How to Clean and Care for Non-Skid Boat Decks

Keeping Your Non-Skid Boat Deck Sparkling Clean

Boat owners know that keeping your non-skid fiberglass deck looking its best is an important part of boat maintenance. Not only does a clean deck just look better, but it also helps keep your boat and passengers safe by providing good traction for walking around without slipping. However, cleaning textured non-skid deck surfaces can be tricky compared to smooth boat decks. You need an effective deck cleaner specifically designed to cut through dirt, grime, fish blood, and other messes while being safe for your deck's non-skid coating.

Challenges of Cleaning Non-Skid Decks

Standard boat soaps or deck cleaners that work well on smooth fiberglass often fail when it comes to non-skid surfaces. The textured pattern that makes non-skid safe to walk on also traps dirt, salt, and anything else passengers track aboard. Bar soaps and household cleaners cannot penetrate the nooks and crannies to lift stains and debris away.

You also cannot use harsh chemicals or abrasives that might damage or wear down delicate non-skid coatings. The specialized texture needs to last and provide traction for years. The wrong cleaning products can degrade non-skid surfaces faster.

Choosing the Best Non-Skid Boat Deck Cleaner

Look for a deck cleaning product specifically designed for non-skid fiberglass surfaces. The best options can power away caked-on messes without damaging the intricate texture or stripping away non-skid coatings.

Ideally, you want a cleaner that lifts dirt from the deepest grooves in your non-skid texture as it dissolves grease and grime. Any soap scum or fish blood staining should easily wipe away without heavy scrubbing or pressure washing. The ultimate goal is sparkling results without eroding the non-skid grip over time.

Using Non-Skid Deck Cleaning Products

Always refer to the product label and instructions for non-skid deck cleaning solutions. In most cases, you will:

• Sweep the deck first to remove loose debris
• Apply the non-skid deck cleaner to dirty areas
• Allow it soak in for 5-10 minutes
• Scrub gently with a brush or pad
• Rinse thoroughly to lift away dissolve mess
• Air dry or wipe down with a lint-free cloth

Never allow non-skid cleaning solutions to dry on the deck surface. Rinsing prevents streaking or water spots. Thoroughly removing residues ensures you get down to clean fiberglass instead of leaving behind a slippery film.

Maintaining Non-Skid Deck Surfaces

Regular cleaning makes removing dirt, stains, and debris easier by preventing buildup. Allowing messes to cake onto non-skid means requiring harsher scrubbing and chemicals to remove the grime.

Here are some boat cleaning tips to prevent major staining or damage to non-skid decks:

• Rinse with fresh water after boating to prevent salt, brine, or mud drying
• Remove fish blood, wine spills, or food stains quickly
• Allow pet accidents to fully dry then lift with an enzyme cleaner
• Degrease oily drips or fuel spills immediately with a stain remover
• Use a soft-bristled brush and avoid abrasive pads
• Always test cleaners on inconspicuous areas first

With frequent cleaning, you can keep your non-skid boat deck looking like new for longer. Your passengers will appreciate the clean surface too.

Restore Faded, Worn Non-Skid Surfaces

No matter how careful you are, non-skid coatings fade over time after years of use, UV damage, and weathering. Sections may become too smooth or slick to provide reliable traction.

Specialized non-skid restoration or recoating kits can renew worn areas and refresh grip. These coating products fill in gaps in compressed textures and bond to aged non-skid surfaces. Just thoroughly clean the old deck, allowing it drying fully. Then simply roll on new non-skid coating layer as directed.

Well-maintained non-skid also gets replaced less often. Keeping it clean makes non-skid last significantly longer before needing restoration.

FAQs

What is the best way to clean fish blood and scales off my non-skid deck?

Use a specialty non-skid boat cleaner formulated to break down fish proteins. Allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly with fresh water. Dry immediately to avoid fishy odors in deck pores.

Can I use bleach or other household cleaners on my textured deck?

No, avoid bleach, ammonia, acids, or abrasives. Only use a cleaner designed specifically for non-skid boat surfaces to prevent damage to delicate coatings. Test unfamiliar products on small hidden areas first.

How can I restore my worn, weathered non-skid deck traction?

Apply a non-skid restoration coating made to adhere to aged fiberglass and fill compressed textures. Thoroughly clean the old deck first before rolling on new grip guard. Kits make refreshing traction simple.

Is pressure washing OK for routine non-skid cleaning?

Use extreme caution when pressure washing textured decks. The concentrated force can damage the texture meant to help prevent slips. Start on low settings at a wide angle without concentrating on one area too long.