Boat gas on pontoon boat carpet

Little Bear · 09-02-2011, 09:58 AM

I had a gas tank erupt on the stern of my pontoon boat. I closed the vent prior to Irene's arrival, and left it closed while I was gone. When I returned I found that the tank had apparently erupted due to heat, which spewed gas all over the carpet on the stern.

It's discolored the carpet some, but the smell is really bad. Any ideas on how to remove this smell other than time and air?

Kamper · 09-02-2011, 12:44 PM

Let it dry out then maybe baking soda and water. Just don't let rinse water run into the lake.

Good luck!

bkgoodman · 09-02-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Bear

It's discolored the carpet some, but the smell is really bad. Any ideas on how to remove this smell other than time and air?

Time and air are two important factors that cannot be undermined!

In addition to these:

I think the best thing I've done has been to use a "steam cleaner" or "steam vac" - (which don't really use "steam") - but any of the types of machines that soak it with hot water and sucks it away - irrigating the carpet with hot, soapy water. You could even do this with a bucket of HOT water and soap, and a shop-vac if need-be.

Heat - not a lot, but a little - like for example, leaving them in the sun (or heated room, or a sun-room), as opposed to a frigid shed all winter long. Obviously, if there is any risk of *fumes*, then *don't* keep them in an enclosed space. - Have to add this for liability ;-)

But like I said, you will need time, air and warmpth to get to job from 95% to 100% done!

jrc · 09-02-2011, 08:53 PM

Time and air will remove the gasoline and its smell but usually not the other stuff in the gas. I would use a detergent, at least some simple green to soak it and then rinse it with clean water. Bk's idea of the steam cleaner is a good way to do this.

I bet the barometric pressure drop during the storm caused your eruption. This is why there is a vent in the first place.

SteveA · 09-03-2011, 05:48 AM

http://biogreenclean.com/

I haven't used this product, but I've talked to someone that used it to clean oil spills on a garage floor. He loved it.

Good Luck.

Little Bear · 09-07-2011, 06:54 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Great Northern Cleaning · 09-12-2011, 05:30 PM

We can come to your location and clean your boat carpets. We use van-mount carpet cleaning. www.greatnortherncleaning.com

09-02-2011, 09:58 AM	#1
Little Bear Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 561 Thanks: 105 Thanked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Boat gas on pontoon boat carpet I had a gas tank erupt on the stern of my pontoon boat. I closed the vent prior to Irene's arrival, and left it closed while I was gone. When I returned I found that the tank had apparently erupted due to heat, which spewed gas all over the carpet on the stern. It's discolored the carpet some, but the smell is really bad. Any ideas on how to remove this smell other than time and air?

09-03-2011, 05:48 AM	#5
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	You may want to try this... http://biogreenclean.com/ I haven't used this product, but I've talked to someone that used it to clean oil spills on a garage floor. He loved it. Good Luck. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

09-12-2011, 05:30 PM	#7
Great Northern Cleaning Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Belmont Posts: 89 Thanks: 17 Thanked 37 Times in 26 Posts	Carpet cleaning We can come to your location and clean your boat carpets. We use van-mount carpet cleaning. www.greatnortherncleaning.com

09-02-2011, 12:44 PM	#2
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,296 Thanks: 67 Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts	Let it dry out then maybe baking soda and water. Just don't let rinse water run into the lake. Good luck!

09-02-2011, 08:53 PM	#4
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Time and air will remove the gasoline and its smell but usually not the other stuff in the gas. I would use a detergent, at least some simple green to soak it and then rinse it with clean water. Bk's idea of the steam cleaner is a good way to do this. I bet the barometric pressure drop during the storm caused your eruption. This is why there is a vent in the first place.

09-07-2011, 06:54 AM	#6
Little Bear Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 561 Thanks: 105 Thanked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Thanks for all the suggestions.