Lake scum

[drknute3]

Lake was very dirty last weekend and now the bottom of the hull has brown stains. Anything short of muratic acid I can use to remove it?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Lake scum

Start with soap and water and move up till you find something to get it off.

Maybe wait till you go out again and it is wet, lake scum gets tough when it is dry.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Lake scum

For a light dosing of the stuff try some toilet bowl cleaner. If that doesn't work use some Mary Kate On & Off. That will definately remove it - but it is caustic. Use proper protection when using - and stay upwind.

 

[drknute3]

Re: Lake scum

Bought some Sea Safe and it works great. Its basically an oxalic acid that is mild in nature but just sprays on, sit for a couple minutes and then hose it off. Works really good.

 

[JB]

Re: Lake scum

Shucks. I thought this thread was going to be about PWCs and bassrockets.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Lake scum

HA! Thats funny!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Lake scum

Shucks. I thought this thread was going to be about PWCs and bassrockets.

you mean jet fleas??

 

[haskindm]

Re: Lake scum

FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) is available in most marine supply stores. I believe it is also oxalic acid. It removes that brown scum like magic. If your boat is on a galvanized trailer, wet the trailer down first and hose it off thoroughly when done. The FSR will turn the galvanization dark. Don't ask me how I know this....

 

[carpaediem123]

Re: Lake scum

I always use Star Brite brand hull cleaner. just spray it on, and rinse it off. Works like a charm every time!

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/176130128.htm

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Lake scum

Has anyone tried this cleaner? My friend picked up a bottle to try (we haven't yet) but if you check the link, it has a lot of NOs in it which sometimes relates to NO cleaning power.

Just wondering if anyone has used this or even the other Spray Nine products for this purpose (they seem to be the most easily accessible cleaners in Canada) as we can pick them up at Crappy Tire

http://204.202.239.40/product_info....d=422&osCsid=1222d59c330ec7d5f3c0188d0e48cfff

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Lake scum

I bought some stuff from wally world called "hull cleaner" that worked pretty good.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Lake scum

I've seen that stuff at Wally World and was going to try it. Thanks. If the Spray Nine doesn't cut it, I'll try that stuff. It's pretty cheap if I remember ($8-9) a bottle in Canada.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Lake scum

There's really a company named Crappy Tire ???? You got to be kiddin' me !!!!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Lake scum

Sorry gcboat, it's actually Canadian Tire. That's more of an endearing nickname it earned (much like Wally World for Walmart)

I'm trying to think of a US equivalent (sells sporting goods, housewares, tools and even automotive) but I can't of the top of my head.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Lake scum

The "Hull Cleaner" from Walmart, Meijer, etc is from Starbrite. We've used it an dit works really well. Since we bought it, others have posted that it is essentially oxalic acid that you can buy cheaper elsewhere (can't remember where, though). Be sure to wear rubber gloves etc!

I'd start out with basic soap and water and/or power washer, then work my way up through different (increasing expense and toxicity) until I found one that worked.

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: Lake scum

I had bad luck with the Spray Nine cleaner. I used it on the sides of my boat right under the front rails were the fiberglass is white and it left behind what looks to be run marks in the gel coat. Tried washing it and tried using the 3m oxidation remover and it is still there. It looks like were it was sprayed ate through the gelcoat. It does not say on the bottle anywhere not to use on fiberglass. Has anybody else had this happen to them?I'm kinda p----- off when i look down the side of my boat closely and can see run marks in the gel coat that i cannot get off.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Lake scum

Thx mrmushroomman. I'll be sure to test a spot before using the Spray Nine stuff just to be sure. It's not worth the few bucks to ruin the finish on the boat.

 

[Firestar]

Re: Lake scum

I've used "Scrubbing Bubbles" with positive results.

 

[SunTrackerPB21]

Re: Lake scum

Lake was very dirty last weekend and now the bottom of the hull has brown stains. Anything short of muratic acid I can use to remove it?

How about "Simple Green"?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Lake scum

Has anyone tried this cleaner? My friend picked up a bottle to try (we haven't yet) but if you check the link, it has a lot of NOs in it which sometimes relates to NO cleaning power.

Just wondering if anyone has used this or even the other Spray Nine products for this purpose (they seem to be the most easily accessible cleaners in Canada) as we can pick them up at Crappy Tire

http://204.202.239.40/product_info....d=422&osCsid=1222d59c330ec7d5f3c0188d0e48cfff

Just to followup. A few folks suggested Star Brite Hull Cleaner for cleaning (Walmart carries it) It worked great on the brownish stains on the surface of the hull (my boat sits in the lake from May until end of Sept)

However, it required a quick sponge on, sat for a few minutes spray off and repeat. Worked well except for the heavy build up on the back of the boat.

Used Spray Nine Hull Cleaner. It's a gel containing Oxcylic Acid and it worked great but use gloves and make sure you rinse everything down well afterwards.