Two of my six fenders have turned sticky and yellow. It is possible to clean the grime off, but the fenders are still sticky. Is there anything that will restore the fenders to their original state. Covers are not the solution either.
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Another vote for island girl
I wouldn't have believed how effective the Island Girl products are except I've used them. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I wouldn't have believed how effective the Island Girl products are except I've used them. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Miles
Resounding chorus of "Island Girl"!
Try Island Girl Sea Glow. Let it soak on the fenders for a bit and then scrub with 000 grit pad. Mine look like new and silky smooth too...
Try Island Girl Sea Glow. Let it soak on the fenders for a bit and then scrub with 000 grit pad. Mine look like new and silky smooth too...
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Jim Rushing
On Order
Just ordered the complete Island Girl kit from HOW last week. This will be the supreme test.
Just ordered the complete Island Girl kit from HOW last week. This will be the supreme test.
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Ed Schenck
Island Girl?
Ordered the kit a while back. Box is sitting in the basement. I have not had a chance to use it due to the snow. But the bottles seem quite small. I am hoping it takes very little liquid to do the job. Can anyone enlighten, how much of the top deck can I do with one kit? Or how many 12" fenders?
Ordered the kit a while back. Box is sitting in the basement. I have not had a chance to use it due to the snow. But the bottles seem quite small. I am hoping it takes very little liquid to do the job. Can anyone enlighten, how much of the top deck can I do with one kit? Or how many 12" fenders?
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Miles
Little goes a long way
I used up the entire bottle on: lifelines, dorades, fenders, rubrail, AND the whole hull (not topsides) on a 340. Sea Glow has some sort of UV florescent stuff in it that makes whites very white. I didn't see any warnings on the bottle but personally I'd wear gloves while working with it. I can't imagine anything that works that well would be good for you...
I used up the entire bottle on: lifelines, dorades, fenders, rubrail, AND the whole hull (not topsides) on a 340. Sea Glow has some sort of UV florescent stuff in it that makes whites very white. I didn't see any warnings on the bottle but personally I'd wear gloves while working with it. I can't imagine anything that works that well would be good for you...
Seems to work better.......
when it is warm and sunny. The sun and heat seem to activate the chemicals. So when you apply it I would suggest a warm sunny day. This sort of defeats the idea that we want to get our boats ahead of time! It is worth the wait, the stuff really does work!
when it is warm and sunny. The sun and heat seem to activate the chemicals. So when you apply it I would suggest a warm sunny day. This sort of defeats the idea that we want to get our boats ahead of time! It is worth the wait, the stuff really does work!
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Bob Stephens
Try Paint Brush Cleaner! You would never think to use this but it was reccomended to me so I tried it. I have used it for a couple years on the same fenders and it does not leave the fenders sticky or turn them yellow in time. Use the cleaner with a white scrbbing pad, you have to work fast and preferably out of the sun as the cleaner evaperates quickly. As you clean an area wipe it clean with a clean rag (rewet the area as needed to wipe clean). I find that if two people work at a time it goes easier and quicker (one scrubbing and one wiping). I follow up the cleaning with a coat of Seapower Dingy and vinyl cleaner/wax even though it's not really needed. The Paint Brush Cleaner is fairly cheap and the Seapower cleaner protects.The Seapower cleaner also works very well on lifelines and rub rails (use the scrubbing pad here also). This method has worked very well for me and I haven't had to buy all those expensive kits!
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Sticky fenders are caused by...
Using the wrong things to clean 'em. Products like acetone and mineral spirits (paint brush cleaner)--anything that contains solvents--and bleach break down the molecular structure of the material, UV and heat does the rest. The problem with fenders is, nobody ever cleans 'em till they get SO dirty that nothing that won't damage will clean 'em. So you use something that will, and start a never-ending battle--the stickiness turns 'em into a dirt magnet...you ignore 'em again till they get so dirty nothing that won't make 'em sticky again will work...until finally they fall apart. Like a lot of other things, prevention is the best cure: Put covers on 'em to protect 'em from creosote etc...pull the covers off and clean 'em two or three times a season with a mild detergent and a soft brush, and you won't ever have sticky fenders.
Using the wrong things to clean 'em. Products like acetone and mineral spirits (paint brush cleaner)--anything that contains solvents--and bleach break down the molecular structure of the material, UV and heat does the rest. The problem with fenders is, nobody ever cleans 'em till they get SO dirty that nothing that won't damage will clean 'em. So you use something that will, and start a never-ending battle--the stickiness turns 'em into a dirt magnet...you ignore 'em again till they get so dirty nothing that won't make 'em sticky again will work...until finally they fall apart. Like a lot of other things, prevention is the best cure: Put covers on 'em to protect 'em from creosote etc...pull the covers off and clean 'em two or three times a season with a mild detergent and a soft brush, and you won't ever have sticky fenders.
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Bob Stephens
Sticky caused by...
I have to agree with what Peggy Hall about using the right product for the job. That being the case I have to defend the use of paint brush cleaner to clean fenders. The people that suggusted it's use to me have been doing so for many years and have yet to replace one fender due to it's use. I also find no damage to my fenders and the fenders are still soft and pliable after a couple years! I figure that there is more than one way to skin a cat and an opinion to agree or disagree with each way. I only know that paint brush cleaner works well for me. My opinion can be used for whatever it is worth. and only is as good or bad as any other method or opinion from another experianced boat owner.
I have to agree with what Peggy Hall about using the right product for the job. That being the case I have to defend the use of paint brush cleaner to clean fenders. The people that suggusted it's use to me have been doing so for many years and have yet to replace one fender due to it's use. I also find no damage to my fenders and the fenders are still soft and pliable after a couple years! I figure that there is more than one way to skin a cat and an opinion to agree or disagree with each way. I only know that paint brush cleaner works well for me. My opinion can be used for whatever it is worth. and only is as good or bad as any other method or opinion from another experianced boat owner.
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Jim Rushing
So Far
I have cleaned one fender with a product called Mean Green and also paint thinner. While they will clean the grime off, the fender is still sticky. Unless I can solve the sticky problem,the problem will repeat itself. As for fender covers, in Texas they tend to fall apart quickly plus the dirt that sticks to them will scratch the hull finish.
I have cleaned one fender with a product called Mean Green and also paint thinner. While they will clean the grime off, the fender is still sticky. Unless I can solve the sticky problem,the problem will repeat itself. As for fender covers, in Texas they tend to fall apart quickly plus the dirt that sticks to them will scratch the hull finish.
Fender Covers!
Jim Rushing: What are the fender covers made from that are falling apart. If you get Sunbrella ones they should last just as long as a sail cover if not longer. We made our own from terry cloth from the yardage store. They have been out in the weather for 4 years and are still OK. A little dingy (powder blue) but still in one piece non-the-less. I belive that using these petro products like acetone, paint brush cleaner etc. just cleans the surface while you are doing it but actually destroys the plastic finish. I would only use a plastic cleaner and the I.G. products seem to really work the best. I am sure that there are some other products on the market that will clean them too.
Jim Rushing: What are the fender covers made from that are falling apart. If you get Sunbrella ones they should last just as long as a sail cover if not longer. We made our own from terry cloth from the yardage store. They have been out in the weather for 4 years and are still OK. A little dingy (powder blue) but still in one piece non-the-less. I belive that using these petro products like acetone, paint brush cleaner etc. just cleans the surface while you are doing it but actually destroys the plastic finish. I would only use a plastic cleaner and the I.G. products seem to really work the best. I am sure that there are some other products on the market that will clean them too.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Any dirt that sticks to a fender COVER will also
stick to a fender. But it's a lot easier to clean a fender cover than a fender--toss covers into the clothes washer after pretreating with a good degreaser. And I don't think they fall apart in TX any faster than they do in GA or FL. Fender covers are easy to make, btw.. Sunbrella is good, especially if you think the covers MUST match your sail covers, but denim is easier to work with and easier to wash. Just cut the fabric to cover the fender end-to-end completely, plus about about 4-6" depending upon the diameter of the fender. Turn each end twice deep, creating a deep enough hem to run a 3/8" poly line drawstring through it at each end...stitch up the side, and you're done. Even I can sew well enough to do that, and I'd flunked making an apron in 8th grade home ec (my muffins got a A, though).
stick to a fender. But it's a lot easier to clean a fender cover than a fender--toss covers into the clothes washer after pretreating with a good degreaser. And I don't think they fall apart in TX any faster than they do in GA or FL. Fender covers are easy to make, btw.. Sunbrella is good, especially if you think the covers MUST match your sail covers, but denim is easier to work with and easier to wash. Just cut the fabric to cover the fender end-to-end completely, plus about about 4-6" depending upon the diameter of the fender. Turn each end twice deep, creating a deep enough hem to run a 3/8" poly line drawstring through it at each end...stitch up the side, and you're done. Even I can sew well enough to do that, and I'd flunked making an apron in 8th grade home ec (my muffins got a A, though).
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