boat cleaning

Post by **rocket** » August 11th, 2003, 11:01 pm

Anybody got a surefire product they use to clean their boat? I have used a variety of cleaners from toilet bowl cleaner to all different kinds of soaps. However nothing seems to beat good old elbow grease when it comes to fiberglass. There has to be a good product you can use that doesn't require so much scrubbing.

Post by **Tom Keels** » August 12th, 2003, 7:00 am

On/Off. 11.99 at west marine and a little goes a long way. Try cleaning with bleach and water, then take this stuff and hit the hard spots. It will be so white it will hurt your eyes. Just be careful not to get it on the trailer unless you dilute it.

Post by **Sir reel** » August 12th, 2003, 8:49 am

What's the deal with the trailer?? The stuff isn't corrosive is it?

I'll probably get burned to a crisp but I really like plain ole original pine sol with about a third of a cup of bleach to a five gallon bucket.

Post by **rocket** » August 12th, 2003, 4:20 pm

Thanks Tom. Sno-Bowl works really well. You can find it just about any grocery store, but it does'nt get the tough stuff unless you scrub really hard. I'll definately try On/Off.

Post by **Tom Keels** » August 12th, 2003, 4:30 pm

It is an acid and it will disolve a galvanized trailer. It will burn your hands as well. Not a burn, but a gentle warming.

I dilute about 3 oz in about a gallon of water for washing the entire boat and it works great and gives you more time to get it washed off. But have the hose ready to rinse it off.

Post by **Fish Masterson** » August 12th, 2003, 9:53 pm

Seems to me that once you got her all shined up, you could give her a good waxin, at least everywhere 'cept the deck, and she would clean up easier in the future.
Fish Masterson

dowawoo · Post by **dowawoo** » August 13th, 2003, 7:39 am

Has anyone tried muraic acid

Post by **rocket** » August 13th, 2003, 5:09 pm

dowawoo

You try acid on your boat first, and let me know the results. I'd be to scared to try it.

dowawoo · Post by **dowawoo** » August 13th, 2003, 8:57 pm

Have been using in for some time, diluted though, recommended for cleaning rust spots and blood from fiberglass, if not sure don't use it...just asked a question..
Check the internet. lots of cleaners that are much safer than acids

dowawoo · Post by **dowawoo** » August 13th, 2003, 10:18 pm

Most of the cleaners used in boating are a form of acid....Muriatic works best when mix with a soap, dawn or something....however....most cleaners to include bleach and Sno-bowl are corrosive, got metal fuel tank, caution, wiring exposed caution....
just be aware

Post by **rocket** » August 14th, 2003, 10:30 pm

dowawoo,
Thanks for the info. I'll stop using Sno-bowl. Don't want to harm anything. I just figured acid would ruin the fiberglass, but I guess if you dillute it enough it won't hurt it.

Post by **rocket** » August 18th, 2003, 4:35 pm

Tom,
On/OFf is some good stuff!!!!!!!!

I was scrubbing my boat with it on Saturday when my Mother in law pulled in the driveway. She got out and said it was blinding her. I had not noticed with my sunglasses on, so I removed them and man was it white!!
Thanks for the tip, I'll be sure and keep a bottle on hand.

Post by **Sir reel** » August 18th, 2003, 5:01 pm

I thought I was going to be able to leave this thread alone but just have to add a precaution to what's been offered. I know from time to time I have a tendency to experiment with cleaning products like a soap or detergent and mix some bleach with it, etc. Please!! if you ever use Muriatic acid (traditional name for hydrochloric acid which is also commonly used to adjust the PH in swimming pool water) for cleaning anything.... NEVER, NEVER add bleach or chlorine of any type, (especially liquid) directly into the solution. Mixing the two together will produce an explosion! I can personnally testify to the fact. Muriatic is a very good cleaner for concrete products but it is harsh on metals. I am not a chemist and the results of mixing the two may depend on the amount of dilution that has taken place, but at some point it will react violently. Having worked in the swimming pool industry in Central Fla. for several years I know of at least a couple of cases where folks stored the two close together and as a result of accidental spills they no longer have a garage!

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » August 19th, 2003, 6:32 am

Guess I better move my Muriatic acid away from the tablets and liquid clorine.

Post by **Sir reel** » August 19th, 2003, 8:53 am

absolutely DS!!

If you haven't done it already, do it TODAY!

One of those instances I referred to in Central Fla happened because someone was in the habit of sitting a bottle of Muriatic acid on top of a drum of dry chlorine and over a period of time small amounts of spilled acid on the outside of the bottle had eaten through the lid and one day, BOOM! Resulting explosion and fire eliminated any problem with having to clean out the garage! In my case (stupid stupid) I mixed the two in an open bucket out side. I was in the process of cleaning my aluminum siding. I had a diluted solution (but not very). As soon as I poured in the second liquid, the solution started bubbling and foaming rather violently. I was able to turn and take about 3 running steps away and it blew up. Splattered all over the side of the house, left giant spots that were definitely clean! Took off some of the galvanization off the bucket.

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boat cleaning

boat cleaning

boat cleaning

Muriatic Acid

Muriatic Acid