BOAT CLEANUP IDEAS

 

1.         WATER TREATMENT, SHOCK - 1 ounce 5% bleach to 8 gallons water.  Pump thru.  Predilute or add while adding water.

 

2.         WATER TREATMENT, REGULAR - 1 ounce 5% bleach to 15 gallons water.  Predilute or add while adding water.

 

3.         METAL GAUGES AND SWITCHES, Clean with toothbrush and white toothpaste.

 

4.         RUST/METAL DISCOLORATION - Dampen edge of cork with polish and spot, rub cork over stain.

 

5.         PITTED ALUMINUM - Scrub with soapy Brillo pad then MariKate Maxi Wax.

 

6.         SALT BUILD-UP - Rub with cotton rag and isopropyl alcohol.  Rub with kerosene.

 

7.         FOOD RESIDUE - Vinegar or lemon juice, let sit for a few minutes, wash down with soap and water.

 

8.         FIBERGLASS OXIDATION - Add 3 tablespoons vinegar to 1 gallon water.  Restore with 3M Marine One-Step Fiberglass Restorer and Wax as well as Aqua-Tech=s Polishing Compound/Ultra High-Gloss Wax.

 

9.         TAR SPOTS - Spray with oven cleaner, let sit 5-30 minutes, rinse with water.  Also, T.L. Sea Fiberglass Cleaner.

 

10.       MILDEW - Put bowl of vinegar in sink to prevent cabin air from getting stale and musty.  Also, hang light bulb in cabin.

 

11.       LUBRICATE STICKY ZIPPERS - graphite pencil or plain wax candle.

 

12.       WINDOWS - Car windshield washer fluid and newspaper.

 

13.       BIRD DROPPINGS - Cover with rag soaked in vegetable oil, such as Wesson.  Leave until droppings loosen.

 

14.       TAR ON DECK - Cover with rag soaked in vegetable oil, such as Wesson.  Leave until droppings loosen.

 

15.     CHROME HARDWARE SHINING - rubbing alcohol or an alcohol based window cleaner on a lint free cloth.

 

16.       COPPER AND BRASS - Vinegar and salt mix.

 

17.       SURFACE SCRATCHES FROM SOFT PLASTIC - Liquid car wax.

 

18.       SCRATCHED OR SOLVENT ETCHED PLEXIGLAS - Brasso.

 

19.       VINYL COATED LIFELINES OR FENDERS – Dull 3M scouring pad and StarBrite BlackStreak remover.  Alcohol also.

 

20.       VINYL CUSHIONS - Baking soda of any mild soap or detergent.  If mildewed, mix 3/4 cup distilled water, 1/4 cup H2O2, and 1 teaspoon ammonia.

 

21.       MOSS & SLIME OFF WATERLINE - Mix water and bleaching peroxide in ratio of 4:1, spray on, and wipe off.

 

22.       RUB RAILS - Or Black Magic rubber & vinyl cleaner (from auto supply store).

 

22.             HULL MARKS – Seapower cleaner/wax.

 

23.             DIESEL ODOR – Wash down affected surfaces with Calgon Liquid Fabric Softener.

 

 

 

 

 

BATTERY OPEN-CIRCUIT TEST

 

In the open-circuit test, the battery=s static charge is tested with a multimeter.  The battery should not be under load during testing.  If it=s been charging, it should be disconnected from the charging system for at least 2 hours.  The state of charge for a battery of 12.2 volts is 50% of a full charge.  Allowing a battery to repeatedly discharge below this level or remain at this level for an extended period will shorten the life of the battery.

 

Voltage (volts)                                 State of Charge %

12.6+                                                  100

12.4                                                    75

12.2                                                    50

12.1                                                    25

11.9                                                    0

 

 

BATTERY LOAD TEST

 

To run a quick load test (cranking and reserve capacity), crank the engine without starting (no more than 15 seconds)  and record the voltage on the multimeter.  At 60 degrees F, a reading of 9.6 indicates that the battery exceeds the minimum acceptable voltage and is in good shape for the season ahead.

 

Minimum Load Voltage (volts)                           Battery Temperature (F)

9.8                                                                               90

9.7                                                                               80

9.6                                                                               70

9.5                                                                               60

9.4                                                                               50

9.3                                                                               40

 

 

 

TESTING LIGHTS

 

Set multimeter to the lowest ohm scale.  The check is for continuity - a continuous electrical path.  If the reading is between 1 and 2 ohms, the connections and bulb are intact.  If the reading is OL or Infinity, an open circuit exists.  This would mean an open circuit of short circuit to ground.  An open circuit could be something as simple as a burned-out bulb.  A short circuit will require routing of new wire.

 

To prevent corrosion on bulbs, lightly coat the base with a dab of vaseline (the brass-colored bulb base).  Do not coat the actual electrical contacts.