steam clean GRP?????

[stefan_r]

I have just had a chap round to steam clean all my soft furnishings on board, carpets, seats, wall and ceiling coverings and was frankly amazed at the excellent results...

It led me to wonder if steam cleaning is an effective way to clean GRP as well.

I can imagine that the steam would remove all the old polishes but surely the dirt as well?? So as long as I was going to repolish after steaming is there a problem????

Anyone got any thoughts about thisbefore I make a potentially expensive mistake???????

Many thanks
Stefan

 

[Salty John]

If a lot of heat is appplied for a long period I would be a bit concerned about possible delamination in a cored hull. This has been known to happen with dark hulls in hot sunshine, but I know nothing about the relative temperatures involved.

 

[Guest]

Steam-cleaning when done well does not raise temp of cleaned article that much in fact ... it is when the operator dwells on an area that temp climbs and possible damage can occur.

The steam strikes a cold surface and initial force raises the dirt etc., the cooling effect on the steam of the surface then reduces the steam to warm water washing the crud lifted away. Having spent time steam cleaning car engines in years gone by - you could literally touch with bare hand straight after the steam had passed over ...

In the case of hot sun - that is bearing down on a surface for hours without respite .... the temp build up can be huge ......

Just thought I'd mention it ....

 

[boatmike]

There is no reason to fear damaging the GRP with steam cleaning. The effectiveness of the process can only be determined by yourself but it should do no harm at all to the gelcoat apart from removing polish

 

[Dave99]

Hot steam pressure washing is much more effective than cold water pressure washing.

 

[Bodach na mara]

I can understand an emgine block being cool after steam cleaning. There is a large mass of material there and there is good thermal conductivity.

I would be wary about cleaning GRP though. The material is less massive and thermal conductivity is low. There is a danger of the latent heat from the condensing steam raising the surface temperature to 100 C, causing expansion of the outer layer relative to inner layers and the resulting stress weakening the matrix.

I have based this on theory and have not tested it on a boat. I will not be testing it on mine either by the way!

 

[Kukri]

Very interesting; I have to cope with the "residues" of an engine (BMC 1.5) that leaked oil over several decades and am tempted to try steam cleaning the bilges... I did this once with a wooden boat and the results were very satisfactory...

 

[Momac]

I recently used my small Vax steam cleaner on carpets and my canvas canopy - with satisfactory results. A detergent spray assisted with some more stubborn dirt.
I think a few years ago I , cautiously, use the steam cleaner once on the engine bay floor and cockpit deck of my previous boat with no adverse affects.
To be honest I think detergent is as good as anything .
I would be trying Viro-sol, which I keep for heavier duty jobs (used diluted with water). Also makes a good general GRP cleaner used well diluted.
http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/2013/uk/product_detail.asp?prod_code='326'&range_sub='20'
For less demanding GRP cleaning I use Stardrops
http://www.wilko.com/multi-purpose-cleaners/stardrops-all-purpose-cleaner-750ml/invt/0080402
I also like Silky - but for not really for cleaning up oil
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-silky-cream-caravanning-accessory-p133257

.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Y10 or oxalid acid based equivalents would be better on GRP I would guess.