Hull cleaning products

[Local46er]

Just purchased a used boat and it was in the water for the summer, the Marina it was docked at didn't have the cleanest water. Now there is a nice sum line on it. Tried soap and water but very little luck. Any products to make this process a little easier on the arms and shoulders. It's a fiberglass hull.
Thanks for looking.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

try sno bowl toilet cleaner

 

[bruceb58]

welcome aboard.

try sno bowl toilet cleaner

Yep. I also use oxalic acid in a bug sprayer. Make sure you wash your trailer very well after either method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IER1gzjLizM

 

[thumpar]

I use Starbrite instant hull cleaner. You just wipe it on with a sponge and then hose it off. No elbow grease required.

 

[bruceb58]

I use Starbrite instant hull cleaner. You just wipe it on with a sponge and then hose it off. No elbow grease required.

Starbrite is 5-10% oxalic acid.

You can buy powdered oxalic acid for a fraction of what the Starbrite costs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OXALIC-ACID...l-FREE-SHIP-/131579248189?hash=item1ea2bbfe3d

http://www.greendept.com/maximpulse/...sds_409772.pdf

 

[thumpar]

Starbrite is 5-10% oxalic acid.

You can buy powdered oxalic acid for a fraction of what the Starbrite costs.

http://www.greendept.com/maximpulse/oxalic/Resources/star_brite_msds_409772.pdf

Good to know. When my bottle is empty I will be mixing my own.

 

[bruceb58]

I have a lifetime supply. Little goes a long way.

 

[RGrew176]

Some won't agree with this method but if it is a white hull I used on my last 4 boats Muriatic Acid in a bug sprayer. I sprayed it on straight up and rinsed as soon as the discoloration disappeared. Worked very well for me. No elbow grease needed. Spray and rinse off and done.

 

[bruceb58]

Muriatic acid is Hydrochloric acid which is the same thing as the Sno Bowl toilet cleaner.

 

[RGrew176]

Muriatic acid is Hydrochloric acid which is the same thing as the Sno Bowl toilet cleaner.

That is true but straight up muriatic acid works a lot quicker than Sno Bowl. I have used both. Like I said above not everyone would agree with using muriatic acid straight up but it works for me and I see no reason to change my method.

 

[four winns 214]

Wal-Mart sells an oxalic acid hull cleaner in sporting goods for $7-8 if you don't want to roll your own. Most Wal-Marts, but not all, carry it. As mentioned, oxalic-based stuff works like magic and a little goes a long way. One bottle will do the entire hull on a 21' boat. Do rinse well any painted surfaces it touches.

 

[bruceb58]

That is true but straight up muriatic acid works a lot quicker than Sno Bowl. I have used both. Like I said above not everyone would agree with using muriatic acid straight up but it works for me and I see no reason to change my method.

Muriatic acid is typically 2 to 3 times more concentrated than sno Bowl. Probably just have to be more careful using it and not let it sit as long.

 

[thumpar]

Wal-Mart sells an oxalic acid hull cleaner in sporting goods for $7-8 if you don't want to roll your own. Most Wal-Marts, but not all, carry it. As mentioned, oxalic-based stuff works like magic and a little goes a long way. One bottle will do the entire hull on a 21' boat. Do rinse well any painted surfaces it touches.

I was just looking and you can get 2lbs of 99% to mix yourself for $8.70 with free shipping on Amazon. That should last into my next generation.

 

[BRICH1260]

I use the WalMart stuff too, just replace the screw on cap with a trigger sprayer. Like others have said, basically spray it on, no rubbing needed. You do have to watch your trailer, especially if it is aluminum. I wet my trailer down well before spraying and rinse it well when done.

 

[bruceb58]

I looked back at what I bought. 20lbs for $27. When I got it I realized I will never use half of it in my lifetime.

 

[dingbat]

I use Attwood biodegradable hull cleaner from Walmart. $6.95 a quart

Pour 1/2 quart in sprayer and cut 50% with water. Costs me less than $4 per season and I don't need a hazmat suit and a EPA application certificate to apply it.

 

[bruceb58]

I use Attwood biodegradable hull cleaner from Walmart. $6.95 a quart

LOL...Which is also Oxalic acid.
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdf...368275a9f0.pdf

 

[Local46er]

Thanks for all the suggestion. Really appreciate it.

 

[dingbat]

LOL...Which is also Oxalic acid.
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdf...368275a9f0.pdf

It's all about the concentration. For my application, removing tannic acid stains, I get away cutting the product's concentration in half. That's half the number of dead lung tissue while doubting the "value" of the bottle of cleaner.

 

[bruceb58]

It's all about the concentration. For my application, removing tannic acid stains, I get away cutting the product's concentration in half. That's half the number of dead lung tissue while doubting the "value" of the bottle of cleaner.

I can make mine any concentration I want for abut 1% of the cost of the bottled products.