Cleaning The Hull

MJM · 09-19-2006, 09:21 AM

Hello experts....I'm looking for recommendations for cleaning the bottom of boats (in this case a Whaler), to remove the thin layer of slime & discoloration that accumulates during the Summer.

I'm hoping there's one product (I was wondering about Simple Green) that makes it very easy (e.g. brugh on / spray off) and gets great results.

Thanks!

TomC · 09-19-2006, 10:18 AM

works great, just dont get it on your skin... available at boat supply stores (west marine, etc)

billhurley · 09-19-2006, 10:26 AM

If you want something that may be a little more aggressive. Slimy Grimy works great. They sell it at Marine and Sports paraphernalia

http://www.slimygrimy.com/

Paugus Bay Resident · 09-19-2006, 11:28 AM

I've had good luck with Interlux HD Stain Remover http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp

HillBilly · 09-19-2006, 11:56 AM

Best price for basically the same cleaner, ie "oxalic acid" is Bher Deck Cleaner and Brightener from Home Depot. Comes in 1 gal can and is concentrated so mix at 4:1 ratio with water. Brush it on, wait 3-4 min, then hose off. Works great.
HB

Dave R · 09-19-2006, 01:57 PM

I suspect all the cleaners listed are just oxalic acid with some sort of thickener added. The acid is the key. It really dissolves the slime quite nicely.

cowisl · 09-20-2006, 08:00 AM

On/off is the best hands down.

MJM · 10-09-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HillBilly

Best price for basically the same cleaner, ie "oxalic acid" is Bher Deck Cleaner and Brightener from Home Depot. Comes in 1 gal can and is concentrated so mix at 4:1 ratio with water. Brush it on, wait 3-4 min, then hose off. Works great.
HB

Just a quick note of THANKS! to you all for your suggestions. We went with the Behr, and it worked GREAT! Can't believe how hard we've been scrubbing all these years....!

GTO · 10-09-2006, 09:29 AM

Just tried On/Off for the first this weekend. Works great. Brushed it on with the long handle boat brush and after 60 seconds, sprayed it off. No more scrubbing for me. Recommend wearing rubber gloves, eye protection and even a mask due to the acid (that should all be common sense though)

John A. Birdsall · 10-10-2006, 02:46 PM

I was told this was great this weekend, but recommended that you do not get it on the plastics on the boat as it has done something to the material.

I find the easiest cleaning method is to get a good sturdy sponge, a bucket of Mr. Clean, a hose and tell my wife it is now your boat.

jimbob1603 · 10-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Give the kids a bucket of water, some sponges, and can of Ajax powder. Works great; and it helps to raise the lake ph.

GTO · 10-10-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

I was told this was great this weekend, but recommended that you do not get it on the plastics on the boat as it has done something to the material.

I find the easiest cleaning method is to get a good sturdy sponge, a bucket of Mr. Clean, a hose and tell my wife it is now your boat.

Either cover your boat trailer or wash it off immediately when using On/off

ossipeeboater · 10-11-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Just tried On/Off for the first this weekend. Works great. Brushed it on with the long handle boat brush and after 60 seconds, sprayed it off. No more scrubbing for me. Recommend wearing rubber gloves, eye protection and even a mask due to the acid (that should all be common sense though)

spray it with a garden sprayer it's a lot easier.

Waterbaby · 10-11-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob1603

Give the kids a bucket of water, some sponges, and can of Ajax powder. Works great; and it helps to raise the lake ph.

How does Ajax raise the lake ph????????? (and please don't try to tell me the primary ingredient in ajax is baking soda......)

jimbob1603 · 10-12-2006, 08:24 AM

Ajax contains bleach and has a pH in the neighborhood of 12; and its phosphate free!

Misty Blue · 10-19-2006, 12:14 PM

Hilly Billy:

I used the Behr deck cleaner and it worked great on the slime and came right off with the pressure washer. To get the oily stuff off I had to use simple green. Easy job.

BTW: Jimbob, I lit off the linear compressor and it's the nutz! Rebuilt the header with 1/32 holes this time. Thanks!

Misty Blue

09-19-2006, 09:21 AM	#1
MJM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 262 Thanks: 0 Thanked 23 Times in 11 Posts	Cleaning The Hull Hello experts....I'm looking for recommendations for cleaning the bottom of boats (in this case a Whaler), to remove the thin layer of slime & discoloration that accumulates during the Summer. I'm hoping there's one product (I was wondering about Simple Green) that makes it very easy (e.g. brugh on / spray off) and gets great results. Thanks!

09-19-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 547 Thanks: 9 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	marykate on/off hull & bottom cleaner works great, just dont get it on your skin... available at boat supply stores (west marine, etc)

09-19-2006, 10:26 AM	#3
billhurley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine FL. Posts: 86 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Slimy Grimy If you want something that may be a little more aggressive. Slimy Grimy works great. They sell it at Marine and Sports paraphernalia http://www.slimygrimy.com/

10-09-2006, 09:29 AM	#9
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,072 Thanks: 336 Thanked 342 Times in 158 Posts	on/off Just tried On/Off for the first this weekend. Works great. Brushed it on with the long handle boat brush and after 60 seconds, sprayed it off. No more scrubbing for me. Recommend wearing rubber gloves, eye protection and even a mask due to the acid (that should all be common sense though) __________________ GTO

10-10-2006, 02:46 PM	#10
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	on/off I was told this was great this weekend, but recommended that you do not get it on the plastics on the boat as it has done something to the material. I find the easiest cleaning method is to get a good sturdy sponge, a bucket of Mr. Clean, a hose and tell my wife it is now your boat.

09-19-2006, 11:28 AM	#4
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 92 Times in 51 Posts	I've had good luck with Interlux HD Stain Remover http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp

09-19-2006, 11:56 AM	#5
HillBilly Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Alton Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Best price for basically the same cleaner, ie "oxalic acid" is Bher Deck Cleaner and Brightener from Home Depot. Comes in 1 gal can and is concentrated so mix at 4:1 ratio with water. Brush it on, wait 3-4 min, then hose off. Works great. HB

09-19-2006, 01:57 PM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	I suspect all the cleaners listed are just oxalic acid with some sort of thickener added. The acid is the key. It really dissolves the slime quite nicely.

09-20-2006, 08:00 AM	#7
cowisl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cow Island Posts: 167 Thanks: 6 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	On/off is the best hands down.

10-10-2006, 02:54 PM	#11
jimbob1603 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Children's sweat equity ...... Give the kids a bucket of water, some sponges, and can of Ajax powder. Works great; and it helps to raise the lake ph.

10-12-2006, 08:24 AM	#15
jimbob1603 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Better living thru chemistry! Ajax contains bleach and has a pH in the neighborhood of 12; and its phosphate free!

10-19-2006, 12:14 PM	#16
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Good advicee! Hilly Billy: I used the Behr deck cleaner and it worked great on the slime and came right off with the pressure washer. To get the oily stuff off I had to use simple green. Easy job. BTW: Jimbob, I lit off the linear compressor and it's the nutz! Rebuilt the header with 1/32 holes this time. Thanks! Misty Blue

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