looking for any suggestion on how to clean power cords. They are the 50 amp type (2 50 foot cords 100 feet total)They are dirty and need more then soap and water. I tried a vinyl cleaner for fenders that said it would work on power cords also but did not do much for them. Any ideas ? thanks for the help!
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Use Acetone, then baby powder
After you clean it up using Acetone, you should put baby powder on it. It will prevent it from getting sticky again and keep it smooth and slippery.
After you clean it up using Acetone, you should put baby powder on it. It will prevent it from getting sticky again and keep it smooth and slippery.
Acetone woes
Acetone will dissolve and permanently remove the plasticizers in the cable which will result in destruction of it's flexibility and allow even mopre dirt to permeate the cable. It will work in the short-term but without replacing the properties of the plasticizers, the cable will eventualyy get worse. Using baby powder will only serve to make it (and you) feel good. Short of replacing the cable which is relatively inexpensive given what most boat stuff costs, you might get another year or two out of an acetone treated cable by using some of the common spray protectorants such as 303 or Plexus. Don
Acetone will dissolve and permanently remove the plasticizers in the cable which will result in destruction of it's flexibility and allow even mopre dirt to permeate the cable. It will work in the short-term but without replacing the properties of the plasticizers, the cable will eventualyy get worse. Using baby powder will only serve to make it (and you) feel good. Short of replacing the cable which is relatively inexpensive given what most boat stuff costs, you might get another year or two out of an acetone treated cable by using some of the common spray protectorants such as 303 or Plexus. Don
try a less potent solvent
like engine degreaser or solvents used in automotive repair shops. Engine degreaser is designed to be compatible with radiator hoses and other plastic engine parts and is water soluble.
like engine degreaser or solvents used in automotive repair shops. Engine degreaser is designed to be compatible with radiator hoses and other plastic engine parts and is water soluble.
No link between acetone and cancer
Acetone does NOT cause skin cancer in animals when it is applied to their skin. WE DO NOT KNOW whether acetone would cause cancer after breathing or swallowing it for long periods, because no tests have been done that I know of. Even if they have done so, it would not necessarily correlate to human exposures or consequences. The Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have NEVER classified acetone for carcinogenic effects. The EPA has determined that acetone is NOT classifiable as to its human carcinogenicity. It is certainly not a good idea to breathe a lot of it or get it on your skin in large doses but it won't cause cancer if you catch a whiff or two or get a little on your skin.
Acetone does NOT cause skin cancer in animals when it is applied to their skin. WE DO NOT KNOW whether acetone would cause cancer after breathing or swallowing it for long periods, because no tests have been done that I know of. Even if they have done so, it would not necessarily correlate to human exposures or consequences. The Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have NEVER classified acetone for carcinogenic effects. The EPA has determined that acetone is NOT classifiable as to its human carcinogenicity. It is certainly not a good idea to breathe a lot of it or get it on your skin in large doses but it won't cause cancer if you catch a whiff or two or get a little on your skin.
toxicology of acetone
Although hardly the place to discuss this, you are only partly correct when it come to the toxicology of acetone Patrick. If you want to be nice to your liver, you'd be best advised to hold your breath when you are using acetone even outdoors.
Although hardly the place to discuss this, you are only partly correct when it come to the toxicology of acetone Patrick. If you want to be nice to your liver, you'd be best advised to hold your breath when you are using acetone even outdoors.
Opps....
I mis-spoke. It was triclosan mixed with water. "Researchers have discovered that triclosan, a chemical in the products, can react with water to produce chloroform gas. If inhaled in large enough quantities, chloroform can cause depression, liver problems and, in some cases, cancer. " I'll keep my mouth shut now
but while I was search for this article I ran across something about Acetone in the water being blamed by some for 73 cows getting sick.
I mis-spoke. It was triclosan mixed with water. "Researchers have discovered that triclosan, a chemical in the products, can react with water to produce chloroform gas. If inhaled in large enough quantities, chloroform can cause depression, liver problems and, in some cases, cancer. " I'll keep my mouth shut now
but while I was search for this article I ran across something about Acetone in the water being blamed by some for 73 cows getting sick.I don't need a chemist to tell me
that acetone is nasty stuff. And whether it causes cancer in lab rats or not, I'm going to avoid exposure to it as much as possible. And I'm going to try engine cleaner on my power cord! And no, Franklin, I don't believe you are going to keep your mouth shut ;D (and hope you won't) I better get off here and go do enough work so that I don't have to go get a REAL job *yks Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
that acetone is nasty stuff. And whether it causes cancer in lab rats or not, I'm going to avoid exposure to it as much as possible. And I'm going to try engine cleaner on my power cord! And no, Franklin, I don't believe you are going to keep your mouth shut ;D (and hope you won't) I better get off here and go do enough work so that I don't have to go get a REAL job *yks Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Hear's What Marinco.com Says:
Just got in from taking the mainsail off along with another carload of other "stuff" off the boat. I've lost track of how many carloads of stuff have come off now. Logged on and lo & behold - a "discussion" about how to clean one's power cord! Hmmmm. After reading a few responses (most recent) I went to their FAQ web page http://www.marinco2.com/faq_marinco.asp#q2 and came up with this: "How do you clean Shorepower cords? If your basic soap and water doesn't do the job, there are cord cleaners such the Star Brite brand available through most marine retailers. Acetone works best for those really stubborn scuff marks." Note that they mention about acetone being "best" (I'm not sure what that means) for "scuff marks". (not sure that that means either) If there is a less caustic cleaner solution available I'm for that. Next stop: the Starbrite web site. ref: Marinco® Shore power systems One Digital Drive Novato, California 94949 (415) 883-3347 FAX (415) 883-7930
Just got in from taking the mainsail off along with another carload of other "stuff" off the boat. I've lost track of how many carloads of stuff have come off now. Logged on and lo & behold - a "discussion" about how to clean one's power cord! Hmmmm. After reading a few responses (most recent) I went to their FAQ web page http://www.marinco2.com/faq_marinco.asp#q2 and came up with this: "How do you clean Shorepower cords? If your basic soap and water doesn't do the job, there are cord cleaners such the Star Brite brand available through most marine retailers. Acetone works best for those really stubborn scuff marks." Note that they mention about acetone being "best" (I'm not sure what that means) for "scuff marks". (not sure that that means either) If there is a less caustic cleaner solution available I'm for that. Next stop: the Starbrite web site. ref: Marinco® Shore power systems One Digital Drive Novato, California 94949 (415) 883-3347 FAX (415) 883-7930
Thanks John for the official word from Marinco
I guess I have been doing ok using acetone all these years. phew ! I use baby powder to cover the entire length of the cord after using the acetone not just because it will feel good in my hands. After the cord is clean, some spots may still be a bit sticky. The baby powder will cover the sticky spots and keep it smooth and slippery, and prevent dirt and other crud from adhering to the power cord. It will also make the entire cord easier to stow.
I guess I have been doing ok using acetone all these years. phew ! I use baby powder to cover the entire length of the cord after using the acetone not just because it will feel good in my hands. After the cord is clean, some spots may still be a bit sticky. The baby powder will cover the sticky spots and keep it smooth and slippery, and prevent dirt and other crud from adhering to the power cord. It will also make the entire cord easier to stow.
Baby Powder???
Wouldn't you know it - no sooner did we get home (I posted the previous post) and my wife comes in to tell me it's raining out there. Are we lucky or what? Just got all the sails off and indoors along with a lot of other stuff. Okay - so you got me interest perked - use "baby powder" after cleaning? Is that the stuff that blows clouds of fine dust all over the place? Several years ago the big thing was to use a certain baby oil on your dinghy bottom to keep it clean. I think Pratical Sailor did a test on it and gave a good review but I haven't heard anything lately. Wonder if that same stuff would work on power cords? So, then, how does that power stuff stick to the cord if the cord is dry? If it doesn't stick, how does it manage to keep the cord slippery and clean? Ahhhh, the trials and tribulations of the modern world. Cook and Vancover didn't have these kind of problems! I wrote Star Brite an email so I'm currious what they have to say.
Wouldn't you know it - no sooner did we get home (I posted the previous post) and my wife comes in to tell me it's raining out there. Are we lucky or what? Just got all the sails off and indoors along with a lot of other stuff. Okay - so you got me interest perked - use "baby powder" after cleaning? Is that the stuff that blows clouds of fine dust all over the place? Several years ago the big thing was to use a certain baby oil on your dinghy bottom to keep it clean. I think Pratical Sailor did a test on it and gave a good review but I haven't heard anything lately. Wonder if that same stuff would work on power cords? So, then, how does that power stuff stick to the cord if the cord is dry? If it doesn't stick, how does it manage to keep the cord slippery and clean? Ahhhh, the trials and tribulations of the modern world. Cook and Vancover didn't have these kind of problems! I wrote Star Brite an email so I'm currious what they have to say.
John, are you in Poulsbo, the one by me?
Or is there another Poulsbo in WA? What do you mean it is raining? Where the heck are ya? Okay, okay, it is a little misty out there right now, but rain? Are you trying to make everyone out there believe that it rains here all the time? Hmmmm.... on second thought.... you are right.... It is raining cats and dogs here right now.... ;d By the way, why are you taking off all the stuff from the boat? Huh? Huh? Huh? Aren't you going to go out anymore this year? ;d As for the baby powder, you have to put it on right after the acetone and still a little tacky. While it is still clean from the scrubbing. If you wait too long, then dust and other particles will stick onto the power cord. Baby powder will stick to it with a light coating. I just put a bunch of powder in my palm, then I run the power cord through my hand. This will prevent dirt and other stuff from sticking to it. It will keep the cord clean throughout all summer, maybe even 2 summers.
Or is there another Poulsbo in WA? What do you mean it is raining? Where the heck are ya? Okay, okay, it is a little misty out there right now, but rain? Are you trying to make everyone out there believe that it rains here all the time? Hmmmm.... on second thought.... you are right.... It is raining cats and dogs here right now.... ;d By the way, why are you taking off all the stuff from the boat? Huh? Huh? Huh? Aren't you going to go out anymore this year? ;d As for the baby powder, you have to put it on right after the acetone and still a little tacky. While it is still clean from the scrubbing. If you wait too long, then dust and other particles will stick onto the power cord. Baby powder will stick to it with a light coating. I just put a bunch of powder in my palm, then I run the power cord through my hand. This will prevent dirt and other stuff from sticking to it. It will keep the cord clean throughout all summer, maybe even 2 summers.
Johnson
Poulsbo - yup, same place. Rain? I can't remember all the variations (there are so many): there's rain, showers, mist (that's Oregon mist - missed Oregon and hit Washington!), and drizzle, and then there is light/heavy/occasional/frequent/intermittent/possibly/and chance of for each one of the aforementioned conditions. Think I got most of 'em. I can just read the Johnson
Poulsbo - yup, same place. Rain? I can't remember all the variations (there are so many): there's rain, showers, mist (that's Oregon mist - missed Oregon and hit Washington!), and drizzle, and then there is light/heavy/occasional/frequent/intermittent/possibly/and chance of for each one of the aforementioned conditions. Think I got most of 'em. I can just read the Johnson
Get a grip folks
All I said was that acetone does not cause cancer. Nor is it caustic. It is an organic solvent thus it has no pH. It should not take a rocket surgeon to figure out that you should not drink it, feed it to cattle, bathe in it or breathe it. A little exposure like cleaning your power cord will not kill you - well at least not right away. Everyone who is exposed to acetone or eats brocolli will eventually die - at least that is what I heard. Edit note .. Speaking as a former rocket surgeon, acetone does work to clean napalm from the tail fins of AIM-7s but not as well as MEK or freon. Franklin, what the h... is triclosan anyway and what do I clean with it? Where do I get some? Will it clean up a litte napalm? I was told that a little chloroform would help if someone wanted to cut off your leg or something. Now that will really cause depression! Especially if I super glue it afterwards. Thought about putting some in my first aid kit but that is a different post. John, the aestheticists will be glad to know that you are not trying to use a blue tarp in Semiahmoo. I am pretty sure it is acceptible in Liberty Bay. Better make sure you use the "green" baby powder there though. They do have some standards (if only a few) to uphold. Are you really quitting sailing now? We sail all year round at least we will if we have enough peppermint schnapps. I know, I know, it is bad for my liver. I wonder if it would work on my power cord??? Perhaps an experiment is in order unless someone has already looked it up - ?????
All I said was that acetone does not cause cancer. Nor is it caustic. It is an organic solvent thus it has no pH. It should not take a rocket surgeon to figure out that you should not drink it, feed it to cattle, bathe in it or breathe it. A little exposure like cleaning your power cord will not kill you - well at least not right away. Everyone who is exposed to acetone or eats brocolli will eventually die - at least that is what I heard. Edit note .. Speaking as a former rocket surgeon, acetone does work to clean napalm from the tail fins of AIM-7s but not as well as MEK or freon. Franklin, what the h... is triclosan anyway and what do I clean with it? Where do I get some? Will it clean up a litte napalm? I was told that a little chloroform would help if someone wanted to cut off your leg or something. Now that will really cause depression! Especially if I super glue it afterwards. Thought about putting some in my first aid kit but that is a different post. John, the aestheticists will be glad to know that you are not trying to use a blue tarp in Semiahmoo. I am pretty sure it is acceptible in Liberty Bay. Better make sure you use the "green" baby powder there though. They do have some standards (if only a few) to uphold. Are you really quitting sailing now? We sail all year round at least we will if we have enough peppermint schnapps. I know, I know, it is bad for my liver. I wonder if it would work on my power cord??? Perhaps an experiment is in order unless someone has already looked it up - ?????
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