FYI : GREAT cleaner

[abl1111]

Just used TSP ( Tri Sodium Phospate ) on my non skid as a booster for my boat suds - UNBELIEVABLE ! Makes regular boat suds turbo-like ! Buy at any hardware store for cheap.

[Reel Smoker]

Is that the name TSP? Who makes it? Does Home depot sell it? Thanks RS

[amadaeus]

Yes, home depot sells it in the paint department. works great when cleaning gas spills on the deck! this stuff works wonders!

later!
k-roc

[RS]

Carefull, it's strong stuff. It will etch (dullen) many paints and plastics, including plexiglas. Left too long or too strong it will etch glass as well. I used to use it to prep surfaces to be painted.

[SCSeacraft]

I agree with Roger,strong medicine not quite as bad a oxolic acid but close.se la vi to any wax you might have had on the boat but its great for stains.

[JAL]

TSP chemically is tri-Sodium Phosphate, a very alkaline (high pH) material that is especially good for removal of light oils, greases, etc. It will damage certain plastics like plexiglass (acrylic plastic).

Oxalic acid is a milder acid (relatively speaking) with a lower pH, but is excellant on removing mineral stains, especially rust (iron) or tanins from certain water (brown dis-coloration).

[abl1111]

I must be using just the right amount because it works wonders. Thx for the heads up on plastic stuff. I think that if you use it to clean, then wash it off, it will do what you want with no (-) effects.

[Briguy]

Any idea if it will remove waterline stains from gelcoat or if it helps with slime or barnicles?

[RS]

Any idea if it will remove waterline stains from gelcoat or if it helps with slime or barnicles?

Waterline stains, rust, leaf stains, etc are most easily removed with an acid based cleaner like On and Off, toilet bowl cleaner, barkeepers friend, etc. TSP is an alkaline based cleaner.

[Scott]

Abl ...Negatives of that stuff are that it is not very environmentally friendly ... Phosphates are bad and can wreak havoc on marine life. One of the guys I worked for had intimate knowledge of stuff like this is the environment, so he was always super critical of what we washed into the water. I have a large saltwater tank and if the phosphates climb too much it can choke the life out of my corals. I’ll grant you the amount your using should be small …but cumulative effects can create cumulative problems ….

That said a lot of the stuff we use is pretty nasty ...