Dinghy diesel stain

[BaseCampAnne]

My new dinghy is badly stained from the engine exhaust on the port side. I do not know what will remove the dirty stain nor how to keep it from reoccurring.

Is there a way to redirect the exhaust so it does not happen?

How do I preserve the new dinghy?

Please advise, and thanks in advance.

 

[Dog Islander]

Ann, I have the same issue with a diesel stained dinghy. I haven't tried anything yet, but I would like to know what works well. I understand there will be vendor that has some cleaning products at the rendezvous in Bremerton next week. Maybe that will provide us with a winning product. As far as rerouting the exhaust, maybe Ranger has a kit to route up the stack 😉 .

Ray

 

[rt11002003]

Try your local tractor trailer center. 😉 They usually have a cleaning material for removing diesel smoke stains. A company I worked for made a soap called DSR (Diesel Smoke Remover). 😱

gene

 

[BaseCampAnne]

Interesting!

Thanks for the great idea!

I also look forward to hearing from our Ranger staff and what they use.

Anne

 

[Gratitude]

I use costco purple auto degreaser in a spray bottle with a rag. Works like a charm.

 

[BaseCampAnne]

That is great to hear! I know my way to Costco and will hope the product is still available!

The other suggestions also sounded good but this will be easiest to acquire if available!

Thanks to each of you who replied, and perhaps in the future the location of the exhaust or the placement of the dinghy might change which would be great if it is possible.

Anne

 

[baz]

This is interesting and I wonder if it's unique to the R-25SC model as I've not had this problem on our MY2010 R-25 model. 😱 It may also be related to how the boat sits in the water as it moves forward and/or the location of the exhaust port with respect to the immediate water line.

 

[BaseCampAnne]

Bummer, no purple auto degreaser any more, just purple liquid for moss and algae removal called Wet and Forget. I will buy it just in case but doubt this works as a degreaser, so will wait to hear if this is what Gratitude referenced...

 

[Ainokea]

Try Simple Green. Use it un-diluted. Let it sit for a while. May help

 

[Gratitude]

Anne,

Any auto parts store will carry degreaser in spray bottle or by the gallon.

 

[Brian B]

I came across this old thread. I had my dinghy repaired at New England Inflatables in RI this past Fall. I was advised by the owner that the key to cleaning the Hypalon material is to use a fine grade 3M finishing pad with the cleaner of your choice. I used Amazons Inflatable Boat Cleaner and with the 3M pad the diesel stains were easily removed. I ended up doing the entire dinghy inside and out.

 

[STELLA L]

Hi BaseCampAnne,

I bought a dingy that you would have thought went through a coal mine. Same thing as yours on the port side but also just plain dirty. I tried a couple of products then used a spray bottle of Zcare LVP MARINE that was given to me to try at the boat show 2 yrs ago. It not only came off fast but has protective polymers and shined up the dingy like new. I sprayed it on, then brushed it with a semi stiff bristle brush and hosed the area the first time as it was so black. Did not have to do it a 2nd time but after the dingy dried sprayed and wiped with a towel. Since I have done this the soot does not seem to stick as easily and what dirt does appear wipes off easily. I did find the product at FISHERIES and bought another bottle - $11.95 I believe. Hope this helps.

Jim STELLA 25SC RANGER

 

[BaseCampAnne]

I have tried most of the products mentioned and not had such good results as some have. Perhaps the stiff brush or sponge with an abrasive side is the key. I have not used the abrasive items because I was concerned about damaging the hypalon.
One of these days I may try again to clean the dinghy!

 

[Irish Mist]

Once you get it clean I have seen a few dingys down here with covers that stay on the tubes all the time, even while motoring it around. They look like something you would order as an option. This would also help with sun damage as well

 

[Gin]

Anne, I have no idea if this would work, but Oxy Clean is magic when it comes to getting shore power cords clean. I read the tip on Active Captain (they have a list there someone of all their favorite tips like that). Might be worth a try.

Gini

 

[The Bud's Tug]

If the dinghy stern is mounted to the port side of the Ranger this most likely eliminates the problem. Mine is mounted to port and I have no exhaust issues.