Sugar soap and GRP

Champagne Murphy

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The present Mrs Murphy has just discovered the benefits of sugar soap, it seems very effective around the house. Does it work as well on GRP hulls, or is it likely to cause problems?
 
The present Mrs Murphy has just discovered the benefits of sugar soap, it seems very effective around the house. Does it work as well on GRP hulls, or is it likely to cause problems?

Present, as in currently in the room with you, or present, as in possibly not the future? :)

As for sugar soap on GRP, isn't it sodium carbonate and usually used for degreasing paintwork etc so can't think it would harm GRP?

Richard
 
I don't exactly know what's in it, but I always thought it was more or less ordinary soap. The "sugar" name refers to its appearance in powder form, it doesn't actually contain any sugar.

I can't imagine it will harm GRP, it will work as a cleaner as well as it does anywhere else, but there are perhaps more effective substances you can use on GRP but not on your walls (if trying to remove grease, I would use acetone rather than soap, for instance).

Pete
 
The present Mrs Murphy has just discovered the benefits of sugar soap, it seems very effective around the house. Does it work as well on GRP hulls, or is it likely to cause problems?

The composition of sugar soap varies IIRC but is always mildly alkaline. It is therefore fairly good at removing greasy stains and grease bound dirt from domestic surfaces.

I suspect the brown water line stain and other dirt on boat hulls and decks may be bound by light calcium carbonate deposits. Acidic cleaners are therefore more effective.
 
I have used it regularly on my boat to clean bilges and lockers prior to re-painting. It works very well and is very cheap (because it doesn't say Marine on the container!). Also it doesn't produce any nasty fumes. No sign of it harming anything, me included.
 
I have used it regularly on my boat to clean bilges and lockers prior to re-painting. It works very well and is very cheap (because it doesn't say Marine on the container!). Also it doesn't produce any nasty fumes. No sign of it harming anything, me included.

Now there's a user name that instantly caught my eye! Are you a musician or opera lover?
 
I have used it regularly on my boat to clean bilges and lockers prior to re-painting. It works very well and is very cheap (because it doesn't say Marine on the container!). Also it doesn't produce any nasty fumes. No sign of it harming anything, me included.

+1 and it also keeps mildew at bay without encouraging paint to peel (as bleach does). Mum has been round boats for far longer than I and she has not found anything to beat it, neither have I.
 
I thought that might be the case. Still takes at least an opera lover to name his boat Parsifal. Thought you might be a fellow musician...

No, I cannot play any musical instrument at all. It's one of those things I would like to be able to do before I get too old.

What musical instrument do you play? Something appropriate to seafaring under sail, eg a concertina or a fiddle, or something more sophisticated?
 
No, I cannot play any musical instrument at all. It's one of those things I would like to be able to do before I get too old.

What musical instrument do you play? Something appropriate to seafaring under sail, eg a concertina or a fiddle, or something more sophisticated?

Nobody in a marina needs to fear my presence, as I need at least around a 100 people to do what I do...
 
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