Hull Cleaner Safe for Lower Unit?

[ChillyB]

Guys,

Is that nasty hull cleaning solution safe for a lower unit that is missing most of the paint? This boat was kept on the water (fresh water) all summer most summers so the lower unit has a lot of corrosion. A lot of the paint is missing. I'd like to clean it up and repaint. Is hull cleaner solution, which I think it an acid, safe for cast aluminum? Motor is a 1985 Johnson 25 if that matters.

Thanks,
Byron

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Hull Cleaner Safe for Lower Unit?

You're right about this acid in hull cleaners. Just like the directions say, wash off your metal trailer immediately when cleaning the hull of your boat.

I wouldn't recommend using it on your lower unit. It will cause even more corrosion, when the corrosion is what you want to remove. Use an abrasive like sand paper, then a good aluminum primer before re-painting. While you're at it, check the anodes on your motor. There may be on the bottom of your motor mount as well as one on the bottom of your ventilation plate. Seems to me fresh water would not allow corrosion as badly as in salt water, but lack of anodes could be your culprit.