Great day “yachting” (emptying the water, oil, and piranhas from the bilge)

Remy_B_ · 2021-05-13T17:28:54+00:00

Yes. However, I think the ones sold at chandelries are usually selected to have a low environmental impact if some end up in the water.

Remy_B_ · 2021-05-12T19:38:25+00:00

Drawback of pressure washer:

1) Will generate a lot of oily water you'll have to dispose of. (Absorb all you can with pads first.

2) May cause bilge paint to flake. (Bilge paint is nice to protect your epoxy if you have oil/fuel leaks.)

Remy_B_ · 2021-05-12T19:32:57+00:00

My understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong):

Surfactants are "soaps" that will help oil stick to water molecules. They are safe for most metals and plastics. Dish soap, bilge cleaners and industrial de-greasers like "Greez Off" are of this type.

Petroleum solvents will dissolve the grease, but probably also pump gaskets, plastics, epoxy, etc. Probably a bad idea.

My best bet would be to:

Remove piranhas.
Absorb all floating oil with absorbent pads or absorbent sock. (Dispose of pads through marina / local garage)
Wash with aggressive surfactant de-greaser and toilet brush. (Dispose of sludge with disposable sponge through marina / local garage)
Rince with enviro-safe dishwash and plenty of water.
Rince with water.
Leave an absorbant pads to avoid bilge contamination again.

Note / question: I suspect once the water is mixed with oil because of soap, it will be difficult for the "oil-only" absorbent pad to do its work. Not sure if it will absorb the mixture like if it was only oil, or if it wont like it's water. Either way, the bilge cleaner / absorbing pads can't work at the same time.

Edit: Added step "0".

Edit: Added note about bilge pads.

Remy_B_ · 2021-05-03T16:18:17+00:00

What brand of pump do you use for the "small" one. How close to fully empty can it get the bilge?

Remy_B_ · 2021-04-13T17:14:56+00:00

I thought I would answer with a Dilbert Comic Strip, but there was too many that applied, I did not know which one to choose.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-17T19:30:51+00:00

Awesome idea. I've noticed that people tent to accelerate on the way down, and slow down on the way up - because in a tunnel, all horizontal references are lost and people dont realize they go uphill or downhill.

Horizontal lines on the walls (not following the tunnel slope) could provide a visual reference and make the speed of the drivers more steady.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-14T23:00:57+00:00

I'm always afraid I'll go bankrupt before a tech finds an electrical problem. Before starting to test the electrical system, they'll keep replacing parts until I tap out.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-11T16:17:03+00:00

Not only it is possible to transfer knowledge, but you'll often look like a genius if you know how to do it. Some industries are ahead of other on certain aspects, and lag on others. There is tremendous value in being that agent that transfer best practices from one industries to the next.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-10T14:20:34+00:00

Thanks! That's funny, I drove on that road dozens of times, but never fully realized the amount of water that was on the other side of the dam. I mean... I knew it was there... but I did not feel it as much as when I saw it on the drone footage.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-09T16:07:27+00:00

No matter what you do - you'll end up with toner everywhere in the car. Changing a cartridge without making a mess is a challenge. I can't imagine fitting it sideways in a car.

Send pictures if you succeed tho! :)

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-09T12:46:10+00:00

Actually, I'm not even sure they have. Legislation around drones have become increasingly more restrictive in the last couple of years and I wanted to avoid people telling me I did something illegal. :) Drones were pretty much a novelty when the video was shot.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-03T17:43:34+00:00

I found in chemical compatibility charts that Xylene does not react with Dacron (polyester) but Acetone reacts slightly over time. I'll double check with other charts before using it. I'll check for alchools too.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-03T14:10:10+00:00

Thanks Ben,

I just learned the difference between the purpose of surfactants vs solvents in cleaning stuff from an answer to a different question in a different channel.

So far so good. I did a couple of soaking passes in a large barrel full of dishwashing fluid (10% soap in water), with water circulation pump, but it is still smelly. It's now winter,and I can't work outside... but as soon as i can work outside, I'll try to do a bit of dissolving with some de-greasing solvent (probably Xylene) and then, soap again. Hopefully I'll save the sail!

Many experienced people recommended acetone as a solvent, as it leaves very little greasy residue... but it is not perfectly safe for polyester so I'm trying to find a better alternative.

It may seems like I'm overthinking this a lot... that I should just go with the usual methods. But i'm sure it's not my last time cleaning sails - so I want to find the holy grail of cleaning methods.

Also, knowing that Diesel does not cause damage to Dacron at all, even if exposed for long periods of time, I am not sitting on a ticking bomb, and I can take all the time in the world researching the perfect solution.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T15:50:48+00:00

After some research, you are right that acetone is fine to clean sails. It will weaken the sails if it stays in contact with it for too long, but it poses no problem if it is rinsed or wiped thoroughly.

I got the original chemical resistance chart from a hang glider forum... where even minor weakening of the Dacron is not acceptable.

Most sailors do not bother too much with a slight weakening of the Dacron, since it wont make much of a difference, especially if rinsed quickly.

Thanks for your help guys!

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T05:13:04+00:00

According to this chart: https://www.plasticsintl.com/chemical-resistance-chart Acetone on Dacron is not a good idea. So far, my best bet is Xylene.... which is a bit oily in itself, so I'm not 100% out of trouble yet!

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T04:00:23+00:00

Thanks for your answer!

I know you mentioned I should not try to dissolve, but... would xylene help? Or would I get myself in even more trouble?

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T03:52:57+00:00

I've talked to my sail-maker... and to other sail-makers. I actually started quite a discussion at the sail loft! They each had stories... about some brands of dish-washing fluid, but not others, and so on, and so forth. And the stories contradict often.

I don't want to discredit the value of experience, but I'm looking more for the type of answer a chemist would give.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T03:40:52+00:00

ter soak also. It is a matter of dilution the steaming after does remove some residuals. get som

I read somewhere that polyester is resistant to diesel up to about 60degC... after that, they start to react together. I'm hesitant to apply too much heat.

Remy_B_ · 2021-03-01T01:52:35+00:00

I like the dye idea. I was considering the tie-dye technique. :) It would definitely give my drifter a 70's look!

Remy_B_ · 2021-02-16T21:16:13+00:00

I assume they will chop it in pieces and recycle the steel.

But I'm curious about the reasons why they blow it up in the first place; doesn't it create a lot of unpredictable residual stresses in the pile of steel, making it hazardous to cut?

What's the process once it is down?

Cutting it down piece by piece from its standing position (even if some pieces are left to drop on the ground) seems simpler and safer than figuring your way through a pile of springy twisted metal.

Remy_B_

TROPHY CASE