Cockpit grunge

[Graham W]

After five seasons of hard sailing, Turaco's white-coloured cockpit surfaces, especially the non-slip sole, are looking distinctly grungy.  I've noticed that some BayRaider owners manage to maintain their boats to a level of brilliance usually found in toothpaste ads.  Apart from scrubbing every square inch with a toothbrush, what's the secret?

[Andy Dingle]

Morning Graham.

I recommend oxalic acid, sounds drastic but is harmless on grp and is sold as a recommended cleaner for boats. Will clean rust stains and accumulated ground in dirt off gel coat, also restores that 'yellowing' of white gel back to its original. I've used it on numerous previous boats including my now not so shiny BC.
Interestingly it also works on wood to get out the dark water penetration stains from light woods. The motor industry uses it as a cleaner as well I understand.
As always, try and source it from some place other than chandlers. Ebay is 1 kg at about £9 which would, I think, be enough for your BR. Lots of other sources on t'interweb.

Hope this helps.

Andy

[Jonathan Stuart]

Andy's spot-on...oxalic acid is, I believe, the active ingredient in moist branded GRP stain removers.

[Graham W]

As always, try and source it from some place other than chandlers.

I'll raid my wife's bee-keeping shed - she uses it to control varroa mite infestations in her hives.  Thanks Andy and Jonathan.

[Matthew P]

I stupidly once made the mistake of adding polish to my deck cleaner which made deck and seat surfaces scarily slippery - even without wearing Crocs Graham.  So I have been using Starbrite Non-skid Cleaner with PTEF (not PTFE) which is effective at lifting dirt and as it says on the label, non-slip. 

1 ltr does about 2 cleaning sessions, costs about £12.  See www.force4.co.uk/starbrite-non-skid-deck-cleaner-with-ptef-1gal-m.html?gclid=CLvR-dmniMgCFUUOwwoduooFWQ#.VgAQet9VhBc > I forget if Force 4 is still on the SY Forum approved list.

Oxalic acid may be  more effective though and certainly cheaper if you know a friendly bee keeper.

Matthew
BR20 Gladys

[Tony]

I'm no help....I only use UV and salt water!
But then, neither "Wabi" nor "Four Sisters" would win prizes for paintwork.

BTW, salt water is great for cleaning  clothes when on a cruise. Just chuck your nether garments into a string bag and tow behind the boat for half an hour. Then rinse in fresh water  (or nothing ever dries) and dry in the sun and wind.
(Not recommended for Cashmere sweaters)

Oxalic acid will shift rust marks from white sails, too.