Is there a chemist in the house?

[DBBRanger]

The previous owner of my 2008 R25 allowed the chain hook above the brass port in the head to dangle while underway. Since the chain and the port were never polished, the oxidation from the brass has made an unsightly semicircular stain on the wall vinyl where the chain has swung. We have tried all types of cleaners, but none put a dent in the stain. Has anyone else addressed this or can someone suggest a chemical that will dissolve brass oxidation but not effect the vinyl? I'm afraid it may be hopeless, but I also do not want to recover that area since it would mean taking the port out.

Thanks for any insight!

Doug

 

[Pearl]

How about a Magic Eraser, have you tried them?

 

[SlackwaterJack]

have you tried...
vinegar?
Hydrogen peroxide?

Cover with an embroidered stick-on anchor/ship's wheel/ applique? ( couple of bucks at Jo-Ann's, Micheal's)

 

[walldog]

On Off Hull Cleaner available at most marine supplier's.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

One additional one would be CLR available at most hardware stores, Home Depot, etc. The CLR stands for calcium, lime and rust. I've used it for cleaning things with great success but have also used Magic Eraser, On-Off and vinegar. Vinegar would be your least abrasive, On-Off your most abrasive. Good luck and let us know about the final results.

 

[tlkenyon]

Brasso? Make the stain shiny, at least? Seriously, some dilute muriatic acid (HCl) might work, as the stain is brass that was abraded onto the wall off the fitting. Not sure what it would do to the wall, though. Some of the hull cleaners have HCl in them.

 

[Ken Boyd]

Taking the head port light out is not that big of a job. Just remove the counter sunk screws (seems like there are seven of them) that hold the inner port lite assembly to the outer ring. The inside port lite assembly will come off as a single unit. It is not bedded to the bulkhead. The outer port lite ring is bedded to the aft cabin bulkhead but you can leave it in place since everything you want to get to is inside.

Simple job with two people but it can easily be performed by one. Just remove the screen and reach through the port lite opening with one hand to unscrew the bolts while holding a wrench on the outside acorn nuts with the other.

 

[Gin]

For cleaning the wall, I'd give oxy-clean a go before using anything harsher. At the stronger end of the spectrum, I'd check the label on Goof Off. No matter what the product, you should be able to find an inconspicuous spot somewhere in the cabin to give it a test beforehand on the vinyl alone. Good luck!

Gini

 

[baz]

What about Goof Off… it seems this stuff erases most things I've tried it on. Try just a little on a hidden patch to make sure it does not 'melt' the vinyl… :roll:

 

[DBBRanger]

Thanks for all the replies. I have used Magic Eraser, 409, alcohol, mineral spirits, 3M spot remover etc with no luck. Goof Off does melt the vinyl. I'm going to the 'Big City' tomorrow, so will see what of the suggestions I can get.

Good to hear the port can easily come off - that may be my only option.

Thanks again,

Doug

 

[baz]

Taking the head port light out is not that big of a job. Just remove the counter sunk screws (seems like there are seven of them) that hold the inner port lite assembly to the outer ring. The inside port lite assembly will come off as a single unit. It is not bedded to the bulkhead. The outer port lite ring is bedded to the aft cabin bulkhead but you can leave it in place since everything you want to get to is inside.

Simple job with two people but it can easily be performed by one. Just remove the screen and reach through the port lite opening with one hand to unscrew the bolts while holding a wrench on the outside acorn nuts with the other.

Ken: I tried removing my port light above our R-25's sink and found the acorn nuts were easily removed and the counter sunk screw bolts came out fairly easily. However, removing the inside ring did not want to budge no matter how carefully I tried to coax it off… so I ended up leaving it alone for time being. Maybe the head port light is easier to remove as it's backed with vinyl and not monkey fur.