Clean diesel soot from Hypalon

Skybolt

Skybolt

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2014
6,422
Kent Narrows, MD
Boat Info
Reel Nauti
460 EC
Engines
Detroit 6v92TA
(Low profile's)
Alison Gears
Westerbeke
12.5kw Genset
So as the title implies, whats the best way to clean hypalon? I have tried almost everything and nothing seems to work. Seems like nothing short of sandpaper will work, so what do you guy's use or do?
 
Magic eraser and simple green, haven't tried that one, might have to try that one out. I get the Magic eraser has the micro foam and will pull any sealer the Hypalon may have off. I guess if you use a sealer after it's cleaned that may work.
 
I'll make it simple - use GoJo Orange hand cleaner with judicial help from a kitchen scotch bright pad/sponge. the GoJo is cheap so use ample amounts to keep the pumice in work.

Rub it on with your hands and work it with a rag.
 
ttmott said:
I'll make it simple - use GoJo Orange hand cleaner with judicial help from a kitchen scotch bright pad/sponge. the GoJo is cheap so use ample amounts to keep the pumice in work.

Rub it on with your hands and work it with a rag.
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You are too funny, that was my last try this morning, exactly as you state and it does work. But man as you say, lots and lots of scrubbing. Thought there had to be a better way.

So I went to WM at lunch this afternoon and picked up a bottle of Z-Cleaner along with simple green and even roll-off. The Z Cleaner actually works fantastic with the magic eraser, blew me away. The small area that I cleaned it with look's like new, well worth the $28/qt. @ WM.

Thanks for all of the suggestions that lead me to this stuff. Awesome!
 
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I used Boat Cleaner Pro (formerly Marine Strip) on my nasty white shore power. It effortlessly cleaned years of nasty grim. It claims to be safe on vinyl and cushions. The stuff is truly amazing
 
Avenger said:
I used Boat Cleaner Pro (formerly Marine Strip) on my nasty white shore power. It effortlessly cleaned years of nasty grim. It claims to be safe on vinyl and cushions. The stuff is truly amazing
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I have used Marine Strip before, I think that is a little strong for Hypalon isn't it? Great cleaner otherwise, but more along the lines of an acetone. Thought they went out of business, thanks for posting that.
 
SKybolt said:
I have used Marine Strip before, I think that is a little strong for Hypalon isn't it? Great cleaner otherwise, but more along the lines of an acetone. Thought they went out of business, thanks for posting that.
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As good as the stuff works and as bad as it smells I would tend to agree with you. However it is listed on the can that it is safe for inflatables? I'm sure my new Highfield will need soot removal and if I can confirm that this stuff is safe that's what I will be using after seeing how it cleaned my nasty cord.
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Carver370 said:
I have been using this method on inflatables for years, all still look brand new.
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I will say this, there doesn't seem to be a better way to clean an inflatable. Wish I had found this years ago. At the end of the day I am pretty sure what ever method you use to actually get them clean will have the same effects in removing what ever protective coating is in the Hypalon/PVC over time. Leaving the dirt on there isn't much better for them I suspect. I use to use @ttmott's suggestion and that isn't much better with the scotch brite pad, but that also worked - just a lot of scrubbing. The eraser you need to scrub as well. Lightly going over the soot doesn't do much, just quicker to remove. JMO.

I did half the dinghy and it looks great took about 20 minutes to get the one side done, and that is quick from what I was doing. It did take me over two hours last year and it didn't look as good as this came out.
 
Marine Strip is basically lye with a thickener. A lye based paint stripper from a hardware store would work just as well.

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I think z-cleaner is similar but Zeps citrus cleaner is incredible for any diesel soot or oil in general. Smells good too
 
Avenger said:
So your saying maybe not the best for a hypalon inflatable :)
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I would contact the manufacturer. Diesel soot is pain. I was rafted up a few years ago with a buddy with a 560db and his genset exhaust exited right near where I had my dingy tied off. I used spray Nine and a stiff brush and I think the stains are still there 5 years later.
 
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