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sailortype · 12-09-2021, 15:20

acetone attacks many types of plastics and vinyl. Fact.
This from the TaylorMade site:
"We recommend cleaning your fenders and vinyl buoys with a mineral spirit. You can also use any vinyl-specific cleaner (like Armor All) to clean these products."

ilanortho · 12-09-2021, 15:28

My power cord not only does duty during the summer when berthed, but all winter long it connects my boat on the hard on the filthy concrete floor where it is walked on and run over by heavy boat movers. I gave up trying to clean it after trying all the above in addition to Castrol Superclean and Xylene which I was surprised didn't touch the ground in filth.

Someone on this forum suggested FSR as a deck cleaner, and this spring I used it as after 2 years on the hard the deck was beyond filthy and I could not believe how blindingly white it left my deck, better than any other deck wash I have ever used. So I put some in a 5 gallon bucket with water and ran my power cord thru it after an hour soak; the filth came off with a minimal rub with a rag - almost no effort. I was amazed. The cord is as yellow as the day I bought it if only a bit less bright and with no shine.
And after all the above on a 34 foot boat and a long power line I still have over half a bottle of this stuff left just in case the cost is off-putting.

If I seem overly enthusiastic it only reflects years of frustration with other modalities

https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instrum...1485010&sr=8-3

svfinlandia · 12-09-2021, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstano

Why clean before you cover???

Why clean them at all? They will just get dirty again within a year.
You have probably already destroyed the surface by using a Scotch-Brite pad on them anyway.

Al, S/V Finlandia

ilanortho · 12-09-2021, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by svfinlandia

Why clean them at all? They will just get dirty again within a year.
You have probably already destroyed the surface by using a Scotch-Brite pad on them anyway.

Al, S/V Finlandia

Got so filthy it was painful to look at and also sheds its filth on my clean deck which then grinds into my gelcoat.

goboatingnow · 12-09-2021, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortype

acetone attacks many types of plastics and vinyl. Fact.
This from the TaylorMade site:
"We recommend cleaning your fenders and vinyl buoys with a mineral spirit. You can also use any vinyl-specific cleaner (like Armor All) to clean these products."

Over time excessive use of acetone can leech out the plasticisers.

However for occasionally cleaning of fenders it’s fine.

I’ve used it for 20 years. No degradation noticed the sun kills the fenders long before the acetone does

chasfgr · 13-09-2021, 02:50

Acetone the most effective, but any improvement very temporary.
The most long-lasting cord was rubber covered, filthy dirty (shades of my Troop Sergeant) but lasted 16 years.
An effective but exacting answer was to to run the cable through a water-hose, slightly more cost effective, but equally arduous.

rwidman · 13-09-2021, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfgr

Acetone the most effective, but any improvement very temporary.
The most long-lasting cord was rubber covered, filthy dirty (shades of my Troop Sergeant) but lasted 16 years.
An effective but exacting answer was to to run the cable through a water-hose, slightly more cost effective, but equally arduous.

It's hard to get the end through though.

rwidman · 13-09-2021, 04:38

Despite anecdotal stories of cleaning power cords with solvents and acids, these products will definitely damage the cord. The damage may not be obvious at first, but you are removing plasticizers which keep the cord flexible and prevent the insulation from cracking. Eventually the insulation will no longer be completely water proof.

You can try washing the cord with mild soap and water. I have found that lanolin based hand cleaner (sold in auto parts stores for cleaning your hands) is moderately effective and since it's safe for skin, it is unlikely to degrade the cord.

The bottom line is, it's better to have a dirty cord than a damaged cord. If it bothers you that much, replace it.

tamicatana · 13-09-2021, 05:30

FSR is oxalic acid, probably fairly benign to the plastic insulator…but

There is something in the assertion that solvents damage the plastic. I would just get some sort of fabric sleeve and then you can periodically wash that without too much ado

friz · 13-09-2021, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by KadeyKrogen38

I use MEK (Methyl Ethol Ketone) wet rag with plenty of throw away white rags. It will clean up and last a couple of years. The MEK fumes are a cause of cancer. Use in well ventilated areas and use chemical resistant gloves.

Cannot find MEK at Lowes or Home Depot any longer. Only MEK substitute. Apparently availability of MEK was restricted/banned by a gov't agency concerned about it's us in home made explosives?

GreenWave · 13-09-2021, 06:40

MEK was banned because of the strong cancer causing correlation.

friz · 13-09-2021, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenWave

MEK was banned because of the strong cancer causing correlation.

errr, I don't know. A solvent used by very few is banned but cigarettes/tobacco used by millions is not. Go figure. I like the explosives story.

CarlF · 13-09-2021, 07:44

I've had acetone on the boat for 30 years but have removed it after seeing pictures of the two Leopards destroyed by fire. I was told acetone was being used inside as a cleaner and fumes created a fireball. Two workers were injured - but not seriously.

I know a boatbuilder who had an acetone explosion in a boat under construction. It was set off by the spark of a wet-vac on switch.

I always used acetone outside but have decided it's just too dangerous to keep aboard. I'll buy it when I absolutely need it and then immediately dispose of it ashore.