Association Forum - Keeping Fuel Locker and Dumpster Lid Clean

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Keeping Fuel Locker and Dumpster Lid Clean

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/17/2010 : 19:14:43

Anyone with a fuel locker have this issue ? It seems after a month or so, the inside of the fuel locker gets quite dirty looking and same goes for underside of the dumpster lid along the edges. The fuel locker must be from gas vapor perhaps when the vent is opened or the fuel hose is left inside on top of the portable fuel tank. The dumpster lid and gutter is probably the same, though, my spouse thought it was mildew. I usually clean the fuel locker every so often but not so much the dumpster lid and that's when I get the wrath from my spouse. So, the other day I cleaned both areas thoroughly and used a mildew blocker on the dumpster gutter and lid.

My thought is that this is all gas residue related. But how to minimize and is this common with others that have the same setup ? The last few times I went sailing, I decided to move the portable gas tank out of the fuel locker and then opened the vent. After sailing, I then stored it in the fuel locker. Not sure if I like doing this and not even sure if it does any good. Maybe some gas residue is coming from the end of the hose that was disconnected from the outboard. So...any thoughts ? Just clean the area regularly and/or is there a way to minimize the formation of the grime ?

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 06/17/2010 19:17:03

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5377 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2010 : 19:53:38

Every spring, I give all the hatches and lockers a good cleaning. I have to remove a lot of black stuff at those times. Principally, in the gas locker and the dumpster, but also in the starboard-side storage locker.

I use a few ounces of concentrated boat soap & a 1/2 cup bleach in a gallon of water to clean them out.

Then, every few weeks, especially after a wet period, the black comes back. I've often thought of painting the insides of the locker hatches black, but I just go ahead and clean them again.

I also get similar black stains inside the cabinet section of the galley. If I pull the drawers out and look up inside the cabinets, there's the same black stuff. I use a spray bottle to hit it with the same mixture, then wipe it down with a wet rag.

I think its more related to mildew than to gasoline, but who knows?

Edited by - Voyager on 06/17/2010 19:55:56

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2010 : 03:47:07

I added the 6 gal tank and I left the vent on the tank open, and it was really showed up. I could hardly get the stuff off.

Still seems to show up, but nothing like when I left that vent open.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2010 : 04:14:59

I don't have any issues other than in the fuel locker and the lid/gutter of the dumpster. Some of it is definitely grime and in the fuel locker it definitely is gas residue related. The dumpster lid/gutter seems to be same but maybe mildew...it was harder to remove not all grime consistency which more or less wipes off. Anyway for now it is gone. I was basically ignoring the cleaning of the dumpster lid/gutter and perhaps that was a combo of grime in the gutter and mildew on the lid. Now that it is all clean, i will keep an eye on it reforming. The fuel locker...I just don't understand why that area gets grime forming in just say 30 days, it is not like the fuel hose end is noticeably leaking...that's why I was thinking it may be for when the vent is open on the fuel tank and then gas residue forms in the locker. Good housekeeping solves the issue but I don't like to do housekeeping.

Your issue about it getting into the galley, etc....hmmm that isn't good. Do you have a solar vent or do you use something to help minimize moisture ? Maybe very humid conditions coupled with inadequate ventilation is causing the mildew condition ? I use a solar vent in the main cabin and kind of in conflict with that, I have a dehumidifier canister that I use up in the head/VBerth area where air is a bit more stagnant. These things seem to work as I have no issues inside the cabin/galley. The dehumidifer canister I have I bought a long time ago from Boater's World (West Marine does not sell it). It is the kind that you bring it home after a couple of weeks or so and plug it into an outlet. It heats the unit up and dries out the dessicant crystals. Then you hang it up or set it inside the boat. When the crystals thru the view window change color, then it is time to reheat/dry out the crystals at home again.

The dehumidifier I have is a Eva Dry believe the 500 model - website:

http://evadry.reachlocal.net/products.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 06/18/2010 04:21:47

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2010 : 05:43:19

When I clean the dumpster, which seems to collect more "gunk" (I do not have the seperate gas locker) I add some Clorox to the wash mix which helps -- a little. As I am on a mooring all season I also air out both lockers periodically while on the mooring.

With the dumpster my flustration is how to tighten the hinge screws/bolts . . .

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2010 : 05:49:05

My fuel locker doesn't drain well, holds water and does the same thing. I take a pressure sprayer or scrub brush & boat soap to it. It's a pain.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2010 : 08:57:54

Unfortunately the original DPO put a hole in the bottom of my fuel locker and chose to run the electric supply for my motor from the battery through the fuel locker and out the vent. I works great and I'm only a little nervous about mixing electricity and fuel vapors. But, it stops me from using a lot of water to clean it out. Unless, of course, I want to wash the aft berth as well.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2010 : 20:14:20

I checked my fuel locker and dumpster today. There were a few black marks which I easily wiped out with a rag damped with chlorine bleach. Last time I cleaned it out was early May.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.