Questions about hull cleaning

[Snobike Mike]

So I pulled the boat on saturday and as expected the hull is brown from sitting in the marina for 35 days or so (it will normally be a trailer boat but the boat took 5 weeks to arrive from ordering).

After searching/reading all about hull cleaning it seems that many comment on how good muratic acid works. I'm wondering if the acid does any damage to the hull.

Some info I've found posted is that if you use muratic acid you need to apply wax otherwise you'll get stains much quicker.

So here are my questions:

1. Is this because the acid damages the gelcoat?

2.Does the boat actually come with wax on it from the factory (my boat is new)?

3. If "no" to number 2, wouldn't that mean that it's foolish to use acid because then you make the staining worse after acid is used? (if there is no wax from factory, but wax is required after to slow staining, then logically the acid is damaging the hull causing stains quicker no?)

Looking for input before I create a bigger mess by cleaning the hull only making it tougher to clean in the future.

Thanks.

 

[salty87]

Re: Questions about hull cleaning

1. no, it's because the acid removes wax as well as grime. wax helps protect the gel.
2. the hull was probably prep'd by your dealer. the hull gets wax at the factory but that's to release the hull from the mold.
3. stains do not get worse because of acid.

clean it, wax it....the quicker the better too. some of that growth gets real nasty once it's dried out.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Questions about hull cleaning

go to your local dollar store,,buy "the works"toilet bowl cleaner,, pour it into a spray bottle,,spray on,,wait 15 seconds,,,either brush or wipe of then,,rinse down,,thoroughlty,BRILLIANT!!!
don't waste your money on all the overpriced snake oil w/ a boat label on it

and for those who say don't treat your boat like a toilet,,,,smartin up,,,your boats sittin in one