Hull/water spot cleaning - need help

MissJade · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 486 City: Austin, TX

Unfortunately, I have to keep my boat on the water because my slip doesn't have a lift. It's been in there for about three weeks and we just pulled it out and brought it to the shop for some other repairs. I was going to have them clean it for me also. Well, the service department told me that it would cost $225 to clean the exterior! Tell me if I'm wrong, but this seems a bit excessive. I thought about just getting some hull cleaner and doing it myself. I mean, it's pretty dirty, but I just can't afford that. Any ideas or suggestions??

BIGMAC · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 11:06 am Post subject:

$225

ohsix · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 11:22 am Post subject:

For water spots a vinegar/water mix does pretty well. I usually mix it around 1:16 or so. I dont think it will hurt anything to mix it too strong but 1:16 is strong enough.

Leggester · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 11:35 am Post subject:

Yep, it's about right. You're talking about someone being paid to spend a few hours cleaning the hull. Wait until you get an estimate for detailing the interior. Smile

It's not a difficult job, McGuires (sp) and many other companies make cleaning/polishing solutions that work very well. I don't care for the vinegar smell myself.

Ruune · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 11:45 am Post subject:

MJ... try taking it to a do it yourself carwash- one with a pressure washer. Then, use vinegar and water to get the rest of the stuff off, and if that doesnt work, use diluted toilet bowl cleaner... which can be pretty abrasive, so use caution. Top it off w/ a fresh coat of wax and you're good to go!

you can also rent a gas-powered powerwasher, but dont go over 1500 psi.

MissJade · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 486 City: Austin, TX

awesome! Thanks guys, I'll try those suggestions. I have some ducky, but I think it might not be strong enough. I won't wait this long again between cleanings Shocked

Jeffro · Addict Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 659 City: Austin, Texas

ducky is for water spots mostly. you'll need a hull cleaner in addition to ducky.

i would trailer it to a car wash and use the power spray to knock off all the "loose" scum using the high pressure soap. Then go back with a sponge/towel and clean off the rest of the scum with the hull cleaner. Lastly go back with the ducky.

after that and a coat of wax, you should have a new hull again.

oh, and yah, prepare to spend a few hours or more on it....let me know if you want some help or need a trailer pull.

.

Ruune · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 12:28 pm Post subject:

yeah jeffro's got it down.

Ducky is best when you use it consistently though... I use it on my 'doo regularly.

Jeffro · Addict Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 659 City: Austin, Texas

Ruune · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 12:41 pm Post subject:

yeah dude... I've seen your pictures... suhweet!

tommyadrian5 · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 907

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=72464

nasty stuff, wear gloves, but it will make your hull as white as my ass

and i got a really white ass

MissJade · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 486 City: Austin, TX

Jeffro, Thank you! You are awesome, be careful what you say because I'll take you up on it! I'm going to try to pull it out every week from now on. Got some hull cleaner at Boater's World. I keep looking to see if any on of the guys looks kinda like you, but no luck. I'm always in there, finally joined the Captain's Club today Smile

Anyway, Thanks guys for y'alls help. I'm going to clean it tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes... Shocked

Jeffro · Addict Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 659 City: Austin, Texas

hehe, my lil bro doens't look anything like me! call the cell next time you go in, and i'll see if he's workin. should be good for a discount!

and, i wouldn't offer if i didn't know it might be comin! Wink

Ruune · Posted: Nov 12, 2003 8:51 pm Post subject:

hey missjade... make sure you take some before and after pics!!

NAW · Posted: Nov 13, 2003 9:53 am Post subject:

MissJade, Just interested in knowing what 'other' repairs had to be done to your new baby. Shocked

riverside · Posted: Nov 13, 2003 2:39 pm Post subject:

Starbright bottom cleaner.

wakedude47 · Outlaw Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 159 City: discovery bay

go to west marine and ask for a product called on and off it is very strong it will take all the junk off your boat. I dad to keep my boat in the delta for a month when I took it out of the water it had so much junk on thr bottom I took the boat to a car wash it didnt take hardley anything off. A guy told me about this stuff so I tried it I just sprayed it on and wated 5 min. and washed it right off every thing I mean everything came off no harm to the gelcote or the trailer. I used it on a 2003 sanger this stuff works GREAT

scott

MissJade · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 486 City: Austin, TX

wakedude47, Thanks for your suggestion. I'll definitely take some pics. I hate seeing my baby in this condition, breaks my heart Crying or Very sad

NAW, just had to get some stuff dialed in, get the Perfect Pass installed, and I blew out some speakers at Waketoberfest Confused