Best non-marine deck cleaner?

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

How about for removing creosote from docks that is now in the cockpit?

My suggestion: depending how much, you can use diesel fuel. Be careful not to spread the stain. Use Dawn immediately after to clean up the diesel and rinse with water.

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by garyfdl

My suggestion: depending how much, you can use diesel fuel. Be careful not to spread the stain. Use Dawn immediately after to clean up the diesel and rinse with water.

We tried diesel. No joy.

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

We tried diesel. No joy.

If diesel doesn't work, I've got 'nuthin'.

Probably have to go trial and error and see what will break it down or lift it.

[Trekka]

Originally Posted by zengirl

I ended up using Easy-Off oven spray out of frustration. It worked! Did a beautiful job!

Beware of oven cleaners. They are VERY powerful. If you must, use very little and wipe/rinse away immediately.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

How about for removing creosote from docks that is now in the cockpit?

Xylene or turpentine (minerals spirits will not work as well and odor less minerals spirits even less so for this). You need what chemists call and aromatic solvent. Diesel won't do much. Go with xylene.



The trick with cleaning is to match the cleaner to the soil. There is no one-size-fits-all. For the OP, I would remove the heavier pine tar first with one of these solvents. Then I might try Spic and Span, not knowing exactly what he is facing, but the best answer is to to try several things on small areas to see what works. 10-20 minutes of soak time always helps.


I would be cautious of some of the more alkaline products; they can corrode aluminum and flatten paint. Products with glycol ethers (Formula 409 smell) can craze and crack plexi windows; Simple Green is known to do this. Make sure they do NOT soak. Better yet, even though some are effective de greasers, do NOT use them for general deck cleaning.


Good luck (yes, I'm a chemical engineer)!