How to remove old wax from non-skid decks

Skipper January 19, 2016 Ask The Skipper

Paul asked:

I have a 1975 pearson 10-M, i just brought it, it seams someone tried to wax the non skid deck like regular fiberglass surface it left a white swirl marks and i cant remove it with anything i tried. i thought about a pressure washer as a last resort!

anysugesstions

Answer:

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Be careful with pressure washing Don’t go over 1,500 psi and use a fan nozzle. If the pressure is too strong or contact angle too severe, it will blow the gelcoat right off the fiberglass.

If it’s wax, you should be able to get that off with a combination of Boat Clean Plus, Boat Scrub and a deck brush. Do a section at a time. Mix a 1 to 4 solution of Boat Clean Plus and water and apply that to the deck. Scrub it with the deck brush and let it work for 5 to 10 minutes, making sure that it doesn’t dry out. Now apply some Boat Scrub to the wet surface and scrub vigorously. That should get it off and out of the pores.

Don’t use the deck brush on the smooth parts as it will scratch. Use a Marine Power Mitt.

When you get it clean, I suggest protecting the deck with Sure Step, especially since yours is an older boat. Here’s a link to a how to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-CYvHhTFk8

If this procedure doesn’t work, then there is something else on your deck. Let me know and I’ll try to help you figure it out.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar