Hello to All;
A week or two ago I posted a query about cleaning paint spots on a Bomar Hatch with a Lexan window...thanks to all who replied with good info. about the Novus Products...however these two part cleaner/waxes weren't 'do'in it for me'...so I embarked on the ultimate Web search for some answers. Turns out, John D. Rockefeller condensed and extracted the product for us back in 1870, and 'knowledgeable sailors' have been using it ever since (I wasn't one of them). While He was supplying everyone with kerosene for their 'cheap light', there were some explosions...apparently, the kerosene was not of 'standard' quality and contained volatile portions that where dangerous. By further careful distillation and extraction, he was able to separate the 'bad portions' now commonly known as 'naphtha' and 'gasoline'...well, ever since then, 'naphtha' or 'VM&P' for 'Varnish Makers and Painters' has been used in thinning and cleanup as well as a strong solvent. I found a Website that actually recommends naphtha as a cleaner for Lexan (www.spec-net.com.au/cadillac/lexan.12.htm)...so before recommending this ancient marvel of science, I had to try it for myself. I used cleenex tissue and VM&P Naphtha from Ace Hardware ($3.99/Qt.)and commenced to rubbing on the paint spots...soon, they lifted right off. Then I looked at the Lexan...Yikes! I melted it! Then I looked closer...Hey, I've got a clean spot here! Then I was forced to wipe down the entire hatch, removing years of dirt and old wax. When I finished, the Lexan was as clean as the day it was made. I'll add a light coat of wax later...however, the results were nothing short of amazing. If you decide to use this stuff, make sure the wind is blowing...It'll give you a headache in no time. It's also been found to cause 'brain cancer' in laboratory sailing rats...Naphtha has manifested itself in other forms over the years, such as 'parrafin', lighter fluid, charcoal lighter, and stove fuel...sometimes a modern solution requires a trip back in history.
That's my story and I'm stick'in to it!
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
louosten@ipass.net
How to clean Lexan, ...or 'Fractional Distillation 101'
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: How to clean Lexan, ...or 'Fractional Distillation 101'
Lou,
I used charcoal lighter fluid on mine, and did not get the melting effect you mentioned..but they did look a lot better for 3 mn. or so. They need another coat now. But your research sounds very interesting, so will pick up some naptha and bring it up north next weekend. Thanks for a useful tip, and some impressive research.
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior
demer@sgi.com
I used charcoal lighter fluid on mine, and did not get the melting effect you mentioned..but they did look a lot better for 3 mn. or so. They need another coat now. But your research sounds very interesting, so will pick up some naptha and bring it up north next weekend. Thanks for a useful tip, and some impressive research.
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior
Lou Ostendorff wrote: Hello to All;
A week or two ago I posted a query about cleaning paint spots on a Bomar Hatch with a Lexan window...thanks to all who replied with good info. about the Novus Products...however these two part cleaner/waxes weren't 'do'in it for me'...so I embarked on the ultimate Web search for some answers. Turns out, John D. Rockefeller condensed and extracted the product for us back in 1870, and 'knowledgeable sailors' have been using it ever since (I wasn't one of them). While He was supplying everyone with kerosene for their 'cheap light', there were some explosions...apparently, the kerosene was not of 'standard' quality and contained volatile portions that where dangerous. By further careful distillation and extraction, he was able to separate the 'bad portions' now commonly known as 'naphtha' and 'gasoline'...well, ever since then, 'naphtha' or 'VM&P' for 'Varnish Makers and Painters' has been used in thinning and cleanup as well as a strong solvent. I found a Website that actually recommends naphtha as a cleaner for Lexan (www.spec-net.com.au/cadillac/lexan.12.htm)...so before recommending this ancient marvel of science, I had to try it for myself. I used cleenex tissue and VM&P Naphtha from Ace Hardware ($3.99/Qt.)and commenced to rubbing on the paint spots...soon, they lifted right off. Then I looked at the Lexan...Yikes! I melted it! Then I looked closer...Hey, I've got a clean spot here! Then I was forced to wipe down the entire hatch, removing years of dirt and old wax. When I finished, the Lexan was as clean as the day it was made. I'll add a light coat of wax later...however, the results were nothing short of amazing. If you decide to use this stuff, make sure the wind is blowing...It'll give you a headache in no time. It's also been found to cause 'brain cancer' in laboratory sailing rats...Naphtha has manifested itself in other forms over the years, such as 'parrafin', lighter fluid, charcoal lighter, and stove fuel...sometimes a modern solution requires a trip back in history.
That's my story and I'm stick'in to it!
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
demer@sgi.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: This sounds better than"Stove Black"........
Captain Ostendorff,
Mein gott! This I have got to try! I am sure that clean Bomars will add at least a knot to weather during the upcoming RACE! Seriously, I have long thought of taking all the years of scratches out of the lexan, but reading the bottles of Meirs et all never convinced me. I will try it Sir, maybe this week, have yet to polish the topsides and repaint the bottom, that done, and with clean hatches, she is ready to go to sea and start intensive training of the crew!!! I remain Sir, your compatriot in Chemistry....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei
P.S. When stove blacking your prop, wet a piece of old towel with a lot of it, and DAB it on, don't smear it! Dabbing puts down a heavier coat.....you know: "A little DAB will Do ya"!!!!!!
Mein gott! This I have got to try! I am sure that clean Bomars will add at least a knot to weather during the upcoming RACE! Seriously, I have long thought of taking all the years of scratches out of the lexan, but reading the bottles of Meirs et all never convinced me. I will try it Sir, maybe this week, have yet to polish the topsides and repaint the bottom, that done, and with clean hatches, she is ready to go to sea and start intensive training of the crew!!! I remain Sir, your compatriot in Chemistry....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei
P.S. When stove blacking your prop, wet a piece of old towel with a lot of it, and DAB it on, don't smear it! Dabbing puts down a heavier coat.....you know: "A little DAB will Do ya"!!!!!!
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John R.
Re: How to clean Lexan, ...or 'Fractional Distillation 101'
Lou,
Naptha is a commonly known adhesive remover. Like many solvents it will affect paint and other materials. As far as the melted look clean spot you discovered that as you state was the area where dirt and wax had been removed; it should still be treated with a true plastic reconditioner. You may have it clean but I would point out that it is not protected or the finish truly restored. Wax will not protect as well as Novus.
Dirt and wax on plexiglass can be removed by a host of products including the naptha but a deteriorated surface would never respond to naptha, no way. It is important that we clarify this so people don't think they can restore hatch plexi with just naptha and wax. They can clean it that way, however if a deteriorated surface is being refinished you must use an abrasive such as the Novus or wet sand and then final cut with the Novus. A buffer on low speed is needed with the Novus on significant scratches and defects but only used in short periods otherwise the plastic will overheat and sustain damage.
Naptha is a great product (adhesive remover, cleaner, lighter fluid) but it will not restore deteriorated plexiglass, acrylic.
Naptha is a commonly known adhesive remover. Like many solvents it will affect paint and other materials. As far as the melted look clean spot you discovered that as you state was the area where dirt and wax had been removed; it should still be treated with a true plastic reconditioner. You may have it clean but I would point out that it is not protected or the finish truly restored. Wax will not protect as well as Novus.
Dirt and wax on plexiglass can be removed by a host of products including the naptha but a deteriorated surface would never respond to naptha, no way. It is important that we clarify this so people don't think they can restore hatch plexi with just naptha and wax. They can clean it that way, however if a deteriorated surface is being refinished you must use an abrasive such as the Novus or wet sand and then final cut with the Novus. A buffer on low speed is needed with the Novus on significant scratches and defects but only used in short periods otherwise the plastic will overheat and sustain damage.
Naptha is a great product (adhesive remover, cleaner, lighter fluid) but it will not restore deteriorated plexiglass, acrylic.
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Lou Ostendorff
Cleaning vs. Conditioning
Hi John;
I think your comments are very appropriate, seeing as how I have only CLEANED with naphtha...depending on the existing condition of the plastic, several options are available to proceed with restoration. In my case, I think my hatchcover had several years of wax coating, dirt and build-up, which the naphtha easily lifted off...now some consideration must be given to the final treatment. I appreciate your input on the subject.
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
louosten@ipass.net
I think your comments are very appropriate, seeing as how I have only CLEANED with naphtha...depending on the existing condition of the plastic, several options are available to proceed with restoration. In my case, I think my hatchcover had several years of wax coating, dirt and build-up, which the naphtha easily lifted off...now some consideration must be given to the final treatment. I appreciate your input on the subject.
Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
Berthed in Havelock, NC
louosten@ipass.net
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M. R. Bober
Toothpaste
To remove minor scratches in plexiglass (e.g compass face) consider a light buffing with a wet paper towel and a small dab of toothpaste. It works. I have done it.
Years ago--then young--SP/5 Bober found that the Army used a similiar product (without mint flavor) to polish out blemishes in helicopter windshields. Of course they paid a lot more than the price of toothpaste.........
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
Annapolis, MD
Years ago--then young--SP/5 Bober found that the Army used a similiar product (without mint flavor) to polish out blemishes in helicopter windshields. Of course they paid a lot more than the price of toothpaste.........
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
Annapolis, MD
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Boyd
Re: How to clean Lexan, ...or 'Fractional Distillation 101'
Hi Lou...
Good research... I will try this stuff. In the past I have used a good carwax for plexiglas hatches etc. A good agressive "cleaner wax" such as turtle wax finish restorer both cleans off the brown film and leaves a nice shiny appearance. Repells bird droppings also.
Boyd
Tern30@aol.com
Good research... I will try this stuff. In the past I have used a good carwax for plexiglas hatches etc. A good agressive "cleaner wax" such as turtle wax finish restorer both cleans off the brown film and leaves a nice shiny appearance. Repells bird droppings also.
Boyd
Tern30@aol.com