Bubbles on hull after cleaning

[wmbreck]

I think I may have a propblem - hopefully not to big.
This week I cleaned my hull (70's Larson white fiberglass) with a prouduct I bought from the local marina.
It said apply with a brush full strength and then was off with water.
I did that and now there are hundreds of small bubbles all around where I cleaned. I did not leave it sit for 20 minutes but rinsed fairly quickly.
Any ideas what I'm looking at here. I heard sometimes they shrink back and maybe it is best to leave them alone as long as they don't open up and expose the fiberglass underneath. Would a coat of goat boat paint around the whole thing be in order? I just hope I'm not looking at a major issue here.
I feel sick about it!

Thanks

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Post a pic.

It seems unlikely that any cleaning product would spontaneously form bubbles... it may be that the hull glass was prone to blistering beforehand, or that the blisters were there and absorbed more water/cleaner during cleaning.

Hull pox (hull blistering) happens sometimes on boats made in certain ways... it can be treated if you have an idea what the cause is, and dont' mind the work and expense.

Erik

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Possibly but it was completey smooth before the cleaner was applied. And now everywhere it was brushed on has tiny bubbles. I saw one or two that appreaded to go through. The rest did not. So this did not apprear to be the normal blistering I've read so much about already where water got trough the gelcoat so there should not be water behind these.

So I'm wondering if I can just watch them and see what happends and if any begin to 'open' up when it goes back in the water. Some say it is crazy to start popping all of this little things - most are smaller than a pencil eraser. I suppose they could just 'reharden' over the winter if no water is leaking in?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

I agree with erik, this is a new one on me. Post some pictures if you can. This doesnt sound like blistering, but I guess it is possible.

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

I'm home and the boat is at lake Ontario. But I'll see if I can get a pic or two.

 

[ghamby]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

. Would a coat of goat boat paint around the whole thing be in order?
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Maybe, but what do you do about the smell?

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

What product ? what is its main active ingredient ? did you ask the Marina W T #

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Again, I don't have the product with me but it did have acid-tone in it.
And again it did say to use full strength. Perhaps I did not rinse it enough?
Either way, I need to know what I've done and have to do if anything?

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Does oxalic acid sound familar ? Maybe a white crystal that comes in a cool whip lookn container that you mix w hot water ? Slimey Grimey ?

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

No. It was in a white and red bottle with a fairly thick liquid. Very strong smell. cautioned you not to breathe it in or let it touch your skin. Just poured it onto the brush and stroked it on. The brown stain on the boat came of instantly. Then I took a bucket of water and rinsed it off. Again, maybe not enough rinsing?

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

I should have read your post a little closer.. I would have realized it wasnt a powder. I have used that Oxalic for years with out a problem Thats why i asked. Call the Marina Ask what they sell in that particular bottle Find out the active ingredient and post it so others can share thier infinate wisdom with u!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Hello Breck..

I dont know of any product ( aside from stripper ) that would attack gel..

I can only assume that it attacked some kind of wax or some kinda coat that was over the gel ( ARE you sure its gel ?? )

If it is gel..and the gel blistered for whatever reason..then repairs are going to be needed. I would not want to coat over it untill they are repaired.. sorry..

But for now..lets think positive.. Let us know What Product .. and some pics.

YD.

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Not what I wanted to hear but it is what it is. The product is locked away in the shed. I'll be there in Oct. and will get the name. But I asked someone who lives there to try to get a few close up shots. If I get them I throw them up right away. The marina has a website and i'm going to email them and see if they can give me the name of the stuff.
Thanks again

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Product is called "On Off"

Here is a link that shows it.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2339

 

[sasto]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Appears to be some kind of paint and not gel coat.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Looking at the MSDS sheet, that cleaner is basically just Hydrochloric, Phosphoric, and Oxalic acid in about 1/3 purity in cream form.

So basically you're looking at an acid reaction of some type... if there was some non inert coating on your boat, like paint with some base (higher pH) components or something trapped under the top layer of coating then it could well have created bubbles by reacting with the acid.

My money would be on a layer of paint that the acid penetrated and reacted with. Gelcoat wouldn't react at all nor let acid through unless it soaked for weeks in a huge tub of acid, that's why you can clean most boats with acids.

I'll bet money that somewhere the manufacturer says "don't apply this to paint finishes" and I'd guess that's what you have.

Be aware that some of the better quality paints out there look just like gelcoat, or even harder and shinier.

If bubbled paint due to acid is the problem, you're looking at a repaint to cure it, but you could use it in the meantime... the bubbles won't go away other than by peeling off paint, but it won't necessarily hurt anything other than your speed and the looks of the boat.

Erik

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Thanks. that is at least encouraging to hear. hope that is it. Ill put the picx up if I can get some, so this could be fixed by sanding and repainting if Im fortunate? But how much speed would actually be lost if left this way? 10?

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

http://johnsonlarson.homestead.com/index.html

Here are 2 pics of the blistering from the boat. Just scroll down to the last to photos. You'ii see that 2 small spots apparently went all the way through the coating. They have to be repaired of course, as will any others that appear. But the question is, 'will the others stay as is and keep the water out if they harden up and stay put? Please says yes - even just to may me feel better
I sure don't want to have to tear into half of the boat if not totally needed because we only use it on vacation which may only be 10+ days a year and it is 325 mile from home and not left in the water for long periods of time. If a light sanding and good coat of marine paint would 'hold off the evil day' that would be the preference and maybe a day or two of work when the lake is too rough to go out (Lake Ontario)

Thanks again

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

I can't quite be certain from the pics (I need a real close-up) but it sure looks like paint over the original gelcoat to me.

Whether the bubbles stay or pop soon depends on what's in 'em, but over time (say a winter or cold weather) they'll definitely pop and need repainting to look good. They're not going to harden or go back to being worthwhile paint, that paint job is pretty much done for at this point.

There's no worry about water getting in though - underneath the paint is your boat's original gelcoat, which looks to be a different color than the paint. Water getting to it won't go anywhere or do anything, it's the original hull of the boat, it'd even be fine if all the paint came off.

What you're looking at is just your boat looking bad until you sand it down and repaint. Speed wise it might cost you 2-3 miles an hour at most.

Other than your boat looking like it has some type of pox, this is not a big deal. It won't get better, but it won't cause any more damage than you did with the cleaner, either. It'll look worse as the paint starts to flake off in that area, that's all.

In the future, make sure you know whether your boat is painted or is gelcoat before you pick your cleaner

Erik

 

[wmbreck]

Re: Bubbles on hull after cleaning

Thanks Erik.
The only thing I wonder about is those 2 spots in the pic that seem to go all the way through. Sure 'looks' like raw fiberglass there?