Laser deck cleaning

Shrubser

New Member
Hello. This is my first post :)

I'm completely new to Laser sailing and have been graciously allowed to sail a friends old Laser, number 30000ish, provided I can make it seaworthy. In return I would like to do a little restoration for the guy who's letting me sail it. So... this is the first of what I'm sure will be many questions.

I'm trying to find a product or products that will restore the deck. It is currently ingrained with years of dirt from not having been covered up and I guess that has meant that it is oxidized as well. Has anyone here been able to do anything about this kind of thing?

Many thanks,
Al
 
hi Al,

i have also been in the same situation..... my deck was so bad i resorted to a pressure washer, scrubbing brush, bleach and a tin of paint, however if the dirt is not that bad i would strongly not recommend the pressure washer as if there is any chip in the gel coat it will make it bigger, on the other hand i a would recommend the spray bleach and a toothbrush / scrubbing brush and a bit of elbow grease.

Really, it all depends on what sort of dirt you are trying to clean off, the gel coat does has quite a high tolerance to what you put on it but try not putting anything to abrasive on.

Your local chandelery will be able to also help on this subject but some household cleaning products are also just as good for this
 
i think the pressure washer works great. i have a low powered one, something like 1500 psi. i spray my boat down every now and then.
 
I guess a couple of pics might help. This is after a good power hosing today so I'm guessing it's gonna take a bit more than that :confused:

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I restored an abandoned Comet dinghy which had lain unwanted in a dark corner of our boat park - it looked dreadful, covered in green slime, and I wondered how I would ever get it to look decent. I used Jif kitchen cleaner (since renamed Cif in the UK) which is a mildly abrasive kitchen cleaner which contains a small amount of bleach. Surprisingly after a few hours work it looked like new, but I guess it depends on what caused that staining in the first place.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
Hi, I have used the pressure washer, soft scrub, and non skid cleaner techniques. I would say either non skid cleaner or soft scrub is better than the pressure washer. There is a lot of area to hit with the pressure washer, and its good for small areas only, depending on how bad the deck it. If its pretty bad I would do a couple runs with the pressure washer, then scrub away and alternate scrubbing and pressure washing....Then buy a cover for your boat.
 
Comet, Ajax, scrub brush, make a paste, scrub it in, and let it sit for a while. Scrub , rinse off, off and see how you are doing

When you get it all cleane...get some Gel Gloss and give the clean gelcoat a good soaking with that. and wipe it off with good thick terry cloth.
 
Thanks guys. I'll get stuck in the next time the rain stops and post my results and how I did it (if I manage it!).
 
hey guyz i have a new ish laser 1948** and i use a low power jet wash on it all the time since i have no places where the gelcoas is coing off it cant really get under the gelcoat to lift it off. that yellow stuff i see in the picture is limescale and we see it alot on the non cleaned boat at the sailing club. its really simple to get rid off all you need is any toilet cleaner with limescale remover, but this involves some elbow grease!

i would avise a careful going over with a low power jetwash. to remove the dirt and then the elobw grease and toilet cleaner begin!

a little scret for you guyz is "harpic" its sold in most domestic shops and large supermarkets in the uk and its some pretty awesome stuff just apply with a aponge type thing, leave for a wile and rinse it off removes all the yellow rubbish without the use of elbow grease! i not sure if its avalable outside the u.k. but i cant see why not.
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Equal parts Simple Green, Bleach, and water makes a good non-abrasive cleaner/mildew remover if you need it. However, I am not sure it will tackle the orange stains. It also appears you've got some work to do where the main sheet block/hiking strap bolts to the deck.
 
Re: Laser deck cleaning (& protection after)

gouvernail; When you get it all cleane...get some Gel Gloss and give the clean gelcoat a good soaking with that. and wipe it off with good thick terry cloth.[/quote said:
What is this stuff? Once I am happy I've got my deck as clean as it's going to get, I'd like to protect it for the future, but don't want to paint it, and don't want it to end up slippery.

My deck's so old it's quite yellowed, which is OK; I just got new hull numbers and was able to find a vinyl color called "Oyster" that almost matches the old deck : )
 
Re: Laser deck cleaning (& protection after)

What is this stuff? Once I am happy I've got my deck as clean as it's going to get, I'd like to protect it for the future, but don't want to paint it, and don't want it to end up slippery.

My deck's so old it's quite yellowed, which is OK; I just got new hull numbers and was able to find a vinyl color called "Oyster" that almost matches the old deck : )

I used a deck cleaner with PTEF and scrubbed it on with a scotchbrite pad. I think it's a Starbrite product. Very nice.
 
Just went thru the same and I used "Bar Keepers Friend" a kind of cleaning powder ($4) and it did a great job.
 

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