whats the best/easist hull cleaner??????

steve-o

my family just got a boat lift for our boat and i want to clean the hull.

So my question for all of you is, whats going to be the easist/ least amount of effort and enviromentalysafe?????

Oliver___ · Newbie Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 41

StarBrite hull cleaner

Jeff · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 678 City: Long Island

lysol toliet bowl cleaner, well its not environmentally safe but it can clean anything off the hull just buy spraying on and washing off

eldorett · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 96 City: Massachusetts

I don't know how environmentally friendly StarBrite is (I wouldn't clean the boat in the water with that stuff and definitely DO NOT let it touch your bare skin or any article of clothing you value in any way) but it does a great job. Same with "On and Off". Good hull cleaners and "environmentally friendly" don't exactly go together...

gborgh · Criminal Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 55 City: IA

I used a product called Zing. It worked really well, but you will have to wax your hull after you use it because it will take the wax off.

wakedude83 · Posted: Sep 29, 2004 5:46 pm Post subject:

CLR works too

riverside · Posted: Sep 29, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject:

StarBrite hull cleaner .

wear protection devices for your eyes hands and mouth.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

You are looking for muratic acid - a dilute hydrochloric acid. It will strip all all organics other than oils from your hull. You can use baking soda to buffer the solution that drips onto the driveway back to a neutral pH. After buffering, you are left with drinking water with whatever was on your hull.

Warning: The acid will release both hydrogen and chlorine. Hydrogen is explosive and chlorine is toxic. Do not smoke. Use a long handled brush and gloves and boots. Keep upwind. Reposition the boat if necessary. Rinse with water frequently.

Hydrochloric acid is the active ingredient in most hull cleaners. Buying a couple of gallons from the hardware store is just cheaper and it is the same thing.

For oil stains, use FSR (blue gel in a quart container). It is expensive, but a little goes a long way - several seasons.

For large, cheap quantities of baking soda, look at a restaruant or baking supply. A 40 lbs bag should be under $10.

The muratic acid will ruin your grass. Keep the liquid from spilling over and keep the baking soda spread around. You can see it reacting with the muratic acid.

882001 · Posted: Oct 01, 2004 6:13 am Post subject:

starbrite is oxalytic acid, or something like that.

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

You guys are over thinking this issue, or have been subjected to too much marketing.

Apple Cider Vinegar, 50/50 solution with water in a spray bottle.
Safe for you, safe for the environment, best of all a 16oz. bottle will cost you $1.59 USD

not to mention it'll take the water spots of the rest of the hull, and clean the windows too.

baggyman · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 331 City: Vegas

jryoung, you dont launch in the marina that i do... everytime i pull my boat out there is so much crap on the hull if you dont get it right away the black line seems to be part of the boat. i vinegar and water the boat in the wipedown lane but still cant get that crap off.... going to try the starbrite i think.... hope it brings back my white hull

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 9:29 pm Post subject:

toilet bowl cleaner is the best, cheapest way to go. I have used actual "hull cleaners" and I have found that toilet bowl cleaner works better than almost all of them. just don't wear clothes that you like cause you will have hundreds of little holes in them when you are finished.

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Oct 03, 2004 6:57 am Post subject:

towel bowel cleaner works the BEST

Mike_G · Newbie Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 7 City: Scottsdale

I agree with wakedude, CLR works great, spray it on, wipe it off. Couldnt be easier

Bambamski · Posted: Oct 04, 2004 7:42 am Post subject:

Vinegar only works to take some water spots off. Use the vinegar first. If you want the hull to change colours back to the original white I fourth the Toilet bowl cleaner!!! Not just the bottom but the whole outside. Be careful though, don't get it on any of the mettle on the boat. Cleats, bow light ect. You won't believe the difference. Also if you get it on the carpet of your trailer it will eat away the glue. Just hose it down really good and you won't have any worries.

Use heavy rubber gloves and a well ventilated place. Fumes are pretty stong.

jdogy · Newbie Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

After the fact, I really have been pleased with Collinite Fibreglass Cleaner. It's powerful but gentle, biodegradable, inexpensive. but you have to rewax wherever you've used it, as it takes EVERYTHING off the gelcoat.