Cleaning Shore Power Cables

[Bali43Cat]

After trying about 20 different chemicals/solvents - Toluene is the winner. Can find fairly cheap at any hardware/paint store.

[CaptTom]

Thanks for the tip on Toluene @Bali43Cat. Haven't tried that one yet. Can you confirm it doesn't make the plastic "sticky" after using it?

And thanks for the WebMD link @T. Lee. To quote from the article:

Products that have acetone are safe to use when you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

I try to avoid using nasty chemicals when there are feasible alternatives. But I have to call BS on any scare-mongering. Anything can be dangerous in the wrong situation. We're not talking about long-term, industrial exposure here. A can of Acetone lasts me many years, using just a tiny amount at a time, infrequently, outdoors, with good ventilation. I'm quite sure a few pub visits have done much more damage to my liver over the years than those incidental exposures ever could.

[Bali43Cat]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Thanks for the tip on Toluene @Bali43Cat. Haven't tried that one yet. Can you confirm it doesn't make the plastic "sticky" after using it?.

Yep that’s what we’ve found - strips away the grime without being too aggressive (esp vs MEK & acetone).

[Drumroll30]

I switched from the usual Marinco brand cable to Hubbell. What a difference! The Marinco always gets sticky and gross after just a couple of years. I've been using the Hubbell one for 5 years now and it still looks new and never gets sticky.