Cleaning the Hull

[SeaDooSam]

So, after 2 seasons of sitting in the water I forgive I would give the hull some help. I compounded the entire thing and then waxed. But, after 4 hours of laying down and being under a trailer I thought to myself there must be a better way to do this. Is going under the trailer the best way?

 

[roffey]

Hey Sam. I use an acid based cleaner and spray it on then use a wash brush followed by soap and water. My hull comes out like new (keep in mind the boat is a 2014 so it is close to new). The acid I use is an aluminum wash and I get it from the local auto parts store. This stuff is very strong and I only do a couple of feet at a time.

I was told toilet bowl cleaner will work as well.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I use The Works toilet bowl cleaner. It does a great job. It won't remove dullness from oxidization, but it removes crud, stains, etc. Just be sure to rinse the boat and trailer really well after using.

 

[BRICH1260]

Are you wanting to clean it or polish and wax it?

 

[harleyman1975]

Oxacylic acid works great for removing scum. spray it on and then hit with a pressure washer.

 

[ezmobee]

Star Brite hull cleaner was a miracle on my boat.

 

[roffey]

I use The Works toilet bowl cleaner. It does a great job. It won't remove dullness from oxidization, but it removes crud, stains, etc. Just be sure to rinse the boat and trailer really well after using.

you mean make sure you flush.

 

[JASinIL2006]

you mean make sure you flush.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[SeaDooSam]

Are you wanting to clean it or polish and wax it?

Well I was cleaning it and then polishing and waxing it

 

[poconojoe]

Star Brite hull cleaner was a miracle on my boat.

+1 on Starbrite hull cleaner. That stuff is amazing. Took off all those stubborn stains that the pressure washer couldn't even touch. It's also marketed as Attwood hull cleaner...same stuff.

 

[SeaDooSam]

+1 on Starbrite hull cleaner. That stuff is amazing. Took off all those stubborn stains that the pressure washer couldn't even touch. It's also marketed as Attwood hull cleaner...same stuff.

I had tried that but then I compounded and waxed.
It is just really awkward squeezing under the trailer for hours.

 

[poconojoe]

I had tried that but then I compounded and waxed.
It is just really awkward squeezing under the trailer for hours.

Maybe you can skip the compound step by using the hull cleaner first. It worked on my 13 year young boat. Then I waxed it. I had to lay under there to wax it, but at least I wasn't under there compounding it too.
I had brown stains that wouldn't come out, seemed to be imbedded in the gel coat, but upon using the hull cleaner, it all came off. The boat had been in the lake for 5 months. The heavy junk came off with the pressure washer. I couldn't believe all the junk stuck to it from "fresh" water! I can't imagine what salt water would do.

 

[SeaDooSam]

I couldn't believe all the junk stuck to it from "fresh" water! I can't imagine what salt water would do.

I know right! So much junk from 2 years. It felt like touching old parchment paper-that rough with dirt and grime

 

[superbenk]

I tried concentrated toilet bowl cleaner from the hardware store this year (Zap!, I think). While it did work well it wasn't nearly as nice as the Starbright stuff. Starbright On-Off was amazing stuff but POTENT! Make sure you're well covered if you use it or you will get burned. Also make sure the area is very well ventilated or wear a gas mask. Protect bare metal trailers & other bright work or it'll get etched. Great stuff for sure!

 

[SeaDooSam]

Yeah hull on off worked great but I couldn't get at the very bottom with that

 

[Old Ironmaker]

My aluminum StarCraft gets really gungy sitting in a low flow creek feeding Lake Erie. Gung and Zebra Mussels. I have tried everything including Star Brite that works well but can get expensive here in Canada, I don't know what it costs in the US.

My home brew go to cleaner that works well with the least amount of elbow grease is 1 part Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner with 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide. Get as much off with a power washer then while wet use a chemical sprayer (I found a smaller 1/2 gallon sprayer that is very light full) then spray on a 2 foot square area only. It will foam a bit give a scrub with a good quality deck brush and then rinse off immediately. It has worked without a power washer for me. I was given the tip by an employee at a rather large local Marine that sells Star Brite as well as Capt. Phab.

 

[BRICH1260]

Not much use in waxing the bottom of a boat as it will be washed away on the first trip out. Waxing on the sides down to the waterline can help.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Not much use in waxing the bottom of a boat as it will be washed away on the first trip out. Waxing on the sides down to the waterline can help.

Well I only waxed it to protect the gel coat. It will be on a trailer all winter so I want to protect it after I cleaned it with acids and compounds.