Boat Cleaning

[gallma]

I'm sure this question has been asked before...but...<br /><br />I have insane growth on the bottom of my boat and on the engine (I/O). It's only been kept in the water since June, but the bottom of the boat is not painted. I've used a product called "In and Out" to get all the growth and stains off the sides of my boat, but I'm having a tougher time with the bottom. Any suggestions? I've heard that it's not good to use acid based cleaners on boat bottoms that are not painted. HELP!

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Boat Cleaning

So are you talking about an aluminum hull, if so there are several Acid Based cleaners designed for such... One is called ZING Formula 4, made by Zing Products out of St. Louis. I'm sure there are several others that do the same thing. <br /><br />Acid cleaners like the Zing, won't hurt the aluminum, but follow the directions and don't let it have a lot of time to work its way into rivets....

 

[gallma]

Re: Boat Cleaning

Okay, this may sound really dumb... but how can I tell if it's an aluminum hull??? I thought the hull was fiberglass. Are most hulls aluminum? BTW, the boat is a 1994 Chris Craft 197 Concept. <br />Thanks.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Boat Cleaning

It is Fiberglass! Alumnimum looks just like a Johnboat. Fiberglass is usually painted and much heavier. Do a "Search" at the top of this page and put in " Cleaning Fiberglass". You should come up with many hits on what to use.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Boat Cleaning

Also, there are Marina's that do (No Kidding), Bottom Scrubbing, for a fee, of course. Just another thought! But there are products out there that you can use yourself, that with some elbow grease, will do the job. I have a alumnimun boat, so I really don't know which product is best for Fiberglass.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Boat Cleaning

On fiberglass, some use oven cleaner and swear by it. Toilet bowl cleaner is tooted as the best. Oxalic acid is available at paint stores, usually sold as wood bleach and works well without damaging the gel coat. Use gloves and rinse as soon as you can with any of the above. If you are going to leave it in the water, you should apply an anti-fouling paint designed for the type of water you leave it in. If you are going to leave it high and dry, wax the boat thoroughly after cleaning.<br /><br />PS. Little or no elbow grease needed with any of the above.

 

[Keith1]

Re: Boat Cleaning

Use "Sno-Bowl" toilet bowl cleaner, kept my boat in the water last year and had to clean it in the fall. The Sno-Bowl takes all the slime and stains off with very little effort, just have to wax when it's all cleaned up. Use some gloves and safety glasses too.

 

[Neil]

Re: Boat Cleaning

stupid question time, what with and how do you wax it?<br /><br />I presume when it is waxed it is much easier to clean?<br /><br />NG

 

[Neil]

Re: Boat Cleaning

will these cleaners remove bumper marks too?