best way to clean hull?

[floater212]

what do you guys use to clean off last years boating season water spots? I'm starting to clean my boat for this season but having a hard time getting off last years water spots. I tried; #1 tried boat wash soap... still spotty looking.... #2 hull cleaner with no results.. spots still there. #3 polishing compound with buffer... after 2 times polishing and buffing spots are lighter but still there. what do I need to get off the spotting, it looks like it's deep in the paint but I had it all off last season. Help!!

 

[OllieC]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I've used McGuires Flagship Cleaner Wax and elbow grease on tough locations - however it not a heavy as straight up compound.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I just used the hull cleaner Walmart sells. Took off all the fox river nasty water stains, then washed and waxed.

Vinegar and water works good for water spots but will pull of the wax also.

 

[Gagnon_716]

Re: best way to clean hull?

Last season i washed my boat 3 weeks after pulling it out of our lake. I tried pressure washing and scrubbing the water line off with no luck. After a little research i found a woman on youtube that mixed 1 part hydrogen peroxide to One Part Toilet Bowl Cleaner.

I swear by this method, Spray it on watch the water line disappear. I used the same formula to clean our aluminum dock ladder with the same result.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I use the Walmart stuff too. Seems to work well.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: best way to clean hull?

Paint them olive drab

 

[AChotrod]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I use the Walmart stuff too. Seems to work well.

I was still fishing until the water froze so mine sat dirty all winter and cleaned up great.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: best way to clean hull?

for water spots.... VINEGAR

 

[agallant80]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I use starbrite hull cleaner. Its amazing stuff. Im sure ill get cancer in 30 years from using it but for now it keeps the hull nice and white.

 

[floater212]

Re: best way to clean hull?

day 2... I tried some cleaner wax to the side I started on yesterday, which looked hazy this morning, still hazy after the cleaner wax. could it be the old wax is hazing up? what should I try next? the boat is a gel coat and that's why I may have to try some rubbing compound. it's shiny but hazy looking. NOT COOL!

 

[airshot]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I clean my boat frequently with simple green spray cleaner to take all the nasty off. Then I simply use a turtle wax spray on wax/polish
to shine it up. Goes on so easily I do it every month or sooner depending on how often the boat gets used. The spray stuff is not a long term wax but it easily lasts for a few outings and is so easy to put on and looks good.

 

[1979 Quartermasters]

Re: best way to clean hull?

I also use Starbrite hull cleaner. Spray on, wait five minutes, then rinse off. I believe the active ingredient is Oxalic acid. It takes the wax with it, so you'll have to re apply the wax.

Good luck....

Ken

 

[dingbat]

Re: best way to clean hull?

Cutting corners never give good long term results. You need to strip the wax, clean the fiberglass, compound if dirt and stains are imbedded, then two coats of a quality wax for use on Fiberglas unless you have clear coat on your boat.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: best way to clean hull?

As a gel coat manufacturer I should have some good answers for this frequently asked question, but there aren't any easy ones.

Different types and brands of gel coat can be more or less stain resistant than others, plus it can depend on how it was applied and the age.

We also see very different types of staining from one body of water to the next, and seasonally, the variables are too numerous get a handle on what can work in every or even most situations. We find that regional info is typically better than what can be provided by a us, and when I say regional, it can be a specific lake or river that requires a specific method or product.

What I do isn't what would be recommended, I tend to use the harshest chemicals in a high concentration followed by the most powerful pressure washer I can get. I also never wax my boats, while it does make them look better, I hate doing it, never wax my vehicles either, I think it's been 40 years since I've put wax on anything. It may be related to 20+ years of waxing very large molds every day while working in glass shops.

So what this leads to is try as many of the suggestions you get from this good group of people here and see what works best for your boat, and understand that your next boat may need a totally different cleaning method.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: best way to clean hull?

With all the boats I have and the terrible water I use them in, I've learned the easy and cheap way to do this long ago...

I use a simple muriatic acid and water mix. Either buy the gallons at Lowes, or just buy 'The Works' toilet bowl cleaner from Walmart (Lowes and HD sell it to I believe), it's all of about $1.40 a quart. Avoid muriatic acid from HD because it's 14%, designed for swimming pools. The Lowes or 'Works is 20%. HD will work, you just have to add less water..

Get a cheap $9 garden sprayer from HD- Make a mix of 3 parts water to 1 part acid. Pour it in the sprayer.

An "on" water hose with a shut-off nozzle for frequent rinsing...

Here's the fun part. Pump the sprayer, and spray on, about a 1 sq. foot area at a time. Where there's water spots (aka calcium deposits) the acid will smoke. The acid works great, but calcium will quickly neutralize the acid, like in 5 seconds. So spray, wait 5 or so seconds, and repeat until the smoke stops... RINSE WELL with the water hose, including the trailer, then move on to the next sq. foot...

It takes me about 45 minutes to clean my 26' Chap, and I typically use less than 2 quarts of 'The Works". I never use a brush, just the sprayer. Works great on the outdrive too..

FAIR WARNING, as cheap and easy always has its caveats! --DO NOT GET THIS STUFF ANYWHERE NEAR STAINLESS STEEL. It will darken it. It may affect some aluminum, but it has NO effect at all on pontoon logs, other than removing the calcium. Your trailer will be fine as long as you keep rinsing... same for your driveway. It won't hurt your lawn either. Rinse the sprayer out with water afterwards, and it'll be good for 5 or 6 uses (the trigger spring is the weak link with the acid)