brians
Member
Is there any reason why I cannot use sugar soap to clean the GRP deck on my boat? It works so well on other surfaces.
Sugar soap and GRP
- Thread starter brians
- Start date
aidancoughlan
Member
Have a look at...http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/pbo/Number/492574/an/0/page/12/view/collapsed/
seems like Sugar soap is out, and BTW from what I have heard Jif/Cif (although one user recommends it in the thread above) is the worst thing on the planet to clean GRP with.
Several posts in the past suggest that Oxalic Acid is good for GRP cleaning (and I've noticed it is the base ingredient in the likes of StarBrites Hull Cleaner product & others at the local Swindlery). I've seen posts in the past suggesting the local Chemist, or farmers supply store for getting quantities of it cheaply.
Farecla compounds (G3 etc) also seem to be popular for bringing back up the shine on an old GRP hull. (see previous posts)
seems like Sugar soap is out, and BTW from what I have heard Jif/Cif (although one user recommends it in the thread above) is the worst thing on the planet to clean GRP with.
Several posts in the past suggest that Oxalic Acid is good for GRP cleaning (and I've noticed it is the base ingredient in the likes of StarBrites Hull Cleaner product & others at the local Swindlery). I've seen posts in the past suggesting the local Chemist, or farmers supply store for getting quantities of it cheaply.
Farecla compounds (G3 etc) also seem to be popular for bringing back up the shine on an old GRP hull. (see previous posts)
Vara
Active member
On the face of it there doesn't seem to be any reason not to use sugar soap to clean GRP,but it's use is not recommended for metals especially aluminium and brass(probably as it is quite strongly alkaline)so probably not ideal for cleaning boats where it it would be difficult to avoid splash over.
Rabbie
New member
As far as I am concerned there is no reason why you can't use sugar soap on your GRP hull. I have been using it for many years on several boats and never experienced any problems. On the contrary, used with appropriate care only once a year when fitting out I found it the best and cheapest method of getting rid of stubborn grime. Similarly, used with care, pressure washers do no harm. Its idiots who squirt away too close to gel-coat and seams who ask for trouble - and usually get /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif it!.
oldsaltoz
New member
G'day Brians,
Using any abrasive compound to clean is not a good idea on a relatively soft finish such as gelcoat or paint etc, it will remove the crud, but leave minute scores/scratched on the surface that will quickly attract and trap more crud. The end result is more frequent cleaning and more crud.
Chemical cleaning will remove the crud and not score / scratch the surface, however, great care is needed to ensure the correct strength and exposure times are followed, or you may end up etching the surface and no better off, other than not having to rub and scrub.
After many years of searching for the best combination, time taken, cost, risk of personal exposure to chemicals, effort required and so on; I have come to the conclusion that chemical cleaning does less harm when used as directed and more important..... always apply a coat of polish or other protective coating as soon as cleaning has completed.
I hope this helps.
Andavagoodnewyear......
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Using any abrasive compound to clean is not a good idea on a relatively soft finish such as gelcoat or paint etc, it will remove the crud, but leave minute scores/scratched on the surface that will quickly attract and trap more crud. The end result is more frequent cleaning and more crud.
Chemical cleaning will remove the crud and not score / scratch the surface, however, great care is needed to ensure the correct strength and exposure times are followed, or you may end up etching the surface and no better off, other than not having to rub and scrub.
After many years of searching for the best combination, time taken, cost, risk of personal exposure to chemicals, effort required and so on; I have come to the conclusion that chemical cleaning does less harm when used as directed and more important..... always apply a coat of polish or other protective coating as soon as cleaning has completed.
I hope this helps.
Andavagoodnewyear......
<font color="blue"> </font>
duncan
Active member
Despite the link, and the screaming headline in one post DO NOT USE SUGAR SOAP there is no good reason given for not using sugar soap; only the suggestion that there are better alternatives.
A lot will of course depend on the exact nature of the 'dirt' you wish to remove.
Have a nice time cleaning!
A lot will of course depend on the exact nature of the 'dirt' you wish to remove.
Have a nice time cleaning!
peterb
New member
"Sugar soap" is a fairly ill-defined term. My dictionary describes it as a mixture of washing soda and soap, bu I'm not sure if that is always right.
Washing soda could certainly attack aluminium, but I can't see any reason why it should attack GRP or stainless; soap should be fairly harmless. Maybe the first thing is to find out exactly what the "sugar soap" is?
Washing soda could certainly attack aluminium, but I can't see any reason why it should attack GRP or stainless; soap should be fairly harmless. Maybe the first thing is to find out exactly what the "sugar soap" is?
VicS
Well-known member
A solution of sugar soap has about the right pH to be based on washing soda (sodium carbonate) viz 10 tested with pH paper.