Black spots on tubes

codprawn · 19 June 2007, 17:13

REALLY REALLY annoyed. Some idiot has managed to splash my boat with some black stuff that is a bitch to remove. There are about 15 small spots around the bow - also some matching spots on the pontoon but nowhere else!!! No boats have been painted or anything - total mystery to me.

Stuff looks a bit like bitumen or black waxoyl or similar. Getting it off is a nightmare. Nothing seems to work very well. Gunwash seems to soften it a bit but does the same to the tubes. Then need to scrape it with a blunt knife. Whatever it is seems to have etched it's way down into the tubes. Some doing as hypalon is very chemical resistant.

Any ideas - don't want to wreck my lovely blue tubes!!!

mhb100 · 19 June 2007, 17:53

Hi

you can get some tar remover stuff from Halfords that works really well on the hull, but suggest you wax afterwards!. Not sure about chemical compatibility on the tubes may need to be careful....I think i've seen a thread before on this problem so might me worth searching...

Mark

mhb100 · 19 June 2007, 17:59

....forgot to say the other option might be some traffic film remover stuff (can also get at halfords,etc) which i dont think is anywhere as strong as the tar remover stuff

cheers
Mark

codprawn · 19 June 2007, 18:25

i tried traffic film remover which did nothing - I don't know if tar remover will work if gunwash doesn't - just had an idea though - I remember WD40 is great at removing tar - wonder what it does to hypalon??? Or maybe some petrol.

steve b · 19 June 2007, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

REALLY REALLY annoyed. Some idiot has managed to splash my boat with some black stuff that is a bitch to remove. There are about 15 small spots around the bow - also some matching spots on the pontoon but nowhere else!!! No boats have been painted or anything - total mystery to me.

Stuff looks a bit like bitumen or black waxoyl or similar. Getting it off is a nightmare. Nothing seems to work very well. Gunwash seems to soften it a bit but does the same to the tubes. Then need to scrape it with a blunt knife. Whatever it is seems to have etched it's way down into the tubes. Some doing as hypalon is very chemical resistant.

Any ideas - don't want to wreck my lovely blue tubes!!!

Dont laugh

try butter rub in and it wiil disolve tar and grease

it worked on my old rib

Cypman · 19 June 2007, 19:03

I have found that CAREFUL use of Acetone will remove most stains on Hypalon. However, don't let it remain on the surface for long and keep it away from glued areas.

Mollers · 19 June 2007, 19:07

If it is Bitumen or some sort of oil derivitive then Methylene Chloride (dichloromethane) is this stuff.( Nope, I didn't google that.

) It should be ok on the tubes, but best check on a hidden area first eh.

codprawn · 19 June 2007, 19:17

Surely gunwash would dissovle bitumen though? Just had a horrible thought - it may be some sort of coal tar epoxy.

Nasher · 19 June 2007, 22:07

Sounds like the seagulls have been on the Guiness.

Nasher.

fred bolton · 19 June 2007, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

i tried traffic film remover which did nothing - I don't know if tar remover will work if gunwash doesn't - just had an idea though - I remember WD40 is great at removing tar - wonder what it does to hypalon??? Or maybe some petrol.

Petrol should work fine with don't forget to ignite it though, if possible lead a trail of petrol to the fuel tank this fall back measure will leave the entire boat looking pristine in charcoal black you didn't really like the blue did you

fred bolton · 19 June 2007, 22:37

how about nail varnish remover, that's pretty inflammable too, works a treat on my nails

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2007, 00:17

Might be worth trying lighter fluid. It may take a while but it's a nice 'soft' solvent.

ribfan · 20 June 2007, 01:51

I don't know if wd-40 is sold across the pond, but I find it good at removing adhesive residue and stains from my tubes. It may help remove what ever got on your boat. You should then 303 the tubes when done.

GSW · 20 June 2007, 10:48

Get hold of some jiff liquid had this problem in malta on a boat and this fetched it of a treat and if its stained the tube use some vim powder but be carefull ! it will work

Julian · 20 June 2007, 11:20

Use Acetone but wash off immediately after you have applied it and again avoid glued surfaces, its also fantastic stuff to get marks of fibreglass

codprawn · 24 June 2007, 21:31

Just an update in case anyone else ever has the same problem.

Petrol and a Tampon did the trick!!! Soak the end of the Tampon in petrol and hold it onto the tar spot for a while. Then use a butter knife to gently scrape it away.

Nos4r2 · 24 June 2007, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Just an update in case anyone else ever has the same problem.

Petrol and a Tampon

Did you get some strange looks walking into Boots with a can of petrol?

What on earth made you think of that rather than a rag? Good idea though.

Mollers · 24 June 2007, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Did you get some strange looks walking into Boots with a can of petrol?

What on earth made you think of that rather than a rag? Good idea though.

Maybe not as strange as the startled look on Mrs. Prawn's face at the beginning of next month!