Brick cleaner on my props

paultallett

paultallett

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www.caymanreef.co.uk
Thought I'd give this a try on Sunday after all the recommendations on here.

Went to Wickes and picked up 5lts of their cheapest type (£2.99). Got home wizzed it over the props and omg..... Talk about does the job!!

My ss bravo props are like new now. Sorry I've got no before and after pictures, I hadn't anticipated the difference it would bring up, but easily can say its the best 2.99 I think I've ever spent on boat cleaning stuff.
 
thanks Paul, I've got to do the same to my props when out the water as they're riddled with tube worm. do you know if the cleaner is safe to use on ally props? The same question stands for the drive, can it be applied there to get rid of the barnacles and worms?
 
it will clean the ally props but it will also attack the surface of any bare ally to a certain extent you could try a small area & keep a close eye on it & just be ready to rinse it off quickly if it looks too agressive

it also doesnt like some paints

it is quite easy to neutralise with water just ensure you have a hose handy to wash it off once its done its magic on the crud just remember it is a mild acid & needs treating with respect
 
Morning Gary,

Doesn't say on the side of the tub so if I'm honest, I don't have a clue!! Ken looks to know more about it than us, so his advice of try a little and see what happens looks good to me!!


oGaryo said:
thanks Paul, I've got to do the same to my props when out the water as they're riddled with tube worm. do you know if the cleaner is safe to use on ally props? The same question stands for the drive, can it be applied there to get rid of the barnacles and worms?
Click to expand...
 
In regards to "wizzing it over the props" ;) , do you simply brush it on with a paint brush? The bronze prop on my speed boat nor the props on my fathers boat aren't fouled rather they are just not shiny. Does this method return the props to "like new"?
 
Whopper said:
In regards to "wizzing it over the props" ;) , do you simply brush it on with a paint brush? The bronze prop on my speed boat nor the props on my fathers boat aren't fouled rather they are just not shiny. Does this method return the props to "like new"?
Click to expand...

I used a watering can to cover the props then kept them wet with a paint brush. A little rub with a stiff brush, another wetting and bobs your aunty.
 
Be careful with the cleaner, most of the brick cleaners used to be diluted hydrochloric acid and used to burn like hell and melt everything depending on brand. There is one that springs to mind, "Geocel Ecochem brick and mortar cleaner" that is hydrochloric free and can be used on some metals. You can get it in the large B&Q stores that have "Trade-point". No connection, just used it and their "Algae and moss remover" but not on a boat.

**No idea if the Wickes one is Hydrochloric free**
 
MrB said:
Be careful with the cleaner, most of the brick cleaners used to be diluted hydrochloric acid and used to burn like hell and melt everything depending on brand. There is one that springs to mind, "Geocel Ecochem brick and mortar cleaner" that is hydrochloric free and can be used on some metals. You can get it in the large B&Q stores that have "Trade-point". No connection, just used it and their "Algae and moss remover" but not on a boat.

**No idea if the Wickes one is Hydrochloric free**
Click to expand...

B&Q are good in as much that they make all the Safety data sheets available on their website. Those tell you what the products contain. Some contain hydrochloric acid others do not. The Geocel EcoChem one is citric acid but it also contains aluminium chloride which hydrolyses in solution releasing hydrochloric acid
Personally I'd opt for an HCl based one. Its corrosive and will burn the skin but its likely to be the fastest acting. It will not "melt" everything.

Gloves, goggles wellies and a handy supply of water are essential when using these chemicals.

Wicks' own brand is apparently made by Bostik and is HCl based
 
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Wickes one states its 5% HCL........

VicS said:
B&Q are good in as much that they make all the Safety data sheets available on their website. Those tell you what the products contain. Some contain hydrochloric acid others do not. The Geocel EcoChem one is citric acid but it also contains aluminium chloride which hydrolyses in solution releasing hydrochloric acid
Personally I'd opt for an HCl based one. Its corrosive and will burn the skin but its likely to be the fastest acting. It will not "melt" everything.

Gloves, goggles wellies and a handy supply of water are essential when using these chemicals.

Wicks' own brand is apparently made by Bostik and is HCl based
Click to expand...
 
paultallett said:
Thought I'd give this a try on Sunday after all the recommendations on here.

Went to Wickes and picked up 5lts of their cheapest type (£2.99). Got home wizzed it over the props and omg..... Talk about does the job!!

My ss bravo props are like new now. Sorry I've got no before and after pictures, I hadn't anticipated the difference it would bring up, but easily can say its the best 2.99 I think I've ever spent on boat cleaning stuff.
Click to expand...

Doing mine at the weekend so off to wickes,

What did you polish them with afterwards?
 
Jurgen said:
Thought you needed to polish to retain the shine & stop the grunge sticking?
Click to expand...

In the 6 years we've had the boat I've never polished the props. Usually clean them by abbrading the limescale off then when she's in the water, every few weeks lift the drive and wipe the props with a pad..... Never been an issue. I might try firefly's tip this year though and have a go at the clear anti foul spray on them.
 
It works a treat, I use it on Bronze props , Put it on let it do its work say 40 mins or an hour then |I liberally hose it off to remove brick cleaner or it stains the props green.

Does anyone know if it causes long term damage to bronze or if you soak bronze props in brick cleaner it will do long term damage?

Eg will it remove zinc from the alloy ?

Perhaps VicS knows this one.
 
paultallett said:
Thought I'd give this a try on Sunday after all the recommendations on here.

Went to Wickes and picked up 5lts of their cheapest type (£2.99). Got home wizzed it over the props and omg..... Talk about does the job!!

My ss bravo props are like new now. Sorry I've got no before and after pictures, I hadn't anticipated the difference it would bring up, but easily can say its the best 2.99 I think I've ever spent on boat cleaning stuff.
Click to expand...

Went into my local Wickes today, £12.99 for 5 litres!:mad:
 
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