Muriatic acid/bottom paint

[Scaaty]

Theres another thread that people seem to want to tell someone to use muriatic acid on a hull waterline green scum line from sitting in salt. Problem is, this hull HAS BOTTOM PAINT. <br /> I don't feel like making any foes here in IBoat land, so after my opinion was put forth (what does not wash off, just repaint over it), I just let it slide.<br /> I have NEVER used any kind of acid on an unpainted, much less bottom painted hull. Heck, Im a wrench...I leave whats on the bottom after a Powerwash to Mother Nature, and my bottom paint (ablative) works just fine sitting in salt. But I have never given a thought to using acid on paint. Anyone have an opinion?

 

[Captn Dave]

Re: Muriatic acid/bottom paint

Robby,<br /><br />It may have been my post that you read about using muriatic acid. <br />Someone had suggested using On-Off for above the water line hull stains. On-Off, which is also an acid, costs something like $12 a quart. You can get a gallon of muriatic acid for less than $3 at Home Depot.<br />I've used it on stains that Chlorox wouldn't even touch and it removed all of the brown stains that were above the water line. <br />I wasn't suggesting using it on bottom paint and wouldn't recommend it either.<br />I have always used just soap and water to wash the slime off the bottom paint when I hauled my boat in the fall.<br /><br />If you do use muriatic acid, keep in mind that it's pretty strong stuff. Wear rubber gloves and rinse/wash the hull after using. <br /><br />And as I mentioned in the other post, someone also recommended to use Tidy Bowl for removing stains above the water line. I've haven't tried that one yet. <br /><br />I hope this clarifies my previous post.<br /><br />Dave

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Muriatic acid/bottom paint

Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) is good for removing iron stains from fiberglass hulls. It should NOT be used for bottom paint as it would leach out the antifouling compounds within the bottom paint. Most toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid to remove the iron stains commonly found in toilet bowls. Bulk muriatic acid is simply cheaper. As with any chemical use precaution when applying. It can be diluted somewhat and still work effectively.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Muriatic acid/bottom paint

I was going to also state the obvious that the best way would be to just buy a gallon of bottom paint in the same color and just raise the waterline. What the heck, the only way to a clean hull is to leave it on the trailer!

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Muriatic acid/bottom paint

Muriatis acid is use in the boating biz to clean those stains above the water line.The only thing is,Its used before a bottom job is to be done not after.