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Looking after a Helipad

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by TomSlade, Apr 23, 2011.

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  1. TomSlade, Apr 23, 2011
    #1
    TomSlade

    TomSlade New Member

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    Hi My first post - not sure if there is a more relevant place to post my question but here goes.

    How do you remove stains / deep clean a Helipad?

    I have just started working a boat with a Helipad that is badly stained - dirt mainly but also maybe spills from deck cleaning products.

    I dont actually know what the stained surface its made off but I have seen the same stuff on other helidpads and assume its universal, I have also seen deckies sanding helipads on other yachts. There are what look like small sanded patches on our pad - is sanding the only way to get it clean?

    ANy advice greatly appreciated
  2. AMG, Apr 23, 2011
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    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Hi, why can not the yachts captain tell you how? Without knowing the material, this is the only advice I would give.
  3. TomSlade, Apr 23, 2011
    #3
    TomSlade

    TomSlade New Member

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    Im on a big boat in a small port - no one nearby with a helipad to ask hence posting here. All new crew - no one on borad as looked after a helipad before. Last year when I was on another boat the yacht next to me sanded their pad - the shavings blew over to us - it was some kind of synthetic material. Im just assuming all pads have similar specialized coatings and thus I might find someone who can help me identify the material
  4. AMG, Apr 23, 2011
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    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    There must be a library onboard on the construction and suppliers where you can find out. Or ask the shipyard. I have seen different materials, from teak to just non-skid paint. Perhaps they have the same as on synthetic tennis courts? Like Plexipave..?
  5. Capt Bill11, Apr 23, 2011
    #5
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    What does the material look like, can you post a picture of it?
  6. colintraveller, Apr 23, 2011
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    colintraveller

    colintraveller Senior Member

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    Is the Helo Wheel based or skids ??


    USN don't bother with the hassle of deep cleaning to remove marks offcourse they do wash the flight deck but they are more concerned about Debris that would/will cause issues

    IMHO your fighting a losing battle attempting to remove the marks every other occasion ..
  7. CaptTom, Apr 23, 2011
    #7
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    you can just paint it like these guys. :D

    Attached Files:

  8. YachtForums, Apr 23, 2011
    #8
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Wash it down before the stains sets... ;)

    Seriously, I had an R-22 in a T-Hanger with a cement pad about a hundred years ago and I used a 50/50 mix of Clorox and water to bleach the pavement of oil/fuel stains. Obviously you can't do this on yacht's heli-pad, but petroleum based spot cleaners or mineral spirits can be helpful on non-skid heli decks.

    [​IMG]
  9. Yacht News, Apr 24, 2011
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    Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    "Lady Christine" works well ;)
  10. K1W1, Apr 24, 2011
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    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Arent they the ones who wash their Chopper in the sea as well?

    The stains on your helideck might well be oil and such that have leaked out of the Heli while it was parked there or being worked on there.

    Does this material look like teak but is a composite?

    Try K2R first if it doesn't work try a few of the Deck Depts Deck Cleaning materials like Teak Plus and Teak Minus - these work wonders to get soot stains off inflatables.
  11. TomSlade, Apr 25, 2011
    #11
    TomSlade

    TomSlade New Member

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    Thanks for the responce

    CHopper has never landed and never will - we have the pad but not the fire fighting/saftey gear! - not even sure the boss has one.
    Will try to post pics
  12. efields811, May 3, 2011
    #12
    efields811

    efields811 Guest

    In my former life I operated a fleet of turbine-powered machines for a major oil company. We discovered that some of the paint used on the offshore helipads would stain and soften with repeated exposure to the small drips of turbine and hydraulic oils left by the aircraft over time. When that happened, repeated landings with wheel geared machines like the Sikorsky S-76 would result in the small "sanded patches" that you describe.