Care of non-skid deck surface

demian · Post by **demian** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:26 pm

I have a 2002 26X, which I purchased new. In getting ready for the boating season I usually wash and wax the hull and other "not-walked-on" surfaces of the boat. I was told to never wax the non-skid part of the deck and cockpit since these surfaces would then become slippery and unsafe. This makes sense to me. I have found a number of articles on how to repair or replace non-skid surfaces, but I can't find any information on how to "[b]maintain[/b]" non-skid, so as to delay or prevent deterioration of this surface. Does anybody have any suggestions as to maintenance of non-skid on the Mac?

As an old politician used to say "I'm all ears"

Artful Dodger
2002 26X
Yamaha 50

Post by **kmclemore** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:32 pm

Try this stuff.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:12 pm

I use Softscrub, works great on all surfaces walked on!

Steve

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:50 am

The Sure-Step stuff from Aurora looks good, but I would clean mine down with my 1600 PSI electric pressure washer first, them perhaps use a scrub brush and Fantastic or something to really clean it, then apply Sure-Step.

Richard O'Brien · Post by **Richard O'Brien** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:05 pm

Terry wrote:The Sure-Step stuff from Aurora looks good, but I would clean mine down with my 1600 PSI electric pressure washer first, them perhaps use a scrub brush and Fantastic or something to really clean it, then apply Sure-Step.

A word of caution about pressure washers? make sure you test it on an obscure surface first. Some washers held very close can actually blow away gel-coat. I know , did it!

Post by **kmclemore** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:14 pm

The SureStep folks have their own cleaner which the recommend using prior to application of the wax. Dig around on their website and you'll find it.

demian · Post by **demian** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:34 am

Thank you folks: I have just contacted Aurora Marine and ordered their Sure-Step stuff. I also purchased the two cleaners they recommend. I will give this a shot, and report back as soon as I can evaluate the performance of these materials.
I still find it fascinating that info about the maintenance of this critical surface is not more widely available.

Thanks again for all the wise suggestions. As always, you people seem to have more insight than a lot of "professionals".

Artful Dodger
2002 Mac 26X
Yamaha 50

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:53 am

There are other brands besides Aurora. I have a different one on the boat, but don't remember which brand at this moment. I cleaned the nonskid with TileX cleaner (careful, contains bleach) and bristle brush. Rinsed well and let dry. Then put on the brand of wet friction wax which has a dull shine when dry, and is smooth but not slippery. When wet it gives very good traction, the most amazing thing is it allows quick clean up after bird and spider poop and other stuff gets on it. We apply it twice a year. Well worth the effort since the nonskid is the hardest area to clean.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:19 pm

Best cleaning tip I ever got for the boat was buying a Karcher 1500 psi electric washer - it gets all the algae off the cockpit as well as the deck using just mild soap.

Off season we took all the old paint off the basement walls and refinished it into a kids room...so the Admiral didnt mind the cost at all since now she cleans everything with it...patio, porch furniture, the kids....

...ergo it didnt count in the boat budget

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Care of non-skid deck surface

Care of non-skid deck surface

Non-Skid?

Re: Non-Skid?

Friction wax