2 Cycle Oil Stain

[Kper]

Think I screwed up. Developed a fuel leak at the connection to the fuel tank located in the cockpit and some of the 2 cycle mix made it to the cockpit. Now I have a purple stain. Before I make things worse I want to ask if there is a way to eliminate the stain and if there is a recommended 2 cycle oil that won't leave me with another stain.

Thanks.

 

[Brian S]

I would think a degreaser would help with the stain.

As for a different 2 cycle oil, well… they put the color in the oil so that you KNOW if the jug of fuel in question has BEEN mixed, or has NOT been mixed.

If 2 cycle oil was just (regular) oil colored, when you mix it in the gasoline, it would look just like regular old gasoline.

 

[Kper]

I can understand the thought process behind coloring the oil and my granddaughter thinks it's really pretty against the white fiberglass but, man, that sucks. I wiped as soon as it hit the cockpit but it didn't matter - it was there to stay. I'll see if I can round up some degreaser tonight.

 

[Steve Walsh]

I suspect the sun will fade it in time. I spilled some used oil from my diesel on a cockpit seat and it immediately stained. 6 months later, the stain was completely gone.

 

[Chief RA]

Acetone, try it. Chief

 

[GeorgiaBII]

Dawn is an oil stains worst enemy.

 

[Brian S]

Dawn dishwashing detergent. (If anyone wasn't sure of GeorgiaBill's reference.)

They use it on oil spill fouled birds, like the Exxon Valdez and such..

"Dawn takes grease out of your way!"

Dawn is an oil stains worst enemy.

 

[Steve Dion]

If the above does not take care of it, try Oxalic acid. You can find it on eBay. Barkeepers Friend is also contains it too.

http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/institutional/pdf/MSDS-BKF-Soft-Cleanser.pdf

.....but birds don't have a porous surface.

 

[Kper]

Well, got home from work, grabbed some cleaner and jumped aboard to find the stain completely gone. I will throw all the suggestions in my box of tricks, though.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Be careful if using Dawn or other detergents on your boat.

As I remember, Any Dawn or equal detergent that is used on your boat & gets into the water, you could get fined. Never let any detergent get pumped or washed overboard. People used to pour Dawn in their bilge & let it slosh around then pump it overboard. Here is some info:

FROM: http://www.lenntech.com/aquatic/detergents.htm#ixzz37A0nfLBI

What occurs if detergents show up in freshwaters?
Detergents can have poisonous effects in all types of aquatic life if they are present in sufficient quantities, and this includes the biodegradable detergents. All detergents destroy the external mucus layers that protect the fish from bacteria and parasites; plus they can cause severe damage to the gills. Most fish will die when detergent concentrations approach 15 parts per million. Detergent concentrations as low as 5 ppm will kill fish eggs. Surfactant detergents are implicated in decreasing the breeding ability of aquatic organisms.
Detergents also add another problem for aquatic life by lowering the surface tension of the water. Organic chemicals such as pesticides and phenols are then much more easily absorbed by the fish. A detergent concentration of only 2 ppm can cause fish to absorb double the amount of chemicals they would normally absorb, although that concentration itself is not high enough to affect fish directly.

Phosphates in detergents can lead to freshwater algal blooms that releases toxins and deplete oxygen in waterways. When the algae decompose, they use up the oxygen available for aquatic life.

The main contributors to the toxicity of detergents were the sodium silicate solution and the surfactants-with the remainder of the components contributing very little to detergent toxicity. The potential for acute aquatic toxic effects due to the release of secondary or tertiary sewage effluents containing the breakdown products of laundry detergents may frequently be low. However, untreated or primary treated effluents containing detergents may pose a problem. Chronic and/or other sublethal effects that were not examined in this study may also pose a problem.

Just something to keep in mind.

CR

 

[Kper]

Even though my maintenance is occurring in my driveway this is good information to know. I was unaware of detergent's effects on aquatic life.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Kper,

I remembered detergent effects years ago while taking my captain's course. The BP oil spill recently used a dispersant I believe was similar. And look how that turned out for growth & aquatic life & it's residual effects even now.

CR

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Oxalic Acid is also sold in hardware and paint stores as "wood Bleach" Far cheaper to buy a pint of crystals, and mix as you need, than to pay for Barkeepers Friend, which is just a dilute version.

My local ACE has it on the shelf- Savogran is the brand name. Also washes that "waterway frown" off of bows, like using an eraser.

I always have a container aboard.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Oxalic Acid is also sold in hardware and paint stores as "wood Bleach" Far cheaper to buy a pint of crystals, and mix as you need, than to pay for Barkeepers Friend, which is just a dilute version. My local ACE has it on the shelf- Savogran is the brand name. Also washes that "waterway frown" off of bows, like using an eraser. I always have a container aboard.

+1 ..just the other day I introduced a boater here on the hill about oxalic acid. He had been trying very unsuccessfully to get dark stains out of his teak. I think he carried that door all over the yard showing it to people he was so happy. Beautiful boat. I'm thinking about owning it..

 

[Kper]

Great news. I have a dark patch I'd like to remove.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Oxalic Acid is really a most often used as a wood bleach, as it's name implies. I used it in my furniture refinishing shop for some 30 years. Just mix to directions, and flush with much water afterwards- it IS after all an acid.

 

[shanester]

Best and worst cleaners to use at the dock

What are the worst cleaners to use as far as environmentally speaking? I know what works on my boat while on the trailer but would never use them at the dock. What works well for cleaning AND is okay on the environment?

 

[Chris Patterson]

What are the worst cleaners to use as far as environmentally speaking? I know what works on my boat while on the trailer but would never use them at the dock. What works well for cleaning AND is okay on the environment?

Water..