anyone ever acid wash their hulls?

[Taradise]

if so...what precautions do I need to take and what product did you use? Just looking for a good way to really clean the bottom after sitting in the lake for 5 months - I did pull it out about every 4 weeks to wash the bottom but there is still a noticable dirty water line...

 

[dpvandy01]

Avoid the nose bleeds and use Super Iron Out... your boat will turn white in seconds. No scrubing

 

[Taradise]

Avoid the nose bleeds and use Super Iron Out... your boat will turn white in seconds. No scrubing

thanks dpvandy01...where can I purchase this product?

 

[dpvandy01]

Home depot, Lowes, Kroger... Once you have the "growing stuff" cleaned off just add about 5 caps of Iron Out to a 1 gallon pump sprayer and spray it on. You're gonna be stunned.

 

[sbw1]

We use Zing to get the grass off. It is available in most marine stores. It's hydrochloric acid. I have a 1/2 gallon of HCL and wipe the hull down in the spring with a towel that has a diluted solution of HCL on it. This takes all of the water marks off prior to polishing and waxing. This stuff ruins clothes and towels. Wear rubber gloves and throw away the towel when done. If you wash the towel it will come out full of holes.

 

[Windjammer]

Used "On-Off" - with a spray bottle - grabbed a sackful of quarters and headed to the "do it yourself carwash". Hull had a nice layer of "green grunge" and the usual "ring around the bathtub".
Sprayed the stuff on (make sure you are not downwind - fumes will take your breath away!), let it sit for about 4 minutes and hit it with a soft bristle brush, then washed and rinsed - came out clean as a "hounds tooth". Be sure to rinse everything real well.

 

[Luckydogs]

I use Hull Cleaner which you can purchase from Walmart, cheap and works really well. Be sure to cover your trailer and re-apply wax afterwards.

 

[dpvandy01]

Used
Sprayed the stuff on (make sure you are not downwind - fumes will take your breath away!), let it sit for about 4 minutes and .

My point exactly about Iron Out. No pesky fumes, stand where you like, no need to wait 4 seconds much less 4 minutes, and only requires a rinse afterwards. Next time I need to use it, I'll video the event. I promise I'll make believers out of all of you:thumbsup:

 

[Michael]

My point exactly about Iron Out. No pesky fumes, stand where you like, no need to wait 4 seconds much less 4 minutes, and only requires a rinse afterwards. Next time I need to use it, I'll video the event. I promise I'll make believers out of all of you:thumbsup:

Dan,

Have you ever tried to use it to get rid of bird droppings? If so, how did it work on that? I am thinking about trying it if it works out.

Michael

 

[beerman]

Dan,

Have you ever tried to use it to get rid of bird droppings? If so, how did it work on that? I am thinking about trying it if it works out.

Michael

I use black streak remover for bird stains. Works great and safe for gelcoats.

 

[Michael]

Never thought about using Black Streak Remover for the yellow bird stains though will give it a shot.

Thanks!!!!

Michael

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I use West marine EZ ON/OFF but have to cover the galvanized trailer to prevent etching of the trailer. SO I cover with a cheapy painters plastic...

I'll have to try the Iron Out... see if it works as well and less $$..

 

[dpmulvey]

Are these products strictly for the water line down or for the whole hull and deck? How does it effect the rubber / caulk.

 

[r_moss]

Just don't get the acid on your galvanized trailer.....

 

[Taradise]

I found Super Iron Out at Lowes and tried it today...WOW...it worked GREAT!!! totally worth the $15 bucks for the 5 lb bottle of this powder. I used 5 caps in 1 gal and had plenty left over...I'll have plenty of this stuff for a long time! WAY better than the precautions you have to take using acid

Here are a before and after pics:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[dpvandy01]

Finally a believer! Looks good. Easy huh:smt038

 

[Taradise]

Finally a believer! Looks good. Easy huh:smt038

EASY?!? HUH! "easy like Sunday mornin's"

I was really impressed!!

 

[firecadet613]

Just spray it on, and rinse it off? I'm assuming it will take the wax off also?

 

[Taradise]

Just spray it on, and rinse it off? I'm assuming it will take the wax off also?

I sprayed it on...used a soapy brush and washed it off then rinsed...I am sure it takes any wax off but its time for a coat of wax before winter anyway. I talked to my dealer a while back and he said that if you wax the bottom of the hull the minute you cruise the lake the wax is gone...there was a thread on here about a boat being slower when the bottom is waxed but I still dont understand how that could be...

 

[Ken@dockside]

We acid wash about 10 hulls a day at the shop, its works well but you must take the boat off the trailer. It will eat the bunks in no time. If we dont have time to get it off the trailer we use a product call Slimmy Grimmy. Works pretty good and safe on all surfaces. And enviromentaly safe.