West Marine Pink Stuff -Sale

[JLR]

I was in WM today and noticed they were having a sale on their pink stuff used to winterized. The price was 2.99 per gallon. I am going to need 45 gallons come December so I asked about how long it was on sale. The employee told me not to buy it because it did not have any corrosion inhibitors in it but to buy the other pink stuff at twice the price. Here is my question. When I winterize up here in NY, I blow out all of the fresh water lines so that I only use the pink stuff in the engines,the heads, and the A/C units. I re commission on March 1 so that the pink stuff is on the salt water side for no more than 90 days. It seems to me that under that scenario, so called corrosion inhibitors, to the extent they really are in the more expensive stuff, are a waste. In other words, salt water sits in these areas for all but 90 days a year. Why would using the cheap pink stuff be any worse than the salt water? Not really looking to save a buck-- just don't want to flush it down the drain- which is exactly what happens to the pink stuff every Spring.

 

[johnjen50]

That's a great question. I was looking just today to see who has the best price on that stuff. I went to the West site and if you look at the label it says "Not recommended for engines" in big letters. Because of the lack of corrosion inhibitors? However, Walmart has pink stuff at the REGULAR price of 3.49, different brand, you can see it online. I didn't see that warning on the Walmart product. I don't like the idea of staring at that label telling me not to use it on my babies.

 

[captddis]

I can't see what harm it would be on the raw water side. The sea water certainly does not have inhibitors in it.

 

[jim rosenthal]

If you really want the lowdown on this stuff and the different brands, the last issue of Practical Sailor has a comparison of all of them. I am out of town and don't have it here in NC but will post it when I get home. The WM brand did not do all that well. There are better alternatives. The testers' main concern was freeze protection, but they did look at corrosion inhibitors as well.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. Would like to see the results.

Dave - my thinking exactly.

 

[workingonadream]

if you are not worried about corrosion inhibitors use windshield washer fluid if it is cheaper than 2.99 per gallon. this is not a joke some old timers at my marina do it every year with no problem. I wouldn't do it but they do it without incident. i guess they are more laid back than me. if it makes you feel any better I use the blue winter ban -100 below zero at 10.50 per gallon just as an added insurance policy in cold new England. im sure you will figure it out good luck