ooops! spilled the bleach!

Watermark II · Post by **Watermark II** » Jun 24th, '10, 20:49

In the process of shocking my water tanks I spilled bleach on the sole and didn't notice it immediately... the result is a white spot about the size of a fried egg.

What would you do????

Andy
Watermark II
CD30K #2

tartansailor · Post by **tartansailor** » Jun 25th, '10, 19:24

The obvious is to bleach the rest of the sole.
After you're done, neutralize the residual chlorine
with hydrogen peroxide, and follow that with baking soda.

Dick

Edited to clarify.

Dick Barthel · Post by **Dick Barthel** » Jun 25th, '10, 19:43

Sounds like a good plan. Should a respirator be worn or is it unnecessary?

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Jun 25th, '10, 20:13

Watermark II wrote:In the process of shocking my water tanks I spilled bleach on the sole and didn't notice it immediately... the result is a white spot about the size of a fried egg.

What would you do????

If the white spot seems superficial, I might try wet-sanding it with about 400 grit.

No idea if it would work, but it wouldn't hurt to try it either?

Watermark II · Post by **Watermark II** » Jun 25th, '10, 21:02

Well, bleaching the rest to match was my first thought but I wasn't looking for that kind of project right now. I'm in the middle of sanding and Cetoling the exterior teak.

Sanding might go through the teak laminate... after 30+ years I'm not sure of the thickness.

So, back to Thought One!

Anyone have experience bleaching about 15 sq ft and any tips to share?

Thanks,
Andy
Watermark II
CD30K #2

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Jun 26th, '10, 06:12

Watermark II wrote:Sanding might go through the teak laminate...

Not with 400 grit (or try 600 to be cautious) - it's more like polishing the surface.
This might work if the bleaching only affected the varnish (likely) or the surface of the teak. If the bleach penetrated deeper into the teak, then it won't make any difference

GLutzow · Post by **GLutzow** » Jun 26th, '10, 09:51

This is an offbeat fix but it might be worth considering. As a hobby I build furniture and upon occasion I use a stain concocted of a mixture of tea and water. The tannins in tea impart a transparent dark/golden color to the wood. It is possible that you may be able to blend in the bleached spot using this method, BUT, try it first on a small piece of bleached teak to test the results.

Watermark II · Post by **Watermark II** » Jun 27th, '10, 10:33

Thanks to the board another problem solved.

Taking Duncans advise, I sanded the area carefully with a fine paper and removed the white without making a noticeable dent in the teak.

Thanks all!
Andy
Watermark II
CD30K #2

Carl Thunberg · Post by **Carl Thunberg** » Jun 28th, '10, 07:09

Dick,

FYI - Not all respirator cartridges are created equal. You may be completely un-protected if you don your typical respirator. The overwhelming majority of all respirator usage is for either particulates like asbestos or for petroleum-based organic vapors. Things like chlorine gas require a specialized respirator cartridge, like this one. Since you brought it up, I thought you'd want to know. A good rule of thumb is, if you can still smell what you're trying to protect yourself from, then you are not protected.

http://www.professionalequipment.com/3m ... M-filters/

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Jun 28th, '10, 15:28

Watermark II wrote:Thanks to the board another problem solved.

Taking Duncans advise, I sanded the area carefully with a fine paper and removed the white without making a noticeable dent in the teak...

Glad to hear it!

The Cape Dory Board

ooops! spilled the bleach!

ooops! spilled the bleach!

White Spot

wear respirator?

Try wet-sanding with fine grit?

bleached sole

Re: bleached sole

bleach spot solved!

Respirator

Re: bleach spot solved!