Best tube cleaner ever? - Page 2

JABS · 22 May 2007, 13:52

I still think you can't beat Toluene for cleaning tubes and Mer plastic bumper polish for finishing. Easy and simple, little elbow grease required!

And the toluene smells wonderful.

Biggles · 22 May 2007, 13:56

Does the Mer Plastic Bumper Polish give a nice shiny finish ? And how long does it last ?

I'm slowly experimenting on bits of the tubes with Turtlewax Tyre Polish. It gives a very high shine on the black bits, rubbing strakes, elephants trunks and seats. I think after my next trip I'll give the tubes a going over and see how they come up.

NR.

JABS · 22 May 2007, 14:27

[QUOTE=Biggles;200958] Does the Mer Plastic Bumper Polish give a nice shiny finish ? And how long does it last ?

Did my tubes in a very half-hearted way over a month ago. Since then we have used the boat for eight days and it has spent five nights in the water.

A quick hose with fresh water, and it looks really great. The finish is really shiny and not slippery

I now have the motivation to do it properly, but I would rather be out on the water.

Maybe when I am on holiday!

The toluene does a superb job, just a little rubbing is required, but my tubes are black and although six years old, in perfect condition.

Good luck!

If you find something really good, let us know.

Tony

codprawn · 22 May 2007, 16:05

Where do you buy toulene from and not get your self arrested by the Gestapo as a terrorist???

Biggles · 22 May 2007, 16:10

Toulene. Isnt that part of the two part Bostik glue. Or am I talking crap !

JABS · 22 May 2007, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Where do you buy toulene from and not get your self arrested by the Gestapo as a terrorist???

Ribcraft sell it, but it is tough to ship. Hazardous.

If you know anyone in the chemicals business, they should be able to get it.

Read the HazChem sheet, though! It can be nasty stuff.

But, as I said, it smells great!

JABS · 22 May 2007, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Toulene. Isnt that part of the two part Bostik glue. Or am I talking crap !

Could be. It is a well known solvent.

JABS · 22 May 2007, 16:17

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCUBA-DIVING-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Or google Toluene suppliers!

Poly · 22 May 2007, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Where do you buy toulene from and not get your self arrested by the Gestapo as a terrorist???

I think the easiest place to get something similar in large quantities is gunwash? from a paint shop/supplier. IIRC it is not pure toluene but a mixture of similar solvents. And IIRC other people here recommend it for cleaning.

If you specifically want pure toluene then your local chemists might order it for you (less likely with a chain, rather than an independent) or since you have a business order it via that (to be delivered to a non-residential address) from the likes of aldrich or fisher - but pure toluene will be relatively expensive compared to gunwash.

codprawn · 22 May 2007, 16:42

I would be very wary about buying such products on Google - a bloke was raided by armed Police the other day for buying some saltpetre and a rucksack - seriously!!!

As to gunwash I did try some but it seemed to be streaking a bit and I was worried - could feel it dragging on the tubes.

The product I have experimented with was fantastic but I have just found out that it was something I had lying around that turned out to be 5 yrs old - guess what - they have changed the formula slightly so it isn't quite so aggressive - new EU laws again!!! I am being sent some samples of the new product which I am not sure will work as well - typical!!!

jwalker · 23 May 2007, 22:04

Stop fekkin about. Wipe it well with standard thinners (gunwash) and slap 3 coats of Klear onto it. Job done.

DGR · 25 April 2008, 18:34

JW,

Is the thinners + Klear still working for you? It's that time of year...again......

D...

v666 · 25 April 2008, 19:05

Did mine last year, cleaned well then applied Stoneglo (could not find Klear).

It has worked very well. There is no cracking and no evidence of it rubbing off.

Tim

Robbie Diesel · 26 April 2008, 10:09

I agree with J.Walkers advice, Thinners followed by klear worked well on my old boat. I used klear on my old orange humber a lot and never had any problems with it cracking or peeling off? The only problems i had were thet after 2-3 applications you'd have to wash all the old stuff off or it got gunky. I now have a polyurathane tubed Tornado that needs little or no cleaning