The same properties that help provide grip for a boater’s feet can allow dirt and grime to cling to nonskid surface with tenacity. There are myriad patterns of molded-in nonskid, as well as the “sand” or grit type of nonskid. The latter can prove trickier to get squeaky clean. Let’s look at techniques for cleaning nonskid surfaces.
If the deck or cockpit sole is soiled mostly by the grime from foot traffic and, perhaps, the randomly dropped pretzel, a boat brush with medium bristles combined with soapy water usually gets the job done on nonskid. For grit-type nonskid, you might want to use a stiff brush.
Some nonskid cleaning jobs prove tougher. Maybe your boat has been left to the ravages of seabirds. Or perhaps your berth is next to the Travelift slip and the boat is befouled by diesel exhaust residue. Or you’re a fisherman with bloody decks. Or, possibly, the boat’s simply been neglected. Whatever the cause, my go-to for tough nonskid cleaning is Soft Scrub With Bleach. This contains enough abrasive to get between the peaks of the nonskid and root out dirt. The bleach also helps dissolve dirt and stain particles while sanitizing as well. Wet the deck or sole, squirt the stuff directly on, and then scrub using a medium to stiff brush.
Bear in mind that Soft Scrub With Bleach produces a delayed reaction. You will clean the surface, and it will look good. Return the next day, and the surface will be absolutely gleaming. I count on this delayed effect to successfully tackle one of the toughest boat-cleaning jobs that I have come across: stains from oak leaves.
I have, on occasion, in the fall, parked my boat where oak leaves can fall into it. This happens between the time I haul and when I have finished winterization and covered it. Similarly, in spring, the boat sits uncovered for a short time while it’s made ready for the water. If oak leaves blow in, especially when accompanied by rain, the resulting tannin stains resist most efforts at removal. Even Soft Scrub With Bleach seems to do little, except to maybe fade the stains, which take the form of the leaves themselves down to every detail of petiole, vein and midrib.
Until the next day. Then the stains, having had the scrub treatment, simply vanish after some time in the sun. This is a coupling, no doubt, of the bleaching power of sunlight and the chemical power of the bleach. In fact, it brings up one shortcoming of using Soft Scrub With Bleach: It leaves a residue that is the devil to rinse off completely. You think you’ve rinsed it clear—but it needs more rinsing.
Read Next: How to Select and Install SeaDek Nonskid
Keep this residue in mind. For one thing, if you clean your nonskid gunwales today, tomorrow morning’s dew might cause white powdery streaks down the topsides. Another thing to consider: Make sure that you don’t splash the canvas or upholstery with this cleaner. It can break down plastic and will leave bleach spots on fabric. Another caveat: Don’t use Soft Scrub With Bleach on smooth, shiny gelcoat parts of your boat. It will dull them.
Finally, the spatter from scrubbing with Soft Scrub With Bleach will spot your clothes, unless you are very careful. Personally, I don my foul-weather bibs and shod my feet in rubber (or go barefoot) for this job. I have destroyed fishing shirts and pairs of shorts in the past. But my nonskid? It gleams.
