Algae Stains

[Fishinerie]

Have my new boat in the water at a Marina on Lake Erie. I have noticed that it is developing some serious green staining at and below the water line. What is a god cleaner to use to remove this once I pull the boat for storage this fall. I am wondering if I should have the boat bottom painted before next season.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Algae Stains

If you get Right at it when it's Still Wet,.........

It'll come right Off with a Powerwasher,+ Maybe alittle Scrubbing.............

Around Here,.........
Most folks go with a periodic Scrubbing with a Brush,......
Rather than Bottom Paint..........

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Algae Stains

There are a few products to clean fiberglass stains.I use one that is a blue gel.FSR I believe.Works in seconds.If you are not bottom painting next season,I would recommend putting a coat of wax on the bottom in the fall and then waxing it off with another coat just before putting it in the water in the spring.Leaving the wax on all winter will be a big benefit to you.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Algae Stains

Simple Green, alot of scrubbing.... since it is in the water a good green scrub pad (or a bar-b-q scrub pad - not metal has a handle)and bring it up near a shallow area and scrub while it's still in the water.

I once purchased a boat that was left in the water and the bottom was black. At first I thought it was paint but it was lake scum. Took me a week of work to get it all off.

You need to clean it or it will severely hinder your boats performance.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Algae Stains

If it's really bad you can use muriatic acid in a small garden sprayer, caution...use eye and skin protection. Spray it on and leave for a few minutes and then powerwash off or use a soft brush, some people even apply this by brush or roller. Another caution don't use this if you have a galvanized trailer as it eats up the galvanizing too!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Algae Stains

I've done a bit of research on using Oxygen Bleach for everything from cleaning wood decks to cleaning that black algae we get on roofs here in the south. Based on everything I've read, I'd try the following:

6 oz. Shout Oxy Power (Marketed by SC Johnson). This product contains 75% sodium percarbonate (a.k.a. oxygen bleach, the active ingredient in OxyClean type products). This is the highest % of sodium percarbonate you'll find in readily available Oxygen Bleach type products (OxyClean contains 50-60% sodium percarbonate). Oxygen Bleach has a good rep for killing algae & other organic growth while being alot safer than chlorine bleach.

3 oz. diswasher detergent (adds a surfactant for general cleaning that won't foam & make using a sprayer more dificult).

1 gal hot water.

Mix & allow 5 minutes or so for everything to disolve well.

Spray the boat bottom with the mix using a pump type garden sprayer. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes (keep damp by respraying as neccessary) to allow the oxygen bleach to kill anything organic on the boat bottom.

As necessary, rinse off, pressure wash, or scrub bottom using the most convenient method (push broom?).

This is recomended for cleaning decks as well. The oxygen bleach doesn't break down the lignins in wood like chlorine bleach does, is safe on plants, & is much safer than on the environment in general.

I've used this on decks with good success; if anyone tries it with difficult algae on their boats, please post back with your results.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Algae Stains

On/Off. Wear gloves, goggles, stay upwind during application.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Algae Stains

Ditto Mattt !!!