Muratic acid will make them look like brand new again.

 

Muriatic acid does a great job of cleaning boats. It will likely be be a solvent on the bottom paint spots on your tabs depending on the paint used. Almost assuredly, it will degrade the appearance of your fresh bottom paint job if you get it on the fresh paint, so be careful not to get it on paint you want to preserve. I will try to dig out a pic of what it does to bottom paint and post that in this thread.

 

This pic shows what paint looks like when too much acid is used at fall layup. In this case it turns the metals on the paint a blue/green color. The fix is recoat the surface with new paint.

 

ugh. yeah that would suck. my bottom paint is at least 5 years old but it sat on the trailer from 2015 till we bought it in summer 2018. its still in pretty good shape but could use some touch up. personally i'd rather not have bottom paint but oh well.

thanks on the muratic acid. wasn't sure if it would be ok on the aluminum or not. need it for my SS props anyway. might as well get everything done while i have time and it's sitting in the driveway.

 

Are you guys sure about Muriatic acid on stainless steel? I have always heard the opposite - it definitely does a number on galvanized trailers. I would personally look a using some type of solvent - acetone, denatured alcohol or maybe even a paint stripper to get the bottom paint off - you can figure it is an alkyd based paint. Next I would use a scotch pad to clean them up (not steel wool or brillo pads) and then if I was really wanting to get them pretty I would finish with a polish like Brasso or even Buff Magic if you have some laying around.

 

I plan to dilute the acid at first to test it on the props. Maybe a 50/50 with water.

 

The Works toilet bowl cleaner! I know your laughing but it works great on outdrives, tabs , props etc! Best part is its around $2!

 

So looks like when they did the bottom paint they slopped it on the trim tabs too. Not covered but spots. What can I use to clean them? Muratic acid? Something else? Scotch-Brite pad? Want to get them looking like new

If its fresh bottom paint, A 4" wire wheel for a small grinder will take it right off. without say you must be out of the water. LOL

 

This might be a stupid question. I mean mine stays in the water year round, but why worry about it at all? Don't you normally paint the tabs when you do your bottom paint? Except the area where the zinc bolts on mine are painted

 

I use a green scotch brite pad on my tabs every few months. My 290 DA stays in the water 365 so they build up a good layer of growth after a while.

Not sure why you would paint them because they are stainless steel and look nice when they are clean. I've seen some bigger boats with theirs painted but they are also a bit further under water with bigger swim platforms over top which would make access a bit more difficult.

 

For any boat kept in a slip, I’ve always painted the tabs, even on the 22 footer I have now, and also on the 19 footer I had years ago. Also, I’ve always used a primer on any application to bare metal to ensure the paint will stick to the stainless. I’m less concerned about what the tabs look like, and more concerned about minimizing growth, especially barnacles, which may not be a concern where you are. I’m beginning to consider applying some type of paint to my running gear, maybe prop speed, but I haven’t got very far with that yet.

 

mine stays in all summer but it bothers me that they aren't nice and shiny...lol

 

Mine gets growth on top and bottom of the plates as well as barrnicais. Even painted I have to scrap them about once a month. I can't imagine what they would be like unpainted

 

Took my trim tabs off, sent them out to a chrome plating shop,they dip them in their parts/prep tank, charged me 30 bucks , they came out looking just like they were new ALMOST LOL , in the box.
Before, on bottom , after on top

 

Got them looking pretty good. Used Green Envy muratic acid and a scotch brite pad. look pretty close to new

 

I've got to see a picture....please

 

Ask and ye shall receive...lol. this was just the Green Envy muratic acid with green scotchbrite pad and in the hard to get corners used 500 grit sandpaper. you can see it's slightly shinier where the sandpaper hit it

 

Ask and ye shall receive...lol. this was just the Green Envy muratic acid with green scotchbrite pad and in the hard to get corners used 500 grit sandpaper. you can see it's slightly shinier where the sandpaper hit it

No sacrificial anodes on your stainless tabs? I have them on mine. I wonder why none on yours?

 

Yes. I guess a muratic liquid can help you eliminate the effects of paint getting on the trimmer. Although you'll see the stains of that liquid on a flat surface. In this case, only polishing this surface or pressure washing can help. If I were you, I'd contact a pressure washing company to wash it after a muratic liquid, which will do everything quickly and without hassle. This way, I clear my car, boat, and even the roof of our house. The road near the house is too dusty, and some kind of caustic dirt often settles on the roof. Rain can't clear it at all. Employees from the pressure cleaning company can go to any place you want.

 

I would not use a steel wire wheel. Small bits of carbon steel will be embedded in the surface and can rust the stainless.
Not sure about muriatic acid and whether it will take it off, but paint stripper will and is much less harsh.

 

I'd keep the acid off aluminum!

 

Scratching up aluminum tabs will make it easier for new growth to stick. After you clean spray some quality clear coat.