Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

[JeffsAV]

Arm & Hammer Scrub Free Bathroom Cleaner with Oxy Foaming Action. It is less than $5 a bottle at my local grocery store. I have a 31 year old bass boat with a white hull. When I purchased it, it look like it had not been cleaned for years. I tried test spots with Simple green, vinegar, toilet cleaner, to no avail. I then tried this shower and tub cleaner, and it took the stains out very quickly. Although it says no scrub, I still used a stiff bristle scrub brush to work it in and spread the foaming action around the hull to prevent streaking. I got my hull clean in about an hour and a half, and I am pumped to know I do not have to spend a lot of money on a "marine" product for this issue.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

This sounds like something I would be interested in, but would love to see before and afters. It is far too cold here in New England for me to try on my boat, but would like to see what it actually does.

Was your hull chaulky, what kind of stains, etc...

Thanks for the info, glad to hear people trying new things.

 

[JeffsAV]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Like I said, my hull is 31 years old, and well used. There are scuffed up areas, there are scratched areas, and there are smooth shiny areas. The stains were brown and very pronounced. The transom area was particularly bad around the motormount and various hole locations for drains, pumps, etc. I did not take pictures of before and after. The hull is not damaged by the cleaner, it is not perfect either. All I can say is that You should try it for yourself in a test spot, and see if you like the results. I was personally amazed.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Hmmm...sounds like an upgrade from Clorox Toilet Bowl cleaner - with Bleach!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

What about the vinyl numbers. How did it affect them? I have a boat with 6 inch tall vinyl names on both sides and would like to know before I try. Thanx.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

I will add it to the list come spring time!

 

[JeffsAV]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

The vinyl letters appear to be just fine.

 

[Chevysolid]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

What are the active ingredients? Any acid or anything?

 

[jqwhaler]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

It will probably remove any wax that you have on your hull. Not a problem if you plan on waxing after.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Last year someone turned me on to Soft Scrub bathroom cleaner for cleaning the deck of my boat, it works better than any thing else I tried. Another trick to remove brown or rust stains is wire wheel cleaner, but you can't let it contact aluminum.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Mr Clean Magic erasers.

Awesome on hulls. Actually just awesome on anything.

I just wish they made these bigger...way bigger.

 

[gil_happy]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Hello,

Basically I found myself in a similar position last year. I had purchased a used boat (SeaRay w/ fiberglass hull) with a very dirty hull and I searched the internet for cleaning solutions.

I ended up cleaning the boat and made it look brand new using the following:

- anything containing oxalic acid. This is usually found in deck cleaner, so just go into Lowes or HomeDepot and just look for deck cleaner. For this, it was matter of spraying it on the hull and letting it dissolve the algae etc and then scrubbing with a brush (this got the majority of it off). Don't waste your money on anything that says boat cleaner because it is probably just oxalic acid anyway.

- then you can buy a product online called 'Vertglass'. This is kit for cleaning the hull and also for shining it up. This works very well and it worth the price of admission alone. It takes some work, but will honestly make your boat look brand new when you are done.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Discovered inexpensive hull cleaner!

Most chemicals labeled 'Boat Cleaner' are also made to be safe for in water use, making most all but useless.