Steam Cleaning the bottom

[scottie777]

Hello All-

1st summer with a new to us 2007 SV211. It sits in the water all summer, as we use it most every day. It was very dirty on the bottom when I pulled it. I used the On & Off gel on the sides and back, which worked pretty well. I was wondering about steam cleaning the bottom on these boats (not pressure washing, but steam cleaning) - Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Scott

[DanielC]

Get some Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, (the kind with hydrochloric acid) and some hydrogen peroxide. Mix the two about 50/50. Wipe it on, wearing protective gloves, wait about 5 minutes, wipe it off, and the slime also. Avoid getting it on anything metal, including your trailer.

After treatment with the mix, go ahead and pressure wash, or steam clean the bottom.

[TxJole]

Muriatic acid diluted then a baking soda bath. Then wax the same day. If its not too bad use oxalic acid and the baking soda then wax. I tried steam and I think it just cooked the crud on the bottom. Good heavy duty hull cleaners will have oxalic acid already in them might try one of those first.

[jdmoore59]

I've had pretty good success in the past using StarBrite Hull Cleaner. Mostly a wipe on, rinse off application. I would also suggest a coat of wax after application.

[pzthk6]

Avoid Acids and Pressure Washers

Do Not, and I repeat Do Not use acids on gel coat surfaces. Even those that advertise it is OK for gel coat (such as "On-Off"). Especially when it comes to hull bottoms for boats sitting in the water for extended periods. Acids chemically react with gel coat and burn the gel. This will lead to severe blistering down the road, and then you will wish you bought a hoist.
If you can get your hands on a sample gel coated panel, put some on-off cleaner on it and just watch. Within minutes you'll see the smoke start to rise as the burning process begins.
You spent the money on a top of the line boat, the least you could do is pick up a used hoist for a couple of grand. Gel bottoms should never be left in the water for an entire season. If it is your only option, then apply bottom paint.
I've never dealt with steam cleaners, but pressure washers are almost as bad as acid cleaners. Most people don't realize gel coat is a porse coating, the microscopic porosity of older gels was larger than current gels. This was actually a good thing as moisture could traval in and out easier. Newer gels are tighter, but if moisture is forced in, it is less likely to escape, again causing blisters.