Toluene (Toluol or Winter Thinner) Cleaning Inflatables and Fenders

[timj]

I have some very sun damaged PVC fenders and Aquapro dinghy. I am told that the most effective cleaner is Toluene.It is I suspect fairly toxic?
Does anyone have experience with it's use?

Just tried a little and it does seem to remove that black grunge

[zeehag]

will clean it--wear respirator, lots of ventilation. is liver toxic. not just fairly so.

[capttman]

Bad stuff it is wear gloves and respirator but it works

[Bash]

Nasty stuff.

It will work for a while, but every time you try that trick the sludge will come back faster.

Better to invest in some fender covers.

[S/V Illusion]

Toluene will break down the plasticizers meaning it will remove the surface grime but make the fenders MORE prone to attract dirt and get sticky to the touch. In other words, this cure is worse than the disease.

[Astrid]

Bad stuff it is wear gloves and respirator but it works

just don't add nitric acid, heat and a catalyst.

[timj]

So is there any effective cleaning method? I have tried Simple Green, turpentine and some boat cleaners
But all seem ineffectual?

[capttman]

Clorox soft scrub.....

[CarlF]

Take a look at Sea Glow from Island Girl for white plastic and vinyl like fenders. I haven't used it but it has a huge non-boat following among guys who don't like their white sneaker soles to turn yellow.Evidently it's even a verb - "seaglowing" your shoes

Seaglow?Cleansing Lotion & Conditioner

Carl

Here's a video of a guy cleaning his sneakers. This makes boat guys look sane..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bynzfjk9MDA

[HopCar]

Don't use acetone. It causes the same problems. Don't use these to clean your power cords either. Look for vinyl cleaners. Marinco makes one for cleaning power cords that works well on fenders.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Toluene will break down the plasticizers meaning it will remove the surface grime but make the fenders MORE prone to attract dirt and get sticky to the touch. In other words, this cure is worse than the disease.

I have used acetone, toluene, MEK and laquer thinner. Trouble is I cant remember which ones worked best! at least one of them leaves the vinyl a little sticky.
Just do it outdoors. Put 2 layers of latex gloves on, that should last for a quick project. if longer you may have to change them. Nitrile gloves may be a little better but dont fit snug. I've just used my hands for years.....
Being an ex safety and health engineer, I read all the MSDS's. If you go as far as finding the details... yea MEK kills rats eventually, they inject it directly into them until finally the rat is full of it and develops cancer. Arghhh.. a splach on your hands evaporates in seconds. To each his own I guess...

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I have used acetone, toluene, MEK and laquer thinner. Trouble is I cant remember which ones worked best! at least one of them leaves the vinyl a little sticky.
Just do it outdoors. Put 2 layers of latex gloves on, that should last for a quick project. if longer you may have to change them. Nitrile gloves may be a little better but dont fit snug. I've just used my hands for years.....
Being an ex safety and health engineer, I read all the MSDS's. If you go as far as finding the details... yea MEK kills rats eventually, they inject it directly into them until finally the rat is full of it and develops cancer. Arghhh.. a splach on your hands evaporates in seconds. To each his own I guess...

Acetone & MEK is a dry solvent and will dissolve nitrile gloves, latex works best. But just the opposite for paint thinner, latex is a natural product as well as mineral spirits.

[Marksman]

Mr. kleen magic sponge is pretty effective and is far more ecco friendly, did a nice job on the Walker Bay dink too, looks almost new again.