Another hull cleaning question

mattias

Member
Jan 27, 2019
105
Powell, Ohio
Boat Info
240 SD

Tow Vehicle = 2014 Diesel Grand Cherokee
Engines
350 Mag
Bravo III drive
We have a 2005 240sd that (for the 1st time), we left in our slip all season. We loved that, but it left almost a "stain" in our hull. We have been told that cheap toilet bowl cleaner will take it completely off and will leave the hull "white" again. 1 questions for all the experts here:

1 - does this work?
2 - will these acids harm a painted trailer?

Thanks in advance for all your beneficial knowledge!
 
1. Yes, usually
2. Yes, definately.

The trailer paint can be mostly protected by wetting it with water FIRST to dilute what drips, and rinsing well and often during cleaning.
 
1. Yes, usually
2. Yes, definately.

The trailer paint can be mostly protected by wetting it with water FIRST to dilute what drips, and rinsing well and often during cleaning.
My first slipped boat did not have bottom paint and every fall we had the same issue. I used Mary Kate On/off, which is just diluted muriatic acid. Its nasty stuff. But it works really great and fast. But..... I can tell you that no matter how I tried to protect the painted trailer and rinse it well after, its impossible to completely protect it. If you use acid t will absolutely start to corrode. There is a gel version that does not drip as much that might be better, but you will get acid on the bunks springs etc. My trailer looked like a POS after 5 years and I think 80% of the reason was the acid wash.

Toilet Bowl cleaner is just another form of gelled acid but much less strong. So it works slower but I expect is much safer for you and the trailer. I suggest trying that first, and MAYBE spot clean any stubborn stained areas you can't get clean with the gelled Mary Kate and copious rinsing after.
 
Slimy Grimy is safe to use - and works great. If there are areas where the slime is thicker, you may have to come back and gently rub it off with a boat brush (or by hand) - but it will come off easily. One little tub of the stuff is all you'll need.
 
IMG_5596.JPG

We used both muriatic acid, and Tidy Bowl, often times just using what was handy at the time. Both worked equally well although the Tidy Bowl was more user friendly. The fumes were less with TB. Used them on a Boston Whaler that sat on a galvanized, unpainted trailer. It eventually rusted where the products ran off the boat. It wasn't terrible but it did rust in spite of liberal flushing with water.
 
I'd just put muriatic acid in a pump up garden sprayer. Start on one end, mist the acid on, when I get to the other end I'd go back to the start take the garden hose and rinse boat and trailer. Don't spray ahead of yourself or into the breeze. I found it easier and faster to wash the boat first so that the acid treatment was only dealing with the stain. My painted steel trailer doesn't show any effects from the acid.
 
I have used Mary Kate Off/On and used muratic acid. Both worked great. But yes, protect your trailer
 
I'd just put muriatic acid in a pump up garden sprayer. Start on one end, mist the acid on, when I get to the other end I'd go back to the start take the garden hose and rinse boat and trailer. Don't spray ahead of yourself or into the breeze. I found it easier and faster to wash the boat first so that the acid treatment was only dealing with the stain. My painted steel trailer doesn't show any effects from the acid.
Spraying full strength muriatic acid could very easily result in major injury from the mist getting in eyes or on skin. I assume you mean very diluted acid.
 
That shit is harmless on your skin and doesn't bother my eyes, but the lungs it's brutal
 
We have a 2005 240sd that (for the 1st time), we left in our slip all season. We loved that, but it left almost a "stain" in our hull. We have been told that cheap toilet bowl cleaner will take it completely off and will leave the hull "white" again. 1 questions for all the experts here:

1 - does this work?
2 - will these acids harm a painted trailer?

Thanks in advance for all your beneficial knowledge!

Oxalic Acid, which is the main ingredient in Barkeepers Friend (BKF) is my go to for cleaning the water line brown staining. I recently came across a product called Fiberglass Powder Cleaner & Stain Remover by Boatlife that also contains oxalic acid. I used it this fall and it worked better than the BKF.
NOTE - I got that tip from this site years ago and have used it ever since!
 
I had success using the Mary Kate’s on and off gel. I would rinse the trailer concrete everything before and after. Used a sponge to apply, works great

My first slipped boat did not have bottom paint and every fall we had the same issue. I used Mary Kate On/off, which is just diluted muriatic acid. Its nasty stuff. But it works really great and fast. But..... I can tell you that no matter how I tried to protect the painted trailer and rinse it well after, its impossible to completely protect it. If you use acid t will absolutely start to corrode. There is a gel version that does not drip as much that might be better, but you will get acid on the bunks springs etc. My trailer looked like a POS after 5 years and I think 80% of the reason was the acid wash.

Toilet Bowl cleaner is just another form of gelled acid but much less strong. So it works slower but I expect is much safer for you and the trailer. I suggest trying that first, and MAYBE spot clean any stubborn stained areas you can't get clean with the gelled Mary Kate and copious rinsing after.
 
That shit is harmless on your skin and doesn't bother my eyes, but the lungs it's brutal
Muriatic acid out of the bottle (undiluted) doesn't bother your skin or eyes if you actually get it on you or in your eyes? Or are you talking about the vapors (poisonous chlorine gas) that come off when you use it?

Anyway, to the OP, don't take safety precaution advice from internet posts without doing your own research. Read up on your own. The safety sheets for muriatic acid will tell you the precautions you should take. My advice is follow them very carefully. If you think it wont hurt your hands or eyes if you spray it on them, do yourself a favor and put a drop on the back of your hand for 30 seconds and you will get an idea of what it will do.
 
Directly on hands no problem, fumes to the eyes same. Fumes to the lungs an attention getter for sure.
 
Gotcha! How bout the trailer? What should I do to protect it?
 
Gotcha! How bout the trailer? What should I do to protect it?
See post #2, or any of sever others

Pay no attention to Creekwood

He seems to think that the concept of personal responsibility means seeing what others think is reasonable.
 
I used to work with all types of acid all the time but with appropriate PPE. I have been using muratic acid the past few years and this year couldn't find rubber gloves so used a sponge with my bare hands. Had a couple of small burns where the skin was gone but a few days later I was as good as new. Not saying everyone should do this but that skin heals pretty good. I wasn't scared
 
Spraying full strength muriatic acid could very easily result in major injury from the mist getting in eyes or on skin. I assume you mean very diluted acid.
Muriatic acid is diluted hydrochloric acid, about 30%. Yes you should be careful with it, like I said 'don't spray ahead of yourself or up wind'. For those that need to be told....definitely don't drink or inject it. Stuff works real good and quick, about as fast as you can spray it on and rinse, sparkling white and clean.

You do have some control with the garden sprayer, it's not like you're fogging for mosquitos.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,865
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top