Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

[Mangas]

I have an interesting question. I just pulled my boat out of the water after being in the water all summer. I winterized it and decided to clean the algae film on the side and bottom of the boat. I used a chemical cleaner called all-off to get rid of the algae, in combination with a powerwasher. I was amazed it took about five attempts and scrubbing with a brush as well in order to get it off. I then realized that there were hundreds of bubbles the size of a pinheads along the waterline mark where the algae was growing. I'm a liitle concerned did I cause this with my aggressive cleaning or powerwashing, or is this what they call osmosis and I'm looking at an expensive repair. Is it possible water from the pressure got under the paint or not? The funny thing is I don't see any bubbles on the other side that I haven't cleaned yet. Please help

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

You did not mention the year and make of boat. This information is always helpful.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

Osmosis is what you are seeing, generally harmless,but does not look very good, You'll see more when you clean the other side, if it bothers you to look at then you can sand down the bumps and allow hull to dry , sometimes water gets trapped beneath those bumps, then fill any voids with filler and antifoul paint the bottom.

 

[Mangas]

Re: Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

Thank you for the quick response! The boat I have is an 1986 18' Baja with a 200 Merc Black Max outboard. If this is osmosis that is occurring I take it is from the outside in rather than the inside out. Can't this process if not corrected go in deeper and cause the boat to rot over time. As well, could this been caused by aggressively powerwashing it?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

Hi Mangas,<br /><br />Quote from Northern Eclipse '...and allow hull to dry , sometimes water gets trapped beneath those bumps...'<br /><br />I question whether you're looking at gel-coat penetration. You mention paint. Is the hull painted, or raw gelcoat? Maybe you don't have a big problem at all.<br /><br />Small word of caution, if we are really looking at pinholes that have penetrated the gelcoat and have since been powerwashed. When you THINK all is dry, it probably ain't. We dried out a patch of affected hull for three weeks in real hot sun, with a final session on a workshop heater (electric,not gas - gas gives off a high degree of moisture in its combustion air) and we could still find moisture beneath the gelcoat! If you fill before thoroughly drying, and you really are talking gel-coat damage, you're just locking in future trouble. I don't have a simple solution - only alerting to the possible problem. <br /><br />Ciao

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Blistering/Bubbles ater removing algae

I then realized that there were hundreds of bubbles the size of a pinheads along the waterline mark where the algae was growing. <br />--------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Osmosis is like cancer when it starts it spreads........my experience has been blisters from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of quarters. The water gets in and starts to spread out.<br />You say pinheads along the waterline, if it was osmosis they would be spreading toward the bottom of the boat because of water pressure on the hull or vise versa.<br />If you have bottom paint the cleaner may be attacking the paint, trying cleaning the other side with some less aggressive cleaner. And just use the garden hose. Good Luck!!