water, using a damp, clean mop. Rubber heel marks,
the deck with sealer. Allow the sealer to dry, and then
grease, and dirt may be removed with a rag moistened
apply a second coat of sealer to complete the job.
with paint thinner or by using fine steel wool and soap.
After washing and after the deck is completely dry, the
NONSKID DECK TREADS
tile may be buffed with a buffing machine or it may
Nonskid deck treads are similar to a coarse emery
be given a coat of wax and allowed to dry without
cloth. The treads, which are approximately 6 inches
polishing. A slip-resistant water emulsion type of
wide and 24 inches long, are installed at the head and
floor wax is available and should be used when
foot of ladders and at each side of doors with high
possible.
coarnings that are used for continuous traffic. The
If a high gloss is desired, the dried wax may be
treads are generally placed about 2 inches apart.
buffed with a polishing machine. To conserve wax and
The treads, which have a pressure-sensitive
reduce maintenance, a deck should be buffed several
adhesive backing, are cut from rolls or ordered in
times before it is rewaxed. The deck may only require
boxes of 50 each. The comers of the treads should be
rewaxing in the traffic lanes once a week. If dirty spots
rounded before installation. Nonskid deck treads may
are wiped up promptly with a damp rag and the areas
be installed over finish paint or primers and over deck
are immediately repolished, a complete refinishing
tile, provided the surface is free of grease, oil, floor
job may be deferred for a long time.
wax, and dirt or dust. If nonskid deck treads are
Do not apply lacquer, plastic, or other hard
applied to unpainted steel decks, all dirt, rust, and
finishes to deck coverings. These finishes tend to
foreign matter must be removed by wire brushing. The
become yellow and to wear off in traffic.
installation of these treads over a poorly prepared steel
The most painstaking and careful maintenance of
deck coverings may be wasted through careless
After the nonskid deck treads are installed, they
treatment. The legs of furniture, especially chairs and
should be rolled with a weighted roller. The edges
other movable pieces, should be properly fitted with
must then be sealed with an approved beading sealer.
rubber tips to prevent scratching and denting of the
deck covering. Nonslip rubber tips are available.
MAINTENANCE OF DECK COVERINGS
Heavy objects should not be dragged across resilient
deck coverings unless they are protected. Also, deck
Deck coverings should not be washed more often
coverings should be protected with cover cloths and
than necessary.
scrap materials during painting and during shipyard
When necessary, they should be mopped with a
overhauls.
damp mop, using a synthetic detergent solution. Two
tablespoons of cleaner per gallon of warm potable
water is recommended. Deck coverings should not be
SUMMARY
flooded with detergent solution; only a limited
quantity of solution should be used. Using excessive
With the knowledge gained on emergency repairs
quantities of water or detergent solution is damaging
of small boats and the assistance of experienced
to the deck covering and may cause the covering to
personnel, you should be able to keep your craft
come loose from the deck.
operational until permanent repairs can be made. And
Deck coverings should not be cleaned with strong
if the need arises, the repair or replacement of the
alkaline soaps, abrasive cleaning powders, or salt
various types of deck coverings may be made,
water. All water, cleaning compounds, and dirt should
provided that the proper materials and equipment are
available to complete the job.
be removed and the deck rinsed with clean, fresh
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