Cleaning Advice

[Bergertime]

I started a deep cleaning project this weekend as I am running out of small projects on my vessel ;).  Anyway, looking to refurb the inside of my consol and make it a happier place.  I was hoping that one of you restoration gurus might be able to lend me some advice on how to quickly remove this black stuff.  I tried a bleach water mix thinking it that would clean it without much effort but I was sadly wrong.  Is there a trick to this nasty stuff??  Please advise.

PS - I have already replaced and re-wired the buss in the picture..  Its just an old one I had that shows the nasty black chit  




-Bruce

[Capt. Bob]

Bleach, full strength works well in my experience, still.......

Try Simple green and a little elbow grease.

Nada....

Then mineral spirits will clean it.

[Bergertime]

Thanks for the suggestion..  Bob- I figured that ground buss would cause you much consternation! Haha..  Fear not, I replaced it a long time ago.  I guess the PO liked seeing the green color and corrosion at its finest ( ) when he turn on and off the batteries since it's basically in your face every time your down there.  Not sure how he could look at that but... it's pretty now!.


B

[Capt. Bob]

You said that in your first post.  
How did I miss that?

Mineral spirits results.

Before


After

[Fletch170]

As far as boat cleaning goes, there is simply nothing better than Castrol Super Clean. The stuff will take white off rice. The best method for cleaning nonskid IMO. Mind you, this stuff is STRONG. Wear a mask, and gloves.

[gman 82 aquasport]

I used a product called Krud Kutter, got it at Lowes, made to be mixed with water, 4 to 1 water to kutter, I mixed mine at 1 to 1 and it took 95% of the crap off....You just need it all to be dry before you spray it on, so it won't delute any more..

[wingtime]

Greased lightening works good as does any of the "purple" cleaners (like the Castrol).  I used some Star Brite bilge cleaner with very good results.  I've always used mineral spirits to clean firewall forward on aircraft with an air powered cleaning gun but the run off is NASTY.  I'd be hesitant to use it in a bilge since the next time the bilge pump comes on you may end up pumping some funky stuff overboard.

[love2fish]

Damn Bob- That looks incredible!

You said that in your first post.  
How did I miss that?

Mineral spirits results.

Before


After

[pete]

For that nasty black stuff,diluted simple green with a shot of bleach in a spray bottle,keep those hatches open so fresh air can circulate,I also use a fan on a timer under the cover to keep airflow under there.

[gran398]

All great ideas

When it gets nasty...that hard-on black stuff ...see CB's example.... I like to fight fire with fire. Petroleum with petroleum.

Mineral spirits work fine...but when its REALLY  nasty...Toluene.

A gallon of Toluene is cheap...and takes it out by the roots...quick.

[wingtime]

I always thought that black crap is mold.

[pigbike]

As far as boat cleaning goes, there is simply nothing better than Castrol Super Clean. The stuff will take white off rice. The best method for cleaning nonskid IMO. Mind you, this stuff is STRONG. Wear a mask, and gloves.

I use Super Clean often. Works great on grease, but no so great on dirt. You better watch out with it as it will suck all the oil out of your skin, so don't get it on your hands. Will etch aluminum also. Good stuff but got to be careful with it. I'm surprised they haven't banned it from the market as they have with other products that work well.