cmedsailor
Well-Known Member
Is there an easy way (some kind of product probably) to clean exhaust fumes from the hull (not much luckily)? I don't mind if I need to wax it afterwards, because I am planning to anyway.
Thanks
Thanks
Cleaning exhaust fumes from hull
- Thread starter cmedsailor
- Start date
Tony Cross
Well-Known Member
I dissolve several spoons full of Vanish Oxy-Action in fairly hot water and put it on with a small brush (a cleaning brush, not a paint brush). I keep brushing it in to get the worst of it off and then repeat the process with a sponge. You want to get as much liquid on the stain as possible and keep the liquid on there (so many reapplications). I think Vanish Oxy-Action must contain oxalyic acid and that's what does the business? For anything left a few of those white "magic eraser" sponge things removes all the remaining bits. A good polish afterwards is a must of course.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
If straightforward carbon/oil contamination I use acetone - iron-oxide staining needs a gel of oxalic acid, use one of the standard gelling agents.
I haven't tried it but old-fashioned green Swarfega was recommended to me by a Dutchman...
I haven't tried it but old-fashioned green Swarfega was recommended to me by a Dutchman...
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Second the Oxalyic acid based products... works a treat!
PCUK
Well-Known Member
How about wood burning stove glass cleaner. It takes off burnt on soot from glass immediately. Don't know what it does to GRP though, although it's not particularly toxic. Worth a try maybe.
VicS
Well-Known Member
No, Vanish Oxi Action does not contain oxalic acid or anything similar. I dont even understand why anyone thinks it contains oxalic acid!
The powder contains what is commonly know as sodium percarbonate, which is a source of hydrogen peroxide bleach, sodium carbonate and a whole list of minor ingredients including surfactants.
The liquid products (spray , gel, etc) contain hydrogen peroxide.
Vara
Well-Known Member
The exhaust stains will be assorted greasy exhaust products, I use Cif cream cleaner followed by three or four layers of heavy duty wax...makes it easier to clean next time.
I was wary of the original cream cleaners, however the latest ones seem to be less abrasive with more detergent and seem to work very well.
Can't see what Oxalic acid will bring to the party, it's a splendid cleaning agent but not for grease/oil.
I was wary of the original cream cleaners, however the latest ones seem to be less abrasive with more detergent and seem to work very well.
Can't see what Oxalic acid will bring to the party, it's a splendid cleaning agent but not for grease/oil.
sunquest
Well-Known Member
Traffic film remover works well. Use a fairly strong dilution takes it straight off, no pfaffing around, simples.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
The majority of mine comes off with a gelcoat cleaner. The remainder usually clears with the wax polish, though I use the slightly abrasive colorback polish from Starbright on the exposed stern which has dulled a bit in the sun, followed by loads of wax.
cmedsailor
Well-Known Member
Just to add a picture of what I am trying to clean. As you can see, luckily, the problem is not much (hopefully that also means that I am not much over-prop!!).
PS: Oh, yes I know. The antifouling paint was in a total mess. But the water pressure thing cleaned everything perfect.
PS: Oh, yes I know. The antifouling paint was in a total mess. But the water pressure thing cleaned everything perfect.
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Tony Cross
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Vic. It's the name (Oxy-Action) and that it works well that that made me wonder whether it contained oxalyic acid.
Stork_III
Well-Known Member
Autoglym Engine & Machine Cleaner works a treat. Spray on, wipe off. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1407...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
RichardS
N/A
I tried various household cleaners and also oxalic acid on the black carbon exhaust stains but found Peek metal / grp polish worked best of all.
Richard
Richard
Breizh
Active Member
Fenwicks Caravan Cleaner will do the job. I used to use it on motorhomes, caravans & boats. You can also finish it off with their other product, 'Bobby Dazler' which puts a protective coat on too...
Website is here: http://www.fenwicks.info/caravan/index.php/products
They supply all the other products for cleaning pipes, heads, spray hoods (awnings) which are really good and actually work...
Breizh.
Website is here: http://www.fenwicks.info/caravan/index.php/products
They supply all the other products for cleaning pipes, heads, spray hoods (awnings) which are really good and actually work...
Breizh.
Gwylan
Well-Known Member
Y10, expensive oxalic acid gel, but only need a small amount and it keeps in the pot for ages. Useful for cleaning around the base of stanchions and other odd and rusted spots.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I find that Easyclean works well. Spray on, leave for ten minutes, wipe off. repeat for the worst staining.
I'm pretty sure it's just a dilute common acid - the smell is very familiar from school chemistry lessons.
I'm pretty sure it's just a dilute common acid - the smell is very familiar from school chemistry lessons.
Hydrozoan
Well-Known Member
For unburnt hydrocarbons, a detergent cleaner designed for degreasing applications is far more likely to be efficient than an acid or an oxidising/bleaching agent.
Sceptical that my black streaks were from the toerail per se (aluminium corrosion products are not typically black), I found a caravan forumite who had noticed that his occurred not below his aluminium gutter, but at the back where rainwater ran off unhindered. He concluded that it was road traffic film (in an urban area) and ended up using Autoglym Engine and Machine cleaner which, as Stork III says, is simply ‘spray on and wipe off’ (and for me at most two quick goes even for heavy exhaust staining).
Whilst he had found that very good, and kept to it, the caravanner expected that other cleaners designed for hydrocarbons would also have been effective. On the same basis, I expect that the following would (or might) work effectively on exhaust staining: Charles_Reed’s Dutchman’s Swarfega (and Charles’ acetone, though I avoid that for safety reasons); PCUK’s woodburner glass cleaner (check there’s no abrasive ingredient), Sunquest’s traffic film remover and Breizh’s Caravan Cleaner.
No doubt other products will work eventually – acid and cream cleaners do often contain detergents, and elbow grease itself often has some beneficial effect – by why struggle?
Sceptical that my black streaks were from the toerail per se (aluminium corrosion products are not typically black), I found a caravan forumite who had noticed that his occurred not below his aluminium gutter, but at the back where rainwater ran off unhindered. He concluded that it was road traffic film (in an urban area) and ended up using Autoglym Engine and Machine cleaner which, as Stork III says, is simply ‘spray on and wipe off’ (and for me at most two quick goes even for heavy exhaust staining).
Whilst he had found that very good, and kept to it, the caravanner expected that other cleaners designed for hydrocarbons would also have been effective. On the same basis, I expect that the following would (or might) work effectively on exhaust staining: Charles_Reed’s Dutchman’s Swarfega (and Charles’ acetone, though I avoid that for safety reasons); PCUK’s woodburner glass cleaner (check there’s no abrasive ingredient), Sunquest’s traffic film remover and Breizh’s Caravan Cleaner.
No doubt other products will work eventually – acid and cream cleaners do often contain detergents, and elbow grease itself often has some beneficial effect – by why struggle?
Momac
Well-Known Member
Last year a friend suggested Silky Cream Cleaner . It works on black streaks and is an excellent cleaner for GRP. I imagine it would work on the exhaust marks.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-si...2jESeMgYPvcoevcibWXhEQ5xKl4j-qTEQwaAk0m8P8HAQ
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-si...2jESeMgYPvcoevcibWXhEQ5xKl4j-qTEQwaAk0m8P8HAQ
tolhurstorganic
Well-Known Member
Washing soda from decent ironmongers. Cheap, fast and great for keeping your sinks drains and anything clean. Sugar soap also does same job.
jwilson
Well-Known Member
The large dark stain is oil/soot from the exhaust, any strong household detergent should clean this. The small brown stain just below the exhaust is a rust stain from the "stainless" steel exhaust outlet - you need oxalic acid (cheap) or a more expensive yachty product containing it for this, best used warm or in warm weather. Doesn't work well or fast if very cold.