight Simple Green and medium brush works for me. I leave it on for a while to let the solution work on the grime.
jimh	posted 06-13-2010 09:57 PM ET (US) I tried some BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND on the non-skid deck this weekend. You have to rinse it very thoroughly, or else it leaves a white powder residue.
Jefecinco	posted 06-14-2010 08:58 AM ET (US) The non-skid deck surfaces on my Whalers have been extremely aggressive. That's what makes them so safe and what makes them difficult to clean. If I find it necessary to get down on the deck on my knees to work it will skin my knees if I am not wearing long trousers. I have the same problem with my elbows. I have found the Starbright Deck Cleaner to be effective if not perfect. It sometimes takes more than one application. Allowing the cleaner to sit on the deck for a few minutes is helpful. I've not yet tried the Woody Wax treatment but plan to do so as soon as I return from a four day trip to Gulf Shores this week. Starbright also markets a Hull Cleaner which, I believe, contains oxalic acid. I may try some of that on stubborn spots the next time I find the decks won't clean up well with the car wash I use for general boat washing. As with all strong cleaners I always make an extra effort to ensure all the cleaner is rinsed away. It is probably a fairly effective hull wax remover. Butch
skred	posted 06-14-2010 10:00 AM ET (US) Starbrite has "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" available. That may be what Butch is referring to. Highly effective - better if you sprinkle Barkeeper's Friend on at the same time....
jollyrog305	posted 06-14-2010 11:07 AM ET (US) Here is what I did the other weekend and the boat turned out looking great - Wash the boat with soap and water - Used Starbrite Rust Remover (Oxalic Acid) on a couple stains/discoloration spots - Used a Magic Eraser to remove some rub marks Washed the entire deck with Starbrite Nonskid Deck Cleaner - Applied Woody Wax Once the Woody Wax dries, soda, blood, etc just beads up and easily washes away.
fluke	posted 06-14-2010 01:03 PM ET (US) does the wax make the deck slippery?
whalerdude	posted 06-14-2010 01:41 PM ET (US) the only solution that I have ever found is by using a small pressure washer. this works beautifully. secondly, I make everyone take their shoes off and put them in a box before getting on board. NO SHOES. It makes a big difference. Whalerdude
jollyrog305	posted 06-14-2010 05:53 PM ET (US) Woody wax is a bit slippery until it dries/water evaporates. The instructions on the bottle caution the user that the deck will be slippery and that you only need to apply a few trigger pulls to cover a large area.
number9	posted 06-15-2010 04:07 AM ET (US) quote: I tried some BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND on the non-skid deck this weekend. You have to rinse it very thoroughly, or else it leaves a white powder residue. Did it do a decent job of cleaning the non-skid in your opinion?
thediscusthrower	posted 06-15-2010 08:41 AM ET (US) I have always used Bar Keeper's Friend (or Zud when I can't get it) and it does a terrific job of keeping my 1995 15' Dauntless non-skid clean.
GreatBayNH	posted 06-15-2010 09:11 AM ET (US) Starbrite "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" works well for me on my hard to clean 2006 Montauk 170 non-skid decking. Two applications needed on the real dirty spots.
69boo307	posted 06-15-2010 12:35 PM ET (US) I've never had a problem cleaning the non-skid myself, I just use a nylon bristled tire brush and some simple green. I can scrub the whole thing down in 5 minutes.
jimh	posted 06-16-2010 08:28 AM ET (US) BAR KEEPER'S FRIEND was more effective at cleaning the non-skid deck on my boat than SIMPLE GREEN in a diluted solution of unknown concentration. I suspect that some of the effectiveness of cleaning can be attributed to the type of brush used. If the bristles of the brush are able to reach into the recesses of the non-skid pattern, they will be more effective in removing the dirt that collects there.
Marlin	posted 06-16-2010 12:38 PM ET (US) I'll have to give Barkeeper's Friend a try. Nothing else I've tried has really done a very good job on my 2003 Dauntless 160. Even toilet bowl cleaner, which takes tea stains (and wax!) off the hull like magic, doesn't do a great job on the deck. But then there's a little triangle on the deck next to my center console, about 1 inch on a side, that has stayed sparkling white since the day I bought the boat. What's with that??? -Bob
Lil Ole Boat	posted 06-16-2010 04:23 PM ET (US) I have a few small spots of varnish from when the previous owner did the interior. Any recommendations on removing this with out damaging the surface?
number9	posted 06-16-2010 05:40 PM ET (US) Bob, think that's your own little Bermuda triangle.
skred	posted 06-16-2010 06:23 PM ET (US) I think that's a "Rockport Triangle"...
Dauntless 180	posted 06-16-2010 07:37 PM ET (US) Starbright Deck Cleaner............The Woody Wax, I love that stuff!
Whalerdog	posted 06-17-2010 08:06 PM ET (US) Funny I found some Starbrite "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" in the dock box from someone else. I tried it and it seemed good so I bought a bottle today. Funny I see this post today. I used a short stiff bristle brush with a long handle,
hycboat	posted 06-22-2010 03:30 PM ET (US) I didn't see where anyone power washed the non-skid areas. I started doing this a couple of years ago and it works like magic. hycboat
Gary L	posted 06-22-2010 09:37 PM ET (US) I used a rake on mine after I picked it up from the previous owner last week, Worked great! :-))) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gamalot/Boat/100_0424.jpg There is a long way to go before I worry about stains and scuffs, if ever. Gary
Plotman	posted 06-22-2010 10:52 PM ET (US) The flare is a a nice touch. An attempt to burn the debris off?
Sal A	posted 06-23-2010 07:58 AM ET (US) I use Amazing Roll Off to clean the marks, and then I use a little Woody Wax brushed in on wet deck, which keeps it cleaner for a longer period of time.
Sal A	posted 06-23-2010 08:14 AM ET (US) Gary L, That is one of the funniest pics I have seen in a long while.
L H G	posted 06-23-2010 08:01 PM ET (US) I won't use Bar Keepers Friend anywhere on my boats. It's abrasive and leaves very fine scrathes in the gelcoat. It is a product designed for cleaning stainless steel commercial kitchen items. For excellent results try "Super Clean" in the purple bottle. It is really amazing stuff, and works even better than Starbite's Deck Cleaner. Just be careful of painted surfaces.
Sebash4	posted 06-24-2010 09:24 AM ET (US) Use the "KISS" Formula.. Ajax and a good brush will clean your deck and it's less expensive than all those fancy cleaners.
Jefecinco	posted 06-24-2010 10:06 AM ET (US) Sal, Which stores sell this Amazing Roll Off. It sounds like the real deal. Butch
newt	posted 06-24-2010 11:17 AM ET (US) For varnish spots, put on the rubber gloves and scrub with acetone using a micro fiber cloth and a plastic scraper.
stevedwyer	posted 06-24-2010 12:34 PM ET (US) Use White Wall Cleaner... Spray Nine Marine Cleaner works well too.. The West marine stuff never worked for me