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Tips From the Pros
How to... Protect and Shine Non-Skid Decks |
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Background - Non Skid Decks |
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The Non Skid or textured patterns on your deck are designed to provide a non slip surface for you to walk on, even when the deck is wet. These areas are usually reinforced to support your weight without bending or cracking. The two most popular patterns for this texture are diamond and random sand.
Traditionally, these surfaces were never to be waxed or polished with conventional waxes as this would make them dangerously slippery, especially when the deck, swim platform or cockpit were wet. The only way to keep them clean was constant scrubbing.
In 1999, Aurora Marine Industries invented Aurora Sure Step, the world's first polish especially made for sealing, shining and protecting the non skid deck surfaces without making them slippery.
For best results the surface must be properly cleaned and prepared with Aurora Boat Clean Plus and Aurora Boat Scrub . Failure to properly prep the surface may result in delaminating of the polish or a slippery surface.
See also "How to - Clean Non Skid Decks" |
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Aurora Sure Step is the world's first pressure sensitive polish especially made for sealing, shining and protecting the non skid areas from dirt, grime, sneaker prints, UV degradation and oxidation. The polish is easily applied, like a conventional liquid polish, and the resultant finish is a shinny surface that is slippery to dust and dirt.
Dust just blows off and dirt or sneaker prints can be hosed off or washed with the rest of the boat. When pressure is applied, however, such as the weight of a boater, this pressure creates traction. The heavier the weight the greater the traction. When the surface is wet, the traction increases even more.
Deck shoes should be worn at all times when on the boat, for safety reasons, however adequate grip will also be present to bare feet, when using the boat for swimming or other water sports. Stocking feet should be avoided.
What Others Say..
"The boating community has been sadly lacking a good product to protect non-skid that keeps it non-skid!"
"I was successful in obtaining the product in the Ft. Lauderdale area. It works great! Have let a few people know about Aurora Sure Step."
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Wet the deck with water. Spray Boat Clean Plus onto the surface and scrub the non skid surfaces with a deck brush and the smooth parts with a Marine Power Mitt.
While the surface is still wet, apply a small amount of Aurora Boat Scrub and brush the non skid deck areas in opposing directions with a deck brush or other stiff brush and use a Marine Power Mitt or cloth, to scrub the smooth areas.
Rinse with clean water and dry with a chamois or let air dry. If stains or scuff marks are still present, apply a 50/50 solution of Boat Clean Plus and Boat Scrub to the stain or scuff marks and scrub clean with a stiff brush, Marine Power Mitt or dry clean cloth. Rinse and let dry.
Aurora Boat Clean Plus and Aurora Boat Scrub are biodegradable and environment friendly and may safely be used while the boat is in the water.
Apply Aurora Sure Step with a white, high density foam paint roller. Press the Sure Step into the pores and spread it out thinly. Depending on the age of the boat and how dried out the gel coat is, more or less product will be absorbed in the first application.
When the polish dries to a haze, lightly and quickly buff the surface to a shine with a lose sewn buffing wheel on a portable drill, using the edge so that you buff out the crevices as well as the surface.
Wait 24 hours before applying a 2nd coat.
(See Boat Clean Plus, Boat Scrub and Sure Step) |
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