Sorry for all the posting but I'm on a learning curve, soon I'll be somewhat up-to- speed and no longer will I heavily clog these bulletin boards. I haven't sailed since 1986 when I was caught in a squall, lost my spar and was towed in by the Plymouth Harbor Master. Keeping that in mind, can anyone recommend a stainless steel cleaner? Thanks, M.C.
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No need to apologize!
This is all about learning and sharing. We all learn (or should) from the questions posted. The knowledge base is ever expanding and new products, tips, and forgotten old tricks turn up all the time (which, IMHO, is why 'check the archives' should only come at the end of a helpful answer). Check the archives, (heheheh) there has been a series of postings recently about an inexpensive commercial cleaner that the posters were raving about...I have CRS syndrome and can't recall the name. I always keep a can of ZUD or Barkeeper's Friend aboard. They are similar to Comet but contain oxalic acid as the active ingredient instead of chlorine bleach (they also contain a mild abrasive, so don't use them on plastic or highly polished brass). Oxalic acid is a reducing agent (the opposite of chlorine which is an oxidizing agent) and is very effective in removing (literally reducing) tarnish and rust (which are forms of oxidation)from metals. It is also very good at bleaching wood without harming the fibers, so it makes a very effective teak cleaner. They can be found at any grocery store at a very nominal cost.
This is all about learning and sharing. We all learn (or should) from the questions posted. The knowledge base is ever expanding and new products, tips, and forgotten old tricks turn up all the time (which, IMHO, is why 'check the archives' should only come at the end of a helpful answer). Check the archives, (heheheh) there has been a series of postings recently about an inexpensive commercial cleaner that the posters were raving about...I have CRS syndrome and can't recall the name. I always keep a can of ZUD or Barkeeper's Friend aboard. They are similar to Comet but contain oxalic acid as the active ingredient instead of chlorine bleach (they also contain a mild abrasive, so don't use them on plastic or highly polished brass). Oxalic acid is a reducing agent (the opposite of chlorine which is an oxidizing agent) and is very effective in removing (literally reducing) tarnish and rust (which are forms of oxidation)from metals. It is also very good at bleaching wood without harming the fibers, so it makes a very effective teak cleaner. They can be found at any grocery store at a very nominal cost.
Spots?
If you are speaking of removing the spots that look like rust, water, or the like, I simply use a hull wax that cleans them right up (I like Maguire's "50" Cleaner/Wax). If you have very difficult stains to remove, I hear that Flitz in the silver container(sold at marine stores) works well. This also sounds like another version of the oxalic acid mentioned earlier.
If you are speaking of removing the spots that look like rust, water, or the like, I simply use a hull wax that cleans them right up (I like Maguire's "50" Cleaner/Wax). If you have very difficult stains to remove, I hear that Flitz in the silver container(sold at marine stores) works well. This also sounds like another version of the oxalic acid mentioned earlier.
Thanks for the support...
Thanks for the support, someday maybe I can help someone else. Bests, M.C.
Thanks for the support, someday maybe I can help someone else. Bests, M.C.
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