Old oil stains

[bumblefish]

What is the most effective way to remove very old oil stains from the waterline and topsides, these may have been there for a couple of years!

 

[michael_w]

Try a forum search on muratic acid/oxalic acid/Y-10 treatment. Lots of topics.

 

[ccscott49]

what material is the hull? Anyway, paint or fibreglass, try oxalic acid or straight JIF on a green scourer (mild one) that should shift it, if not polishing compound, or even Brasso, yes brasso the stuff for brass.

 

[savageseadog]

Acetone or xylene (car paint thinners)

 

[bumblefish]

Tried oxalic on small patch, did not touch it!

 

[VicS]

Y 10 usually gets good reports, but try all the domestic cleaning products SWMBO has around the house.

 

[Guest]

elbow grease ........ + scourer powder mixed with cream cleaner / touch of water ....

You could also try Deb Hand Cleaner ... the one that mechanics use before water - to remove all that engine cr*p of hands etc.

I tried years ago - gave up as I was removing the stain, but spreading anti-foul red in its place - that got caught on the cloth !!