SPOTTING FORMULAS
Spotting agents are normally available in the Ship's Store Contract Bulletin. Ample supplies of spotting agents should be obtained before your ship deploys overseas or leaves port for an extended period of time. The spotting formulas listed in table 6-5 are the ones generally used for removing spots and stains for the purpose indicated. They are included in this chapter for your information and should be used when satisfactory commercial products are not available. All ingredients of these formulas are generally available aboard ship.

Table 6-5.- Spotting Formulas Formula Chemical Composition When Used

General Amyl acetate . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part Used with water to remove ink, tannin, Formula . . . . . . . . Glacial acetic berry, lipstick, and dyestuff stains, or acid 99% . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/2 part stains that contain dyestuff. Safe on Lactic acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part all fabrics when cold, but not on all Oxalic acid crystals dyestuffs. (by weight) . . . . . . . . . . . 1/2 part Synthetic methanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part Paint Chloropicrin . . . . . . . . . . . . Good for removing all kinds of paint remover . . . . . . . . (Use as prescribed by and similar substances. the manufacturer) Evaporates completely. Prespotting Ammonia (26%) . . . . . . . . 1/2 part Used on paint, oil, tar, road oil, and soap . . . . . . . . . . . Hexalin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 parts asphalt to prevent SETTING during Oleic acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 parts the dry-cleaning process. Blood and Water (distilled). . . . . . . . . 11/2 parts tannin stains should be removed by (Can use plain water.) water before you dry clean. Wet spotters . . . . . . Acetone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part Wet and dry solvents are used to Castile soap . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 parts remove soil, paint oils, and greases. Chloroform . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part For very severe stains, or large areas, Ethyl acetate . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part DO NOT USE wet spotters. Synthetic methanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 part