Water stain solution?

[55Trucker]

Hi everyone. We just pulled our SeaRay 175 out of the water for the season. I just tried cleaning the underside with StarBrite Blueberry Boat Wash. I neighbor swore by it. However, on my boat it left a lot of the water stain at the waterline and below. I tried washing it twice and the second try was no better. Do you have any recommendations for how I can get my nice, clean, white gelcoat hull back?

 

[scoflaw]

muriatic acid or any product that contains it.

 

[BillK2632]

You need to use muratic acid like mentioned or buy an acid based hull cleaner like Mary Kate On/Off. Those stains are from tannins in the water and will not just wash off.

 

[440 Jim]

Try a product called Lime Away, get the version for lime/rust/calcium. I use it on my 2 CCs everytime they come out. Spray it on and rinse it off. May take a few applications,particularly around thru hull drains. I get it at DG (of course), takes about a bottle and a half for my 23' CC.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Bio-Kleen M01609 Fiberglass Acid Hull Cleaner, 1 Gallon https://a.co/iSZhQp2

 

[The Bill Collector]

Bio-Kleen Products, Inc. M00609 Fiberglass Cleaner Gallon https://a.co/7gsgM4W

 

[eweise]

Purchase some oxalic acid from Home Depot. It comes in powdered form. Mix with warm water and pour in pump up sprayer. Spray it on, watch the stain disappear, rinse well. Use gloves when mixing the acid.

 

[eweise]

Purchase some oxalic acid from Home Depot. It comes in powdered form. Mix with warm water and pour in pump up sprayer. Spray it on, watch the stain disappear, rinse well. Use gloves when mixing the acid.

Use about 2 cups per gallon of water.

 

[Little Ducky]

I use RustAid. The staining literally disappears before your eyes.

 

[55Trucker]

Thank you everyone. The only place I have locally to buy things like this is a Walmart a couple of towns over. They had one product - "Star Brite Hull Cleaner Gel Spray". I sprayed it on in a few places, came back a few minutes later, and the stain was desolving off! The very bottom is going to be tough given that I have to lay under there but at least I found something that seems to do the job.

 

[techmitch]

When you think you are done rinsing, rinse it again, especially your trailer.

 

[55Trucker]

Are you saying this because of potential damage to the gelcoat or trailer from the acid in the product? One thing I was concerned about, was the areas of the hull that are sitting on the bunks. I have not figured out yet how to clean them, and even through I soaked the bunks when I rinsed the bottom, I have a lingering fear that the hull could be damaged in the bunk areas. Am I worried about nothing?

 

[Njlarry]

Spent years boating in high tannic waters. Mary Kate on off was great but will corrode metals so rinse trailer well before and after use especially galvanized. Found Spray 9 nearly as good and less corrosive so we mostly used that.

 

[KevinC]

I always try to go mild to harsh: 1) Spray-9, 2) Barkeepers Friend (soft cleanser) and then 3) acid cleaner like Attwood Hull cleaner. Barkeepers is actually oxalic acid but a little more mild

All available online or at Walmart. Each will need a follow up wax to seal.

-Kevin

 

[Soulshine]

The Works toilet bowl cleaner.

Readily available and a buck a quart.

 

[Woody]

Thank you everyone. The only place I have locally to buy things like this is a Walmart a couple of towns over. They had one product - "Star Brite Hull Cleaner Gel Spray". I sprayed it on in a few places, came back a few minutes later, and the stain was desolving off! The very bottom is going to be tough given that I have to lay under there but at least I found something that seems to do the job.

I use muriatic acid and apply it with a garden sprayer. I would do one side of the boat at a time. Mist it on moving from on end of the boat to the other, go back to the start and rinse it off with garden hose. It doesn't have to be on any longer than that. If you apply with the garden sprayer there is no need to get under the boat and get dripped on.

 

[scoflaw]

This^^^^ and stay upwind