Sticky fenders

[capta]

We've got the red ball type fenders and they are making a mess of the boat, now. They have a sticky substance on them that may be a reaction to the sun. It's almost like they are melting VERY slowly.
Anyway, I've tried everything from comet to hull & deck cleaners, even PB Blaster & WD 40 but they seem to just roll some of the goo into little balls, but not really remove the majority of the stuff.
This stuff is really tenacious, when it gets on the hull, not even Goo Gone (or acetone) will remove it.
Thanks

 

[RichH]

Most of this goo is soluble in lightweight OIL. If you use PB Blaster, WD40, etc. etc. be advised that it takes TIME for the oil to 'loosen' the goo. Try putting paper towels over the fenders, liberally spray on the oil ..... then cover with Saran, etc. plastic wrap and put them away for days/weeks before trying to clean them.

The longer the goo has been on the surface and in contact with 'air' the more the goo will be oxidized and the harder/longer it will take for the oil to 'work'. .... and this applies to all soaps and detergents, too. The higher the ambient temp., the faster the 'reaction'.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

There are a lot of home remedies but when they reach that condition, there is no magic bullet. You likely have two choices. Replace them or cover them. The advantage of covers is they will last longer (than the fenders) if you use the right material and they won't damage the finish.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Mineral Spirits or Paint thinner works fairly well for me. Mineral spirits was recommended to me by the Taylor-Made company for their fenders.

 

[zeehag]

after ye clean em , put t-shirts on em to keep em from doing that....

 

[capta]

Thanks.
zeehag It's also been suggested to use the legs from sweat pants, but where does one find THOSE in the Caribbean? Hey, and when are we gonna see you out this way? Should Nikki make up some rum punch?

 

[zeehag]

wait a lil time on the rum punch--is taking me a few minuets to get there---i am fixing boat and digging mexico some--so i will be mexico'd out by the time i arrive ready for caribean rum punch drinks....i will b e posting bragging vs blackmail shots as i go....and i have spot..

sweatpants legs come from under everything in the bilge--the last stuff ye didnt want to ditch just because ye didnt know if mebbe you would get cold at sea..then promptly forgot about.....they do got t-shirts everywhere, tho, and they work ok....

 

[All U Get]

My wife got the material from Sailrite to make fender covers and I just saw another cruiser that made a cover for his 50 amp shorepower line from Sunbrella. Seems like gelcoat takes the black stuff off, so why isn't there a gelcoat glove to clean the mess?

All U Get

 

[Ken13559]

I clean sticky fenders with Mr.Muscle (chlorox based). Then sew a fender sock. Those parts still sticky, I rub some taculm powder.