Waterlines and Fuel Stains

[LetsRock]

I apologize if this is covered elsewhere but what is recommended to remove deep waterline stains as well as fuel stains under the vent? I want to get these cleaned up before waxing.

 

[mvoellinger]

Start with a hull cleaner then move on to the more serious stuff - on & off. Be careful though, its straight acid and will take the galvanizing off a trailer, burn your skin clothes eyes and nostrils, and also eat rocks.

 

[Pyrojodge]

I like to use meguires oxidation remover and then wax... always taken the tough stains out for me...

Depending on what you are dealing with...
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/47254-Iron-Out-Demonstration?highlight=Iron+out

 

[LetsRock]

Start with a hull cleaner then move on to the more serious stuff - on & off. Be careful though, its straight acid and will take the galvanizing off a trailer, burn your skin clothes eyes and nostrils, and also eat rocks.

Can I assume that it will also eat away at any pinstriping it might come in contact with?

 

[Molson]

I used on & off and it didn't eat the striping.

 

[mvoellinger]

Can I assume that it will also eat away at any pinstriping it might come in contact with?

Neither affected my pin striping on either of my boats. It's essentially muriatic acid so for spray on then rinse thoroughly, just avoid un painted metals etc.

 

[LetsRock]

I used on & off and it didn't eat the striping.

Will it damage the outdrive? I assume it would eat away at the alumminum trailer it is sitting on.

 

[Molson]

I cleaned my outdrive with it, but I rubbed it on quickly then washed it off

 

[LetsRock]

I cleaned my outdrive with it, but I rubbed it on quickly then washed it off

One more question, do you wet the area before applying on and off or does it go onto a dry surface?

 

[sbw1]

Muriatic acid is cheap and effective when used to clean gel coat and outdrives. Zing from a boat store or generic gallon jugs of acid from a pool supply store work equally well. For that matter Tidy Bowl works fine too but is a totally different chemical. You do need to wear old clothes and eye protection. Just spray the product on and brush it off with a brush that is resistant to the chemical you use. If you are doing the work in your driveway, use lots of water on the concrete drive to dilute the runoff and make sure you really hose the drive down as you work. The concrete will be cleaner in the work area initially but returns to the previous color as time passes. You also need to protect the trailer, particularly if it is galvanized as these chemicals will discolor it. Again, use lots of water.

 

[Molson]

One more question, do you wet the area before applying on and off or does it go onto a dry surface?

I'm pretty sure I did it dry. I did wet my trailer and driveway down though. I applied it with a old towel wrapped around a boat brush.

 

[LetsRock]

The On and Off worked amazing. Thanks to all. The boat looks great.