Barnacle remover?

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
The leg and props had barnacles all over them. They pressure washed most of them off but there's still that crusty crud where they were. Anyone found any miracle product to remove all traces of them?
 

Dead Eye

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 21, 2004
Messages
259
Re: Barnacle remover?

Yes, Elbow grease. I found you have to scrape them off. Someone should make bricks with them and build a house. It would be hurricane proof.<br /> Dead Eye
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: Barnacle remover?

yup, fully agree. something hard with a sharp edge and scrape, scrape, scrape....
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,073
Re: Barnacle remover?

Magster, They are easier to remove before they dry out. You could try to soak 'em in water for a few days, then scrape and sand.
 

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
Re: Barnacle remover?

They're organic so there must be something that breaks down their composition. I've heard (rumor)certain acids will soften them to the point where a decent pressure washer will take them completely off.
 

Silver/Fish

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
103
Re: Barnacle remover?

I believe in the organic method before reaching for any chemical, if it's the garden,yard,house, etc. You may want to spot test with good ole vinegar or "orange" cleaner??? Both weak acids...
 

AJ168

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
295
Re: Barnacle remover?

I've heard, not sure how true it is, that if you soak them in fresh water for a few days while they're still alive that they'll fall right off. I have no idea if it really works though.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Barnacle remover?

Go to Walmart and buy Snobowl toilet bowl cleaner.Only .99 cents.Saturate the barns and let it sit for a bit.A stiff brush should do it but I have been successful with a pressurewasher the same day as it came out of the water.If no luck with that,the buy some Marykate On-Off and that should work.Charlie
 

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
Re: Barnacle remover?

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> Go to Walmart and buy Snobowl toilet bowl cleaner.Only .99 cents.Saturate the barns and let it sit for a bit.A stiff brush should do it but I have been successful with a pressurewasher the same day as it came out of the water.If no luck with that,the buy some Marykate On-Off and that should work.Charlie
I heard that today too. It was muriatic acid as the active ingredient. Can anyone verify this?
 

Davenc

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 4, 2005
Messages
49
Re: Barnacle remover?

On-off has worked on every thing I have tried it on. I'm glad to see this thread, as I was just about to ask the same question.
 

treedancer

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
2,216
Re: Barnacle remover?

muriatic acid cleans conrete real good,dont know about Barnacles,worth a try on a small spot.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Barnacle remover?

Originally posted by magster65:<br />
Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> Go to Walmart and buy Snobowl toilet bowl cleaner.Only .99 cents.Saturate the barns and let it sit for a bit.A stiff brush should do it but I have been successful with a pressurewasher the same day as it came out of the water.If no luck with that,the buy some Marykate On-Off and that should work.Charlie
I heard that today too. It was muriatic acid as the active ingredient. Can anyone verify this?
It is not muriatic acid for sure.I think it said chloride on the label.
 

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
Re: Barnacle remover?

I'm try in this order;<br />* Pressure washing them off (3500 psi unit).<br />* Scraping with a hard plastic scraper.<br />* Chemical remover.<br />I'm not a fan of acids all over my driveway :) <br />I googled and found a few manufacturers that, if it works like they say it does, are 'miracle sprays'.<br />I'll post my results next week.
 

Ripfence

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
210
Re: Barnacle remover?

I am pretty sure that muratic acid and Hydrochloric acid are one in the same.<br /><br /><br />
Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /><br /><br />
Originally posted by magster65:<br />
Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> Go to Walmart and buy Snobowl toilet bowl cleaner.Only .99 cents.Saturate the barns and let it sit for a bit.A stiff brush should do it but I have been successful with a pressurewasher the same day as it came out of the water.If no luck with that,the buy some Marykate On-Off and that should work.Charlie
I heard that today too. It was muriatic acid as the active ingredient. Can anyone verify this?
It is not muriatic acid for sure.I think it said chloride on the label.
 

gstanton

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
451
Re: Barnacle remover?

I used a wedge of wood... with gloves... to knock them off. It did the job, although it took a LOT of elbow, and ripped the crap out of the gloves. Just cut a couple of wedges like you would for a door wedge (4 x 4 are easier to hold) and go at it!<br /><br />Then bottom paint<br /><br />Then a boat lift
 

gavin dunne

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
23
Re: Barnacle remover?

As a chemist I'd be very cautious about cleaning aluminium with muriatic acid (I presume it's an aluminium leg and prop). Sure it'll dissolve up the barnacle crud but it will eat into any exposed aluminium very quickly. If you must then, use only a very dilute solution and you sure better wash it off thoroughly. That's a beautiful boat you got so I'd stick with the elbow grease.
 

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
Re: Barnacle remover?

Originally posted by gavin dunne:<br /> As a chemist I'd be very cautious about cleaning aluminium with muriatic acid (I presume it's an aluminium leg and prop). Sure it'll dissolve up the barnacle crud but it will eat into any exposed aluminium very quickly. If you must then, use only a very dilute solution and you sure better wash it off thoroughly. That's a beautiful boat you got so I'd stick with the elbow grease.
The leg has the factory merc coating on it... I think it's powdercoating. The props are stainless. Thank you for the warning and I'll keep that in mind. :)
 

gavin dunne

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
23
Re: Barnacle remover?

Powder coating should protect the aluminium. Stainless will also be more resitant to the acid but will pit if left in contact with acid for a prolonged period.
 

waterinthefuel

Commander
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
2,728
Re: Barnacle remover?

Elbow grease worked on our houseboat. Knuckles were ground down almost to the bone, but we got it all off. That was the most awful experience I have ever had.
 
Top