Clean-up tip.

[Gordonmc]

I have had many good steers from the forum... so here's one in return.

I bought a tub of industrail clean-up wipes from B&Q when In was servicing the engine some time back and left it on board. Since then I have used them for cleaning up varnish drips from deck-paint, mildew from the chain locker, fat from the stove, diesel from the tank filler, engine oil from the dipstick hole, grot from the hands and old lanolin from turnbuckles.

But the most suprising was how they shift sikaflex which normally resists everything.

Come in a big yellow and black plastic tub.

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[Evadne]

Thanks, I'll look out for them. They can go next to the disposable nappies I use for cleaning oil out of the bilges.

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[lukeyboy]

disposable nappies! what a excelent idea.

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[Forbsie]

I tried that but I can still feel the slap I got from his mother. /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie?&page=1>My Project</A>

 

[chas]

Thanks - anything that shifts sikaflex is well worth knowing about!

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[Evadne]

Re: shifting Sikaflex

Before it sets, paper towel soaked in white spirit will shift it. Unfortunate if the substrate is also soluble in white spirit though. Afterwards, razor blades or small nuclear devices only.

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[Talbot]

Re: shifting Sikaflex

acetone will shift hardened sikaflex (eventually)

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[david_e]

Good 'ol B&Q - our Ellen swears by 'em

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[celandine]

Re: shifting Sikaflex

The secret of cleaning up Sikaflex is to use meths. White spirit does not work well in my experience, but meths does. I discovered this when I used Sikaflex to seal the top of an old alcohol-filled compass. The alcohol (in fact Banda fluid - well known to teachers of a certain age) poured straight out, dissolving the uncured Sikaflex on the way. Annoying at the time, but the discovery had saved me hours of difficult cleaning up ever since.
Mick

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[Guest]

Another is ....

Oven spray foam cleaner ......

If you want spotless clean GRP to bond to, such as fitting a ES transducer tube etc. Its the boy.

If you have a leaking ES tube and want to rebond it ...... remove, break away old bonding and then spray foam cleaner ..... leave for 10 mins. Wipe off, fresh water rinse dry ..... cleanest GRP base to bond to ever !! Removes old sticky black Castor Oil like a dream.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Guest]

There is another item ....

a bit smaller than disposable nappies for mopping up .... but the ladies will object !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[BrendanS]

It's a tip which has often been touted for over wintering...chuck a few nappies in the bilge to absorb water. They do the job well.

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[Guest]

Single skin hull !

The amount of condensation etc. my boat collects !! in bilge ..... I need a Supermarket to supply enough !!

I have a single skin hull without inner moulding !!



<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Single skin hull !

So, in your setup, don't use this technique?

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[Guest]

It was tongue in cheek !!!!

I have an auto pump ........... !!



<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[BrendanS]

Re: It was tongue in cheek !!!!

Good for you!

I hope it works all winter, and in the meantime, those of us with smaller bilges might still use the nappies to absorb the small amount of condensation and other water ingress that occurs?

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[MainlySteam]

Re: shifting Sikaflex

Mick - I can back you up. I use meths too and have found no need to look for anything better. Has the advantage that it cleans the surface as well ready for whatever follows and dries quickly with no residue.

John

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[Guest]

As a few know ..... I

returned to UK to find my boat suffering increased draft !!!! In other words half sunk ........

I now have a small Rule pump and float switch sitting in my bilges ......

What happened ? The cockpit drains blocked with leaves etc. and water filled up from rain etc. This trickled / found its way down into cockpit bilge - to engine bilge - to cabin bilge .......

Hopefully having calculated probable ampage required over a period - this pump and switch should provide reasonable cover for me for about 1 year !!!!!!! without need to keep charging battery. Basically because the pump will run for so short a period each time ----- if it does ------- that consumption will be extremely limited.

Anyway she sits in a drying berth and its not possible for her to go 'under' !!!! Fingers crossed .......


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[AlanPound]

Re: As a few know ..... I

This is a classic case for a small solar panel...

Alan

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[Guest]

Re: As a few know ..... I

Thats keeping my car battery topped up till I return !!!! Couldn't afford two of 'em at the time - was buying wedding rings etc. SHssshssh keep that quiet please !!!!!

Local CarMart offered a small job for 24.99 including croc-clips and cigar-lighter plug etc.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !