Hull Cleaner

[zippy83]

Fellow Boaters,

I have head this question before and I was told to use Oxalic Acid also knows as Wood Bleach on my 16ft aluminum boat, however I am not able to find that acid anywhere. I looked at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, Menards, no one knows what I am talking about.. I searched google but all I come up with is a few youtube videos and some posts from this website.

Any idea on this one?
Thanks
Zipp

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hull Cleaner

Amazon.com: 5 Lb Oxalic Acid Rock Deck Wood Driveway Rust Cleaner Bleaching Iron: Everything Else

 

[zippy83]

Re: Hull Cleaner

Thanks. I totally forgot about amazon. Once again this is safe to use on aluminum hulls? I have seen multiple videos on how to ise it on fiberglass hulls.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hull Cleaner

I have no idea if its safe to use on aluminum. My guess would be no.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hull Cleaner

toilet bowl cleaner is oxalic acid, I think

 

[zippy83]

Re: Hull Cleaner

so I did some search and Oxalic acid is not safe or recomended to use on any aluminum... however some guys used toilet bowl cleaner "The Works" that contains some of oxalic acid and they said it works and wont eat your paint... im not sure how true that is though...

 

[efhughes3]

Re: Hull Cleaner

It's been a while since I've bought it, due to not needing it, but this used to be readily available at marine stores. Maybe it's an EPA thing now, and not readily available, as boat use would end up with it being rinsed off into the water?

Ed

 

[moosehead]

Re: Hull Cleaner

Repeat from other similar threads below. Acids tend to be tough on paint over aluminum and can also score the metal. YMMV.

MSDS review of some mildly acidic cleaners popular for hulls showed the following in ascending order of acidic strength:

Starbrite: 5-10% Oxalic Acid

Bar Keeper's Friend: 5-10% Oxalic Acid

Sno Bowl: 10-20% Hydrochloric Acid

Mary Kate On Off Hull Cleaner: 20-25% Hydrochloric + 5-10% Phosphoric, 1-5% Oxalic

 

[zippy83]

Re: Hull Cleaner

So here is what I got from a local marine shop...



BEFORE.....




AFTER.....



All I had to do is add 1/4 of water to the mix, make sure the outside temperature is between 50F - 80F and make sure not to use this product in direct sunlight. I applied it to a dry surface and let it sit for 5min and rinse it with water. That is all!!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hull Cleaner

ftp://69.2.51.153/pub/MSDS/371847_ToonBriteAluminumCleanerMSDS.pdf

Looks like just a diluted acid.