Can you restore old fenders?

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by gbohner

I use a paint brush cleaner which is available at Ace Hardware and Home Depot. This is NOT a mineral spirits stuff. This is meant for soaking paint brushes to remove
dried paint. It works as good as toluene or acetone without making the plastic sticky.

Yes. And without the "work" i.e., scrubbing, rubbing, pushing, bending, and all the rest of the things associated with abrasives, like Mr Eraser. It works BETTER, far better than acetone, which I had used for a long time before i was turned onto this stuff.

Unless you cover them, this is the easiest and best working liquid cleaning method I have found in 35 years, including all the ideas expressed in the thread.

I don't bother waxing them again. They get dirty again. Why? Other docks and the edge of mine, 'cuz it belongs to the marina and I don't clean their stuff anymore than they clean mine.

I've resurrected two 20 year old ones to brand new look and keep all six of mine clean that way.

How long? Mindless work, but all of five minutes each for a 6 x 23.

[sruszak]

Has anyone tried wrapping a fender in rescue tape?

[SVTatia]

Not sure how long the tape would last but that would a very expensive old fender...

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by sruszak

Has anyone tried wrapping a fender in rescue tape?

If the fender has two attachment loops built in, turn it upside down, and make a cover for it, any heavy canvas will do. I've cleaned them with acetone, it takes off the dead plastic material. For covers, I've even seen T shirts used, track pants legs, or colored canvas that matches the sail covers.

Ann

[Nicholson58]

I start cleaning with bleach. I soaked all of ours for weeks in our pool.

After that, various solvents. They will never be beautiful. I only care that they don’t transfer dirt where it should not be.

BTW, off topic, has anyone else discovered how great a long skinny bumper is as a dinghy roller for getting the dinghy up the beach? Some people use two if they need to go a long way.

[Jim Cate]

BTW, off topic, has anyone else discovered how great a long skinny bumper is as a dinghy roller for getting the dinghy up the beach?

Yep, been doing this for many years... works quite well on a RIB, less well on soft bottom dinks.

Jim

[Halifax Sailor]

I use Spray Nine

[sv_pelagia]

Easy Off oven cleaner!