Cleaning Shore Power Cords

[kenvail]

Here we are in the dead of winter in the northeast and I am looking for some boating project to get ready for the spring. I got to thinking that the shore power cord I use when visiting other marinas is pretty yucky and could use a good cleaning because it marks the deck when I have to slide it foward.

Any good ideas for the best methods and cleaners to use?

 

[woodster]

use kleen strip paint brush cleaner its good for finders too

 

[Scott B]

Good discussion recently here

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1117705&highlight=shore power cord clean

 

[capta]

Comet and a Scotch Bright pad work quite well. Oh yeah, and some elbow grease.

 

[Gunni]

Acetone

 

[RichH]

The surface scum on PVC on fenders and electrical cords is a chemical added/used to enhance the 'mold ability'/'softness' of the PVC. The scum is principally oxidized dioctyl pthalate - DOP; and, is slowly soluble in 'lightweight' mineral OIL.

"PB Blaster™", a common penetrating oil mix (with ethanol and ether ?) for auto mechanics, when allowed to soak is a good method for the softening and then removal of the DOP scum. If you use ketones, such as acetone, you'll risk dissolving the 'tight surface skin' formed during the molding of the PCV, and which will increase the continual DOP migration to the surface.
Dont long term soak in 'light oil' or you risk reducing the 'electrical insulating' qualities of a PVC insulated power cord ... an hour soak with "PBB" saturated paper towels applied usually works 'fine' ... loosens/softens the 'gum' so its more easily scrubbed off with a plastic scouring pad. The longer the surface DOP scum has been present on the surface, the more oxidized and less soluble in OIL it will become.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Acetone is more work than needed. Paint brush cleaner works great on fenders, I've never tried it on our cords.

What we do is leave our dock cord at our berth and take along a nice new clean one with us.

Yes, it costs more for buying one to travel with, but sure feels good when folks tell us how nice it looks when we're in a visitors berth!

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Starbrit does make a shore power cord cleaner as well that won't damage the cord. Works ok but needs some good elbow grease. We go with Stu's method.

 

[stephen Penny]

Install a "Marinco Cord Set Cover" over it. Keeps the cord clean and looks great.

 

[woodster]

Sounds like a good time to change to smart plug

 

[Gunni]

Acetone is more work than needed. Paint brush cleaner works great on fenders, I've never tried it on our cords.

That's pretty funny, the main ingredient of paint brush cleaner is acetone. Brush cleaner includes the more toxic butyl acetate.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

That's pretty funny, the main ingredient of paint brush cleaner is acetone. Brush cleaner includes the more toxic butyl acetate.

Funny?
Guess you did a (not very thorough) google search and found the one exception
Actually, only one manufacturer still uses acetone. Virtually all contemporary formulators use a solution comprised of surfactants and PCE although some non-odorless cleaners use naptha.

As others have said, don't use acetone as it removes the plasticizers and will only exacerbate further contamination of the cable jacket. Not to mention it's as neurotoxin which may explain the confusion

 

[kenvail]

RichH - What do you think about some of the other suggestions such as paint brush cleaners?

 

[RichH]

See Don's post #12.
Too much variability of chemicals content per mfgr. and a high possibility of ketones (MEK, etc.) that would remove the 'surface skin' from the molding process which would enhance the DOP 'bleed'.
Again, I would suggest starting with an 'light weight mineral oil soak', scrub, then repeat if necessary, etc. as this would leave the 'skin' virtually intact.

If you MUST consider to use any ketone based product, then its probably going to be the last time you will clean that power cord as the surface goo formation will rapidly accelerate. If you get to the point where you think you HAVE to dissolve a bit of the PVC surface, Id suggest Interlux - Brushing Thinner 2333N ... apply with a clean rag; but, 'wipe it' VERY quickly.

MSDS for 2333N:
http://datasheets.international-coatings.com/msds/Y2333N_USA_eng_A1.pdf

 

[Benny17441]

I bought a replacement cable which has been easy to keep clean as we only use it on trips. The heavy lifting is done by the old grungy cable which is clamped to the dock and always remains behind. The ends that really show get a slight cleaning maybe twice a year to make it look half way decent. When purchasing the 2nd cable I was actually after convenience but that wire staying clean was just gravy.