Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

[summerwind1991]

Is it OK to use acid on a Merc 1997 stern drive?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

Why Summerwind,..??..??.....

Is it an Algae Buildup,..... Or a Mineral Buildup,..??..

A Trip to a Truckwash will Work Wonders..........Just Don't Spray the Seals too hard.......

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

I have used toilet bowl cleaner and On-Off which are both acids and work great.You cant leave them on for more than a minute or two and must be rinsed thoroughly.Most cases a good power wash will do fine w/o any acid.Charlie

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

personally i'd never do it. i've seen what it will do to concrete, and the bed of the pool mans truck. what bed?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

I just buy any boat wash with acid in it.(about 10.00$ a bottle). Follow the directions and no problems. Usually spray it on. (Wear gloves and long sleeved shirt and long paints. Don't breath the vapors, it'll cut your breath away.) Wait 5 to 10 minutes and wash off with a hose. If you have a power washer, you can use it too, but it isn't really necessary.

 

[flashback]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

acid and metal is not a good mix IMHO... acid eats metal so any acid that gets into the seals will cause a premature failure... just my 2 cents

 

[stevieray]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

I agree with flashback - acid is ok on fiberglass but you will never get it rinsed off of metal well enough to avoid at least some damage - especially the aluminum in an outdrive.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

Contrary to the other opinions I've used Muriatic acid on my boat hull and OMC's for the last 10 years with no problems. After spraying it on and letting it set for a couple of minutes I use a power washer to spray off. If you have a galvanized trailer it will eat the galvanizing right off though!

 

[stevieray]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

Contrary to the other opinions I've used Muriatic acid on my boat hull and OMC's for the last 10 years with no problems. After spraying it on and letting it set for a couple of minutes I use a power washer to spray off. If you have a galvanized trailer it will eat the galvanizing right off though!

Bob - going just by the age of his drive, I would think there's at least some paint missing (for any number of reasons). Get any acid on bare aluminum & it is as good as gone - like the galvanizing on the trailer.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Cleaning and risning the Stern drive..Muriatic acid OK?

It all depends on how long you leave it on and in what concentration of the type of acid you are using. Vinegar is acidic and yet will not destroy any aluminum hulled boat. It's all relative to time and concentration of the product used. As soon as water is applied to wash it off, the acid diappears.