how to clean brownish color off gelcoat?

[THEMACDADT]

hello all, my boat is a 1997 and is in great shape but im starting to notice a bronish or rust color forming on the bottom and below the water line as well as arround the outdrive. whats the easiest way to get rid of that and what do i use? the boat is on a trailer.

i heard that a certian kind of acid maybe (sulfuric) would take it right off but would it harm the gelcoat? anybody esle heard of that?

thanks again.....todd

 

[techmitch]

Here ya go, http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...339&familyName=On-Off+Hull+and+Bottom+Cleaner wipe it on and rinse it off. but I will say, rinse well especially your trailer.

 

[cbjr]

I bought some Attwoods hull cleaner (I think that was the brand) at Wally World and it works very well.

 

[Phlorida]

+1 On-Off will take care of it

Here ya go, http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...339&familyName=On-Off+Hull+and+Bottom+Cleaner wipe it on and rinse it off. but I will say, rinse well especially your trailer.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Go to your nearest Dollar store or grocery and buy a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner. The kind with the crooked neck. Put on wet boat brush and brush on the brown/yellow color. Let sit for 3-5 mins and rinse off if you want or just let it do its thing. It will not harm anything... No need to scrub the brown off afterward. It will dissappear...

I do not recommend Lysol brand however since it does not work as well as other brands. It has a different ingredient in it from all the others.

 

[blackdog043]

+2 On & Off, Rinse everything well!!

 

[Kreole Kid]

+3 on the on and off. WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES!!!!!!

Not just latex gloves, I mean something like the chemical resistant type!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fwebster]

Cheapest but not the safest is to use a 50% solution of muriatic acid and water in a spray bottle. Keep a hose nearby and watch the wind.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Does the On Off turn bottom paint green or will harm a painted trailer?

 

[wish2fish]

Go to your nearest Dollar store or grocery and buy a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner. The kind with the crooked neck. Put on wet boat brush and brush on the brown/yellow color. Let sit for 3-5 mins and rinse off if you want or just let it do its thing. It will not harm anything... No need to scrub the brown off afterward. It will dissappear...

I do not recommend Lysol brand however since it does not work as well as other brands. It has a different ingredient in it from all the others.

worked for me but I used a rag and gloves to wipe it down. (be careful and discard the rags and gloves)

Cheapest but not the safest is to use a 50% solution of muriatic acid and water in a spray bottle. Keep a hose nearby and watch the wind.

cheaper than dollar store toilet bowl cleaner?


Need to wash and then get good protective coating on there.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Does the On Off turn bottom paint green or will harm a painted trailer?

Good question, Yes, it will eat galvanized coatings. Always best to wet down the trailer or better yet, cover with cheap DOLLAR store plastic or expensive West Marine plastic... Not necessary with toilet bowl cleaner, just wet down the trailer before applying with brush to stained area.

 

[THEMACDADT]

Just got back from the dollar store and bought the crooked necked ( johnny fresh) cleaner. Im trying it on a section arround the outdrive now, 10 min. And so far i dont see a improvement. I will let it set some more and add some more and let you know. I am also trying a little section with just bleach. If all else fails i will be driving to 20 miles to the closest west marine and purchase the on-off and let you know.

P.s. The ingrediant in the johnny fresh says phosphorus acid.

 

[wastinaweigh]

Rust-Aid from Home Depot or Ace Hardware works well.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

The stuff I get from the $ store is The Works and it has 20% hydrogen chloride as its active ingredient...

 

[Lazy Daze]

On/Off works great - but as mentioned, you have to be very careful and it can harm things.

Slimy Grimy works just as well - spray it on, watch it disappear before your eyes. It's safe for trailers and won't harm the surrounding grass/flowers/etc. I sometimes do "spot" areas using my fingers to spread the solution. Works great on wooden decks, etc, too.

 

[jacktm]

On off the best
Listen to these guys and protect youself and trailer. Keept the trailer wet or cover most of it with a tarp and it will be fine.
One tip I have found is do it as soon as you pull your boat out. I trailer mine home and have everything set up.
1. Power wash
2. Spray on with deck sprayer and let sit for about 15 minutes
3. Powerwash off again
4. Re-apply to tough spots and hit them with scrub brush
5. Rince and done

PS It will take off bottom paint

 

[fwebster]

HCl is muriatic acid..............

Toilet bowl cleaner only works if it is acid based..........bleach based cleaners won't remove tanic acid stains (as you have discovered).

 

[THEMACDADT]

ok, went to west marine and picked up the on-off. unbelievable how great this stuff works!!!!!!.. the stains literally disapear in front of your eyes. no scrubbing, just apply and rinse off. thanks alot for a perfect solution all!!!.....
todd

 

[barryg]

Do what Frank said. Muriatic acid and water. Make sure the bottle is one that is chemical resistant, wear gloves, eyewear and a breathing mask. Do NOT inhale, and definitely watch the wind. Spray on and you can use a rag to scrub off, then wash with water. Dispose of the acid where allowed. Do not polite the water or water table.

 

[dpvandy01]

Ironout. Done