Sprucing up the Cockpit

[Hesper]

My 28-year-old cockpit just won't get clean anymore. No matter what I do or what product I use, it comes out looking dingy anf grey. I'm tired of the marketing hype by all the different cleaners out there, so I'm turning to the real experts - you guys.

Is there any product out there that will bring the old worn fiberglass of the cockpit and cabintop back to life without endangering my life with a slippery surface?

[jbondy]

How about the Magic Eraser?

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original

[paul323]

You'll find a number of threads that answer that question better than I - try: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...olish-wax.html as a starter.

The 3m products I prefer because they are so easy to wash off buffing pads.

Hit it with 3M Marine Rubbing Compound the 3M Finesse It. When I did, I discovered that my boat wasn't white and chalky, but a lovely warm cream color!

As an aside, I have been experimenting 3M Finesse-It on my non-skid - it works well, removing oxidation, and yet it remains non-skid. I intend to use Woody Wax (a special non-skid wax) to keep it clean.

[jjablonowski]

Over the winter my boat was stored next to a flat-roofed building, whose black roofing granules ended up on my deck and cockpit. Yes, asphalt bleeds in the rain. Yuchh!

On recommendation of local chandler, I tried this new stuff, Starbrite Nonskid Deck Cleaner, and was impressed with the results.

[mdbee]

"Soft Scrub" w/ bleach?

Works well to clean my white areas. Stains etc.

Then finish with your choice of waxes etc.

[bljones]

Are you looking to simply clean your cockpit, or make it shiny?

Softscrub works well for cleaning, but not finish rejuvenation, and it requires copious rinsing. Be very very careful not to get too enthusiastic in your scrubbing, as you may scrub off what little shine your gelcoat has left. If you want shiny, Paul 323 is on the right track. For definitive shiny check Mainesails sticky on this topic.

[JimsCAL]

See Maine Sail's sticky in this forum. Lots of great tips.

[creedence623]

I've had a great deal of success restoring the shine on my faded deck and coachroof gelcote by wet sanding it. I started with 800, moved up to 1000, and finished with 2000 grit. I topped it all off with some polish. I have no more oxidation on deck, and I was suprised to see that my 23 year old gelcote is now shinier than the 5 year old boats next to me.