Cleaning tips ..

[Nostrodamus]

It is time to give the boat a good going over for next years cruising.

I have picked up some really good tips from the forum such as

1) Patio cleaner for teak
2) Toothpaste, and brasso for the plastic hatches
3) Lemon for cleaning the discoloured bow

Just wondered if anyone one had any more trade secrets, cleaning products or tips they had picked up along the way that may help bring the boat to the best I can make her.

 

[tarik]

cleaning tips

I usually find a good portion of elbow grease sometimes works.


D

 

[TopDonkey]

Oxalic acid (powder) is brilliant at cleaning aged, yellowed fiberglass, you barely even have to scrub it and it brings things up like new again, and you can use it on teak too where it removes everything and brings that up like new too, its my new all purpose cleaning chemical !

 

[fireball]

It is time to give the boat a good going over for next years cruising.

I have picked up some really good tips from the forum such as

1) Patio cleaner for teak
2) Toothpaste, and brasso for the plastic hatches
3) Lemon for cleaning the discoloured bow

Just wondered if anyone one had any more trade secrets, cleaning products or tips they had picked up along the way that may help bring the boat to the best I can make her.

Patio cleaner for teak ... but don't get the Patio furniture oil - it's somewhat slippery!! Made the first couple of sails quite interesting - then we sluiced through with seawater ....
Mind U - JFM doesn't like teakoil ... and that seems reasonable to me - so may try not doing it this year.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Oxalic acid (powder) is brilliant at cleaning aged, yellowed fiberglass, you barely even have to scrub it and it brings things up like new again, and you can use it on teak too where it removes everything and brings that up like new too, its my new all purpose cleaning chemical !

Any idea what it is called in France or how to get any?

 

[nigel1]

oxalique acide is the translation in French. No idea where you would purchase, but I'm sure if you asked around someone would know.

 

[kieronriley]

cleaning

harpic limescale remover toilet cleaner will do all the jobs you have talked of and is easily available and cheap,i will leave the french traslation to someone else.Kieron

 

[TopDonkey]

Any idea what it is called in France or how to get any?

have a look on Ebay, thats where i got mine, if you choose international search, and put oxalic acid in, you should get plenty of hits

 

[Vara]

Any idea what it is called in France or how to get any?

What he said, can be bought from painting and decorating shops or a quincaillerie.

AFAIK not available from supermarkets.

 

[VO5]

To keep the bowls in the heads sparkling white and clean, fill bowl with fresh water. Drop in two steradent tablets. Leave overnight. Flush and rinse. Then fill with fresh water to keep away nasty niffs.

 

[ProDave]

And let me mention Aldi Caravan Cleaner once more.

 

[pete]

I have found these amazing for dirty marks on fibreglass as well as many other places. They are often sold in the pound shops and only need water.
They do not seem to abrasive but I suppose they must be slightly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JML-Doktor-Power-Magic-Eraser/dp/B001PNAP10

 

[svaha]

Any idea what it is called in France or how to get any?

Leclerc had some on the shelf yesterday in the gardening section.

Regards martin

 

[Nostrodamus]

I also someone mentioning Ottawa Oil or something although I have no idea what it does.

What is good on masts and cleats?

I got told by a rigger to clean lines in cold water as hot is no good for them.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Ciff Cream Lemon Cleaner

Ciff Cream Lemon Cleaner. Used on grey coach roof coaming sides to remove a few seasons stains. Brought the grey colour up very good and produced a nice even sheen without a high gloss that a cutting paste may produce. For my old GRP this is a better finish. Wash away with plenty of fresh water and wax as required. Also works well on hulls and gives a decent surface to polish up and then wax as appropriate. Old aluminium window frames, no problem, a good buff with Ciff produces a lustre that doesn't show off dings and dents like a polish.

A wonder product? Not quite, but for old boats it is appropriate. It is a very mild scouring agent, so best not to use it if you have a very high gloss finish surface.

http://www.unilever.co.uk/brands/homecarebrands/cif.aspx

 

[Nina Lucia]

How about this one, did anybody used this
http://www.rochemarine.co.uk/products/Spotless-Stainless.html ?
I was thinking to buy some at the London Boat Show......

 

[Nostrodamus]

I got some Oxalic Acid. They disguised it in France by calling it Acide Oxalique. Tricky buggers these French.
It is in crystal form so can anyone tell me the ratio to mix it.
I need to clean my hull.
Thanks

 

[Vara]

I got some Oxalic Acid. They disguised it in France by calling it Acide Oxalique. Tricky buggers these French.
It is in crystal form so can anyone tell me the ratio to mix it.
I need to clean my hull.
Thanks

About 100g a litre. Dissolves better in hot water. If any crystals precipitate out on cooling no prob.

It has a level of toxicity so best to avoid ingestion or skin contact.

 

[Nostrodamus]

About 100g a litre. Dissolves better in hot water. If any crystals precipitate out on cooling no prob.

It has a level of toxicity so best to avoid ingestion or skin contact.

Thank you.
Was just reading about it on another thread and getting it to stick to the hull when the boat i out.

 

[onesea]

I was taught by me mum, and it seems to work.

Sugar Soap kills mildew and mold...