Been gone 20+ years...I'm back. Question--removing mold/crap from an old boat

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knot2much

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Mar 13, 2012
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Sold my last boat in 2006 (17' Nitro, 150 HP Merc V6), been away since then.
I just today bought an old (mid/late 70s) 17' bowrider that has been sitting for "at least" four years.
Full of leaves and crap, it's going to need a lot of help. So for starters, how do I clean off the mold and crap that is all over the hull?
I'll get to the interior soon, and try to get the engine (85 HP Merc) to run, but I want to get a little cleanliness going here.
Thank you in advance!
 
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MikeSchinlaub

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It could probably do with a good acid wash. That should do for any hard water deposits and other crap. If it's particularly thick, probably a good blast with a high pressure power washer too.

Also, thanks a lot for the reminder the 2006 was 20 years ago.
 
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knot2much

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Mike--
Thanks for the reply. Acid wash? Guess I'll do a search on that.
Yep, time flies when you're having fun. And even when you're not.
I can't believe it's been 20 years since I've owned a boat--happy to be back, or at least headed back.
Board seems to be treating me like a new member, but I had a lot of posts 20 years ago. Guess all of that has fallen by the wayside, somehow.
 
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Mc Tool

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Plus one for the power washer ....if nothing else they are fun to play with ....I just love what 3000psi does to dirt 😁 wife quick to point out " clean one thing and dirty 20 others " (it was the bbq ) 😆
 
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Chris1956

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Gee, purple stuff for the dirt, bleach for the mildew. They have anti-mildew stuff, as well as purple stuff for the pressure washer, if you like.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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knot2much said:
Sold my last boat in 2006 (17' Nitro, 150 HP Merc V6), been away since then.
I just today bought an old (mid/late 70s) 17' bowrider that has been sitting for "at least" four years.
Full of leaves and crap, it's going to need a lot of help. So for starters, how do I clean off the mold and crap that is all over the hull?
I'll get to the interior soon, and try to get the engine (85 HP Merc) to run, but I want to get a little cleanliness going here.
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Ayuh,....... Welcome back,..... I've had great luck washing the hull with TSP mixed in a bucket of water,.....
 
K

knot2much

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Mar 13, 2012
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6
Thank you all for the replies.
My pressure washer is not running correctly so I went another direction.
Thought about it and said to meself, "self...what do you do with mold"?
Self said, "Bleach".
Took a spray bottle, filled with bleach and started blasting away. Still took some brushing, but it came off. Three spray bottles of bleach later, then some car wash soap and go over it again, looks pretty good. White parts are white, blue parts are still a bit chalky, but better--I imagine I will need to go over all that with a buffer, but I have one.
Anyway, good progress today. Tomorrow I hope to pull the plugs, hose down the cylinders with Marvel Mystery Oil and try to drain the fuel tank/maybe clean the carbs. Then see if we have spark (fingers crossed).
It was a long day and my back is killing me (part of getting old) but it was a good day overall.
 
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knot2much

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Mar 13, 2012
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Oh, and before I buy a parts manual, anyone have the correct p/n for a water pump impeller and/or kit?
And where would you buy a parts manual--eBay?
Thanks again, Rich
 
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redneck joe

redneck joe

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yes, please provide the year - serial number is best.

Many of us keep that info in the sig line so when asig questions and you forget to include the data, or the thread goes nong and that info gets buried we still can see.

i have a manual for my motor and i think it covered up to your 85 but will need the year to see if it covers - and we just moved so it is still pack but i think i'm down to two boxes from my office so ...
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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Mercury outboard motors have the primary serial number tag on the transom bracket (often starboard/right side), a secondary auxiliary plate near the steering/swivel area, and a hidden backup stamped on a freeze plug on the engine block
 
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