Hull cleaning

zuunami · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:57 pm Post subject: Hull cleaning

Very new to us 2006 16' cruiser was left in the saltwater too long Smile

I've tried using CLR on the bottom of the hull, and it works, but tedious. Anyone have any preferences about what to use to take off those heavy bottom mineral deposits? It's also very oxidized, especially the green strip and bottom, going to start with Meguiar's Oxidation Remover, but anyone have other products they love? thanks in advance, soon I'll be able to more easily navigate the site to find the right past posts Smile

And, I hope I've properly uploaded this photo of a portion of the hull Smile

[http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=zuunami&id=K01_1631&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php][/img]

zuunami · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 6:05 pm Post subject:

let me try that image insert one more time... Smile

thataway · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 6:40 pm Post subject:

That appears to me to be barnacle bottom plates. They produce a glue which is as tough as any man made adhesive.

Start with fairly mild acids: Oxalic Acid is one I use. You go to a paint store and get a life time supply for about $20. Lowes and Home Depot should have the powder. Make a saturated solution.

Phosphoric acid is next on the scale. Barnacle Buster These both take some time, you have to soak the calcium to get it off of the gel coat.

Use some of the mildly abrasive scotch mesh pads. Just put pressure on the barnacle plate, not the gel coat.

As a last resort: use muriatic acid. This is powerful stuff--it is a very acid material. I use a respirator, full body suit and head of tyvex, and heavy vinyl or nitric gloves. In other words you don't want to breath the fumes or get the material on the eyes or skin!

The nuclear option is: You can take them off with a scraper. You can sand them off. But that is damaging to the underlying gel coat.

zuunami · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:27 pm Post subject:

thanks, Bob, yes I've seen Oxalic Acid in a lot of products. For the powder, what do you mean by a saturated solution? We use muriatic acid to shine up abalone shells, tho unfortunately not with as much protective gear as you - we wouldn't want to try this on the dory, it sits on concrete pavers in the driveway and I'm afraid they would melt Smile

I assume the "barnacle bottom plates" aren't going to continue to grow if we don't get them off in the next day?

and I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to do bottom paint until we get that cleared off Smile

thanks again

thataway · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:17 pm Post subject:

zuunami · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:55 pm Post subject:

thanks! Now, if this supposed fishing town only had a lift! Considering taking off one bunk at a time, that should be interesting. Or buying our own lift Smile

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:42 pm Post subject:

The 16 is light enough that using cribbing (or even concrete blocks with wood over, you can jack the boat up high enough to get between the bunks and the hull. Use safety precautions, and never put any body part between the boat and a bunk or support.