folks,
the parker nonskid is really "nonskid lite".....compared to
whalers, pursuits, etc......this isnt bad, just a choice....the deep,
diamond like decks are impossible to clean......they also are
impossible to slip upon....parker nonskid is cleanable and is
slippable in extreme situations.....compromise.
i am continually using starbrite polish on my gelcoated surfaces
......i start at the cabin roof and work downward.....when then hull
topsides are done, i go back up and start on the cabin roof...sort of
like maint on the golden gate bridge.......there is a fascinating inter
play of washing and polishing; the more you wash the boat (i wash
it every time out), the longer the polish works (beads), and the more
frequently you polish, the better it washes up....the dirt doesnt get down
into the gelcoat pores....not only pride is at stake in the gelcoat wars,
but check out the awlgripping prices!
but i digress.....i did something last year which i realize now i was stupid not to have done when i got the boat: i bought an orbital polisher
from westmarine for about $70!.......it doesnt eliminate hard work, for
if you run it over any ridges, it will take the gelcoat right off it......but,
it DOES work like a charm on the nonskid, ie the rooftop and the side
decks......cleans and waxes it quickly and neatly.....follow it with a regular
bath towel to knock off the haze and pull up the shine to max.
now, the tough issue for me has been parker`s decision NOT to use a
nonskid approach in the COCKPIT.......to the positives, it can be kept far
cleaner than a nonskid, or you can paint on a nonskid diy cheaply and
easily if you want one....to the negative, it DOES allow even good boots
or shoes to slip at times...the perfect deck is yet to be produced!.....i
continue to contemplate either going with interthane-plus with nonskid
powder vs. one of the high grade rubber mats, ie TREADMASTER......
havent decided yet......last winter for the first time, i used the westmarine
toy to do the cockpit deck with the starbrite (talk about fussy....the blue
bottle is too strong and will take gelcoat, but the white bottle doesnt clean
at all......i mix them 50:50 under goldilocks` principle)....it LOOKED GREAT
.......it WAS slipperier and to an unsafe degree.....i dont plan to do that
again....dan