Cleaning bottom gelcoat for winterization

[garywilkinson]

I have a 95 Nautique in immaculate condition, previous owner never had it in the water for more than 24 hours.

This summer, I had the boat in our (very) clean lake for the season and wiped her down below water line every weekend. Still the silt in the lake produced a brown tinge that is a pain to see and clean off.

Power washing gets off surface grime but obviously doesn't get to the porous depths of the gel coat. I waxed 3 times in the spring with a highly regarded wax to no avail.

Now the problem is getting the brown waterline off the bottom surface.

Detergents don't seem to do it completely and I'm worried about Muriatic acid for obvious reasons.

Anyone have a magic potion or procedure that works well on gel coat???

(I'm actually debating having the waterline down surface painted with black Imron!)

Any magic out there???

[Kozmo]

Did you try slimy grimy?

http://www.slimygrimy.com/

[garywilkinson]

S G

haven't but will, gotta admit I'm skeptical though...

any others?

[Red57Bird]

Gary - there are several posts on the forum with a couple of solutions. The one I have seen the most is a 50-50 solution of blue toilet bowl cleaner (gel type) and hydrogen peroxide. Sounds crazy, but a lot of people swear by it. After I get my boat back from the marina, I'll be doing a thorough cleaning, including using the cleaning solution on the hull. Do a search on "peroxide" to find the different posts - good luck.

[MHayes]

Just use the Lysol Power toilet bowl cleaner (in gel form). Put some on a sponge, wipe onto the hull and leave for a few minutes. You will be amazed at the difference and then find yourself needing to do the entire boat because it's so clean. Be sure and wax afterwards because it will take everything off. It ok on decals too, just don't leave it on too long and rinse thoroughly afterwards.

[882001]

starbrite hull cleaner will clean that right up. no wiping at all.

[garywilkinson]

trying

tried the search with no luck but will try the potion youve outlined.

Thanks RB!

Gary

[Kozmo]

check out this related post on Correctcraftfan for some other ideas.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum...=8644&PN=1

[CHassmann]

I hope you are just joking about the black imron paint. A dilute solution of muriatic acid should take care of that. Always pour acid into water, not water into acid.

[garywilkinson]

how I'm proceeding..

Redbird, can you recommend any specific brand of t-bowl cleaner? a few of them come with warnings about mixing with other chemicals etc,. (clorox dual action for example) I'm trying your potion this morning and would like to know what you used.

If that don't work, I'm going to try Ring-go or Zing if I can find them at a retailer.

But 1st is Hyd peroxide potion.
( and yes, the Imron painting is still an option)

Great thread, I'll letcha know what works best!

Also, anyone know if there's a decent (safe) and not too expensive lift for our Nautiques to be able to clean the whole underside ? something that'll lift from the lifting rings on bow and stern.

[DanielC]

Lysol brand toilet bowl cleaner. Look at the active ingredients on the label, look for Hydrochloric acid. Mix it about half with Hydrogen peroxide. Do not get it on, or in any part of your body. Keep it off metal. A long handle nylon brush will come in really handy.
I recommend you take cleaning solution to the boat ramp. Do not let the scum, or stain dry, if that is possible.
I try to clean off what I can while the boat is still in the water. Put the boat on the trailer, use the solution to clean the bottom. and relaunch the boat. Drive the boat for a little while, that will rinse the boat completely. Pull the trailer in and out of the water a few times, that will rinse the trailer.

[DanielC]

I would not go under a boat held by the only the lifting rings. If you have a way to lift the boat off the trailer, and you the the trailer out from under the boat, put blocks under the boat, and lower the boat unto the blocks. With the hoist still hooked up, shake the boat to make sure the boat is secure on the blocks. Have the hoist supporting the boat, also. Two completely separate ways of holding the boat up. And then still be respectful of going under the boat.

[Red57Bird]

Gary - as DanielC says, Lysol is what most recommend.

[SquamInboards]

We wash about 350 boats every year with slimy grimy, works great. Mix it up, scrub it on with a soft brush, powerwash off - and don't get the spray in your eyes! I bet toilet bowl cleaner would work well, too... or a product called "on-off" same idea, very toxic, very effective.

[mf01]

Star brite hull cleaner. I used it this weekend and it worked awesome.