Cleaning deck

[Gary]

Hello Folks:

Just a quick note regarding cleaning of the very dirty deck surface on Celestine.  Last fall we washed the decks & hull down with various & specific (costly) boat cleaning materials.  Results were at best  - merely ok.

Last Sunday, in the rain yet, washed her down using Boraxo (1 cup powder per 5 gallons) plus a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid.  Results were very good.   The deck is now clean enough to be waxed.  Volunteers are always welcome for waxing training.

I find this product works well, is not harmful to the environment and the price is right according to the Admiral.

Has anyone else used Boraxo for this application and if so what results were achieved and/or any problems long/short term? 
                                                                                                                         Best regards,

                                                                                                                            Gary

[Steve Ullrich]

Haven't tried Boraxo but I'll give it a whirl.  I've used Tilex in the past.  No scrubbing!

[Gary]

Hi Steve:

Another individual at our marina had used Boraxo the week before on an extremely dirty/stained deck.  I believe the boat was a Columbia 25? The results were amazing, which is what led me to want to also try it.

I prefer going to school on others when possible, why re-learn how to make a wheel.

I used the same long handled deck brush I've used in the past.  The bristles are not all that stiff as I don't want to add any mechanically induced scratches.  Around the stanchions, etc. I used a smaller brush and a tooth brush.  I'll admit there were a couple of spots where I needed (or the Admiral) to use a very minor touch of Simple Green.  I rather not use such a chemically aggressive material, unless really necessary.

Please let me know how it works for you.

                                                                                                 Regards,

                                                                                                   Gary

[Craig Weis]

Knee pads,
a short draft bucket, in a three gallon bucket? Don't need a lot of water, but more soak time is nicer using...
about 1-1/2 cups of Clorox, and some water in the bucket,
a goodly sized dollop of Mother's Gold car soap or Murphy's oil soap,
two sizes of a stiff nylon easy to hold on to stiff brush,
a fresh water hose with nozzle,
and start scrubbing,
let this mixture set a bit and soak.
Like solvents dissolve like substances.

I'm a bad boater 'cause I don't care if I make some soap suds in the water.
Like peeing in the ocean to make it overflow, as long as the water flows into and out of the mooring area,
or I do this on the trailer.
Heck the DNR comes over and poisons the waters to kill off the grass's so No Big Deal?
"The solution to pollution is dilution." Me thinks.

Anytime dredge's become a problem is when the EPA digs it up off the bottom and concentrates the mess and then 'plants' this mess in a clay bottomed pit. Capping it off in a few years and planting grass and trees and allowing some developer to build luxury condo's on top of the hills. Happened in Glenview, Illinois where x-Chicago Bear, Dick Backus [sp?] has a place.
skip.

[Gary]

Hi Skip:

Have done the knee pads, brushes, both hand and handled types, fresh water hose, etc.

Always willings to try some new techniques/process.

I assume your using 1.5 cups of Clorox in a bucket of approximately 5 gallons?  If not what size capacity?  Murphy's oil soap sounds interesting, hadn't thought about trying that.

Thanks for your input/thoughts.

                                                                                       Regards,

                                                                                        Gary

[Gary]

Hi Skip:

Question for you.  Do you have any idea on the number of CP-27's actually produced over the years?

                                                                                                                          Thanks,  Gary

[Catalina9405]

Hello all,

I have not used Borax, but I have seen it recommended I believe in a previous issue of Sail magazine.  It is also listed as one of the "green" cleaners as it is naturally occurring in the environment.

One additional cleaner that came recommended and we have been amazed with is Bar Keepers Friend.  It contains a bit of oxacilic acid and is packaged similar to comet.  It is safe for fiberglass and stainless, and it removes rust stains with little effort.  It is far and away the best cleaner I have found for tough stains after trying all kinds of stuff over the past 15 years.  We find it locally in hardware stores and Walmart caries it.

Chad

[Craig Weis]

Well Sure Sailors, Bar Keeper's Friend might be just the ticket.
I have no special formula nor 'strength' I just toss a bunch of surfactants together and scrub. What comes off, comes off.
What stays is maybe lighter and brighter and then a second or continuing application of 'whatever' is used till the discoloration is gone.

I have no idea the number of 27 foot hulls were produced. Nor when the interior layout was changed.. Nor the type/name of head used. I am sorry. skip.

[Gary]

Hi Skip & Chad:

Thanks for the cleaning info.  Sorry you've no info on the # of 27" hulls produced.  Think I'll speak with Jerry at Hutchins on that one.

Chad, interesting on the Bar Keepers Friend.   Might just give that one a try also.  BTW, must one have an adult beverage in hand in order to insure it's success?

                                                                                                                                            Thanks,   Gary

[Nicolina]

Gary,

I'd also be interested in hearing about the number of 27 produced (and when, or which model). I hope you'll find out something!

Jens