Black pads on swim deck leaching color

[amosh]

Hi I have a 91 Malibu flightcraft outboard boat. 21 ft long. There are little mini swim deck/ steps on either side of the motor with a hard plastic/ rubberized type surface on them. I believe they are moulded in, but when they get wet, they leach black onto whatever touches them. Which equals black water drips and foot prints all over the boat and upholstery. Does anyone know if there is a way to seal them so this stops happening? Or can they be replaced with new ones some how? Or am I just SOL and get to deal with it? Thanks

 

[Grub54891]

How about a pic of them. Sounds unusual for that to happen, unless the rubber is dry rotted, as in an old tire that gets dry and chalky. It might be beyond something like armor all or protectant.

 

[Woodonglass]

I paint some Acetone on them and scrup with a stiff bristle brush.

 

[amosh]

Thanks I'll try the acetone. And will try to upload pics. They are in good physically looking condition. No visible rot I mean, just seem to bleed

 

[amosh]

Do I need to be cautious around the gel coat with the acetone or is it not really a big deal

 

[Woodonglass]

No, Acetone will not harm your gelcoat.

 

[harleyman1975]

even something like a high alkali soap like purple power will work to strip off the "dead" surface.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Can you show us a picture of the mats? If cleaning them doesn't stop this effect, they sound like great candidates to be removed and used as templates to create some new SeaDek pads to replace them.