What is the best thing to clean non skid flooring? I have scrubbed with soap and water and the black streaks/marks remain. Shoes are not allowed on the boat and I still get the black marks. Thanks in advance!

M5016





M4916




M6732

If boat soap will not clean it and I doubt it will, you need to use a stronger cleaner. Start at the top as its the mildest and work your way down this list.

Remember, you are removing gelcoat to clean this, so go easy except with the top cleaner/wax.

If its just a spot or two, you might cheat and use a dab of automotive compound that you already own. That is even more of a gelcoat remover, so go only onto a real limited area and seldom.

Wax afterwards will keep the future scuffing marks down.

Also, I warn folks before they board that I wax my non-skid.

Hey SB and jscott, have you tried Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges? These things work great on black marks, spider spots, bird crap spots, etc.


I use 'em all the time and love 'em. They're about $4/box of four at Target & other places.

They work well, but I'll add the disclaimer for those not familiar. They are mildly (or less than) abrasive and can dull a finish on a glossy surface. That being said, if you are to the point of using other compounds that are removing gelcoat, the magic eraser would be a great alternative in my book.

Tried both and like the boat cleaners better, but thanks for the idea.

From Meguiar's web site...While washing removes loose contaminants from the surface, cleaning is intended to remove bonded surface contaminants (bugs, spider-droppings, tree sap mist) and surface defects (oxidations, swirls, scratches, water-spot etching) from the gel coat

Lightly oxidized gel coat can be restored easily with a liquid, non abrasive cleaner/wax.

Moderate to heavily oxidized gel coat will require more intense measures. The object is to remove the layer of dead, oxidized gel coat which is generally dull and dry. As long as the oxidation has not gone through the gel coat, there is a lower layer which still has life and will respond to polishing.

Meguiar's cleaners contain vital polishing oils which protect the surface from excessive scratching. Fine scratches are inevitable with any abrasive cleaner, but can be removed easily if followed by a high quality polish or wax...

In small areas - a small amount of SoftScub and a bit of water to make a very wet slurry mixure - rub in and let it sit for a couple of minutes and then go over the area with a fingernail brush. I just spent the weekend cleaning up a small Checkmate that I am bring back to life - Sand finish nonskid surface. Worked very well. ( glad its a small boat )

Add a coat of wax when done - it will clean up easier next time.

Good Luck

Afteryou slip on it and crack your head.

I wax my non-skid and alert my crew before they board. Too hard to keep it clean without some wax to help stuff to not stick to it, IMO.

I waxed my non-skid in the middle of the season last year, and ended up taking a big spill even though I was pretty careful. This year, I did not wax the non-skid at the beginning of the season, but I will when we put our boat away for the winter.

The part of non-skid that gets dirty is the cracks and crevices. Can you wax the non-skid and then hit the surface lightly with a Magic Eraser? That would leave wax where you need it and still have a less slippery surface.

My ESP has a fairly coarse texture, and I use a scrub brush and the same stuff I use on the hull for the waterline moustache: Dollar Store tub and tile cleaner. Works well.

Perhaps lightly wiping the non-skid surface with a sponge soaked in a dishwashing detergent solution would remove the wax as you desire.

I do not use Soft Scub around a boat anymore. Ruined an Inflatable with one clean-up. Once was enough for me.

Seabuddy,

What did the Soft Scrub do to the inflatable ?? Do you think it was the abrasiveness in the Soft Scrub or was is a Chemical reaction.

I know some rubber / vinyl compounds don't do well with chlorine.