cleaning my hull

[Borgey401]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this thread so forgive me if it's not. I purchased a boat in the beginning of the summer. This is my first boat (besides a 12 ft johnboat) so I have got a couple scuffs and stains on it over the summer. The hull did have some scuffs and stuff on it from the previous owner also. After all it's a 1974 so that's got to be expected. The top of the bow,gunwale, and inside of the hull is also a blue color and the rest of it is white. The blue is not so shinny anymore and seems "faded". There is also tints of a yellow on some of the white parts of the hull (mostly below the water line). What I would like to do is get rid of all the scuffs n stains and also bring back the blue color. It would be nice to get rid of the very faint yellow tint on some spots of the hull also. But, I don't know what kind of products to use for this. Are there any products out there that you guys/girls would recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

I have tried to use Simple Green but that has no effect on the stains. I think I need a strong cleaner with maybe some type of acid? Also will a stronger cleaner take the blue color away from the boat?

 

[NYBo]

Re: cleaning my hull

Hull cleaners often contain oxalic acid, as do many toilet bowl cleaners.

Magic Eraser can work wonders on various stains, too.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: cleaning my hull

The only thing that got mine clean was 3M Restorer & Wax. I also used it with a buffer to get the shine back to my faded Gelcoat.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

will those acid products discolor the blue on the top of my bow and gunwale tho?

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

The only thing that got mine clean was 3M Restorer & Wax. I also used it with a buffer to get the shine back to my faded Gelcoat.

did you have scuffs or were there just stains? I seem to have some black scuffs and stains from who knows what else LOL.

 

[whitecrystal1]

Re: cleaning my hull

Slimy Grimy is the best thing I've found for cleaning water line and below stains and it non-acidic.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: cleaning my hull

As long as the scuffs are on the surface. If they are dug into the gel, then no it doesnt work. This stuff took off all the scuffs from the rubber bumpers, trailer bumps, etc. I was trying to get something else clean when I accidently hit the yellow stains, and it left a clean white spot. So it worked perfect for that too. Heavier areas required a buffer. I had to use an erasor looking thing that mounts on a drill to take the old stripes off. I found it at the local automotive paint shop.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

Thanks for the tip on the toilet bowl cleaner and the Magic Eraser. The cleaner got my hull SO WHITE! And the Magic Eraser has gotten off some scuffs and stains that I didn't think were possible to remove LOL. Is there anything I should do after these steps to maybe "protect" the hull? It's not the nicest boat but I still want it to look decent ya know....

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

I had to use an erasor looking thing that mounts on a drill to take the old stripes off. I found it at the local automotive paint shop.

Hmmm maybe I'll have to check that out. Any idea what it was called?

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: cleaning my hull

3M makes one called a stripe removal wheel. You can get them on Amazon.com too. I found one for less money at the local paint shop.

NYBo mentioned magic erasor. I never used one to clean the hull, but they work great on upholstery.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

3M makes one called a stripe removal wheel. You can get them on Amazon.com too. I found one for less money at the local paint shop.

NYBo mentioned magic erasor. I never used one to clean the hull, but they work great on upholstery.

Thanks I'll be looking for one of those wheels locally. I actually used a couple Magic Erasers on my hull and it worked pretty darn good. I mean there is a couple of stains it did not take out but for the most part it did the job. I feel pretty guilty about washing a bunch of toilet bowl cleaner down my driveway tho since I live literally right on the water. I think it's the last time I'll be doing that.

 

[cribber]

Re: cleaning my hull

And after you get it clean put a nice coat of 3M marine wax on it to help keep it nice and shiny.

 

[spunkyman]

Re: cleaning my hull

Magic Erasers are wonderful with some water and Spray 9. You can try a fantastic product called Professional Hull Cleaner by Aquatek. google it. i spray it on for lake scum after the season and wait 10 mins and it basically before your eyes, the scum vanishes !! Just pressure wash it off for any residue.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

And after you get it clean put a nice coat of 3M marine wax on it to help keep it nice and shiny.

That's my plan, I hope that it will make the blue fiberglass shiny again. It's just so dull and I can't stand it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: cleaning my hull

Just use a hair dryer and the tape will pull off.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: cleaning my hull

If you are going to replace the stripes, go to an automotive paint store and buy some 3M tape.It's alot cheaper them oem stuf and just as good

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: cleaning my hull

Just use a hair dryer and the tape will pull off.

No they wont. I actually used a heat gun. Not a hair dryer, but a heat gun. Gets way hotter than a hair dryer. Neither a hair dryer or the heat gun worked on mine. I had to use the wheel.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: cleaning my hull

If you are going to replace the stripes, go to an automotive paint store and buy some 3M tape.It's alot cheaper them oem stuf and just as good

Agreed. I bought pinstriping at the local Autozone. Simple black stripes worked perfect and were on it for 3 years before selling the boat.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: cleaning my hull

Wow, that's pretty awesome so it looks like that's what I'll have to do for sure!