Newbie needs fiberglass deck cleaning recommendations

[nimbex1970]

Thanks, after a search, maybe wrong thread place... I need help finding exterior deck cleaning that is safe for the environment. We have dolphins and manatees in our marina.

Yes I am new to this, but I trust my fellow cruisers more than what manufactures say. Please help with some solutions It's fiberglass.

The deck has no real stains, only algae, water stains, from lack of care. Please no environment debates, just want the easiest and safest for marine life please and thank you all so much.

[Sailor 99]

Originally Posted by nimbex1970

Thanks, after a search, maybe wrong thread place... I need help finding exterior deck cleaning that is safe for the environment. We have dolphins and manatees in our marina.

Yes I am new to this, but I trust my fellow cruisers more than what manufactures say. Please help with some solutions It's fiberglass.

The deck has no real stains, only algae, water stains, from lack of care. Please no environment debates, just want the easiest and safest for marine life please and thank you all so much.

I have had good success with Simple Green. Advertised as non-toxic and biodegradable.

[tkeithlu]

Dawn kitchen dish soap and a stiff brush. The brush is important, but you don't need any harsh or harmful chemicals for this job.

[Checkswrecks]

+1 for Simple Green

[drewm3i]

Ive had great luck with a polish like nu finish and a bristle scrub brush before. Also restores the shine...

[tarian]

oxalic Acid in diluted form ,will be ok as it is an organic acid and will dilute with the water no problems at all and will not effect any flora or fauna unless you decide to pump the whole marina with it
Water is unique in that in can dilute and spread and disperse other solutions easily , but it is always good to use natural products

[ras1544]

Simple Green and a high quality scrub brush.

[Wayfarer1008]

Simple green is basically a 1% citric acid cleanser that has to be the most environmentally friendly cleaner one can buy for the job. For tougher stains look for a citric Acid based hand cleaner that contains pumice to rub out the tough stuff. Finally 3M makes a great product for cleaning up oxidized gelcoat with very little wax in it called 3M™ Marine Compound and Finishing Material. Its white in color and contains fine calcium dust as an abrasive "Same as found in tooth paste" that will restore a lot of the oxidation without making the surface slippery like a wax.

[George DuBose]

I also use Simple Green and I took a 2-3 inch round dish brush with a wooden backing and plastic bristles. I removed the handle and set an 8mm drill bit into the back of the brush, not drilling through the wood, just so the bit was about 1/2 deep, I epoxied the bit into the back of the brush and then as this bit has a hexagon end that fits my battery powered electric screwdriver, I can easily scrub textured cabin soles and my deck before I covered it with Flexiteek. If the bit is epoxied into the back of the brush, one can reverse the brush to keep the bristles from having a memory.

[Mlp48]

Dawn and other soaps like it remove wax. onsider that before you use but also that other uses of Dawn include removing oil with oil soaked wildlife. Try water and scrubbing 1st and see where you go !

[Mlp48]

Dawn and other soaps like it remove wax. onsider that before you use but also that other uses of Dawn include removing oil with oil soaked wildlife. Try water and scrubbing 1st and see where you go !

[SeaRaider]

I got a Stanley electric power washer from Home Depot. Very portable, well rated and plenty of cleaning power. You can add soap for initial wetting. Much much easier then the scrub brush method. Read and follow the directions. Good Warranty also. Link:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-...2050/302290919


And yes, I know there are folks that will BooHoo the use of a power washer. So be it. But, I am 70, and it works well for me.

[MarkusK]

Originally Posted by Mlp48

Dawn and other soaps like it remove wax. onsider that before you use but also that other uses of Dawn include removing oil with oil soaked wildlife. Try water and scrubbing 1st and see where you go !

Water and a pressure washer. No detergent. Works for me.

[nimbex1970]

you all are amazing, thank you so very MUCH!

[thinwater]

Simple Green certainly succeed is spinning their use of the word "green" into a fortune. Adding the word simple was brilliant. Buy this bottle and you've done everything right. Simple.



Really, if you look that the SDS information, it is little different from and no better than that vast majority of cleaners. For example, a cleaner based on borax and washing soda, appropriately diluted, would have an LC 50 of over 1000 mg/L and be more effective against mildew and lichens. Eco selling hype.



Aquatic:Aquatic Toxicity -Low, based on OECD 201, 202, 203 + Microtox: EC50& IC50≥100 mg/L. Volume of ingredients used does not trigger toxicity classifications under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.Terrestrial:Not tested on finished formulation.


(not my spelling error)