Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

[bear_69cuda]

Hello,

I have some yellow waterline stains on my hull bottom, so I purchased 36% HCL and a garden sprayer to remove the stains.

My questions are,

What concentration should I use? 10%? lower? higher?

How long should I leave it on the hull?

And any recommendations on what to use to seal up the gel coat? Wax or some other type of sealant?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

A number people I know and myself have used it right from the bottle to remove heavy alge build up on boats that have been moored all summer and haven't seen any discoloration or damage to the hull. Normally it is washed off as soon as it stops bubbling.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

Nothing will really seal the gel coat, waxes and such last only a short time in the water, so if it's just in the water for the day it may help.
I never do it, but if you clean the hull right when you pull it out of the water and beore the water dries on it the results are much better. After the stains dry for a few days they become far more difficult to remove. Every body of water will be different and so will the gel coat on each boat, some waters will leave the hull fairly clean and others will leave heavy stains.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

bonz_d and ondarvr for the advice and info...

Anyone with concentration suggestions other than full strength? It kinda worries me...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

I tend to run bleach and acid failry strong, sometimes almost straight from the bottle on tough stains. But I always do a small area first to see what strength I need and see if there are harmful effects.

The trailer will be affected more than the hull if you use strong acid.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

You might want to wear a respo .. stuff can get nasty.

I agree with no waxing .. It will take you longer to apply it then it will to get worn off ..

YD.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Muriatic (HCL) acid to clean hull bottom, and sealer application afterwords

You might want to wear a respo .. stuff can get nasty.

I agree with no waxing .. It will take you longer to apply it then it will to get worn off ..

YD.

Thanks doc!

You use at full strength also?