Deck and hull Cleaning

Bawdrons

Bawdrons

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Boat's coming out of the water in middle of March for anti-fouling and stern gland re-packed. Other outside jobs are to spruce up dull and stained GRP deck and hull

There are a few dings and scrapes on the hull which I will repair/fill first before cleaning and polishing.

I'd be interested to know what others use to clean the hull and deck - I'm looking at Star Brite cleaners and polishes for deck and hull.

http://www.aquamail.co.uk/product-category/boat/
 
I wipe over with Oxalic acid will remove the stains, and then a wipe over with UPVC solvent (from Toolstation) will remove other grime and any chalky deposits.

Then polish with 3M
 
As said the first step is to wipe the hull and deck down with oxalic acid. After a minute or so this will give huge improvement in looks. Any greasy oily stains should be attacked with a solvent like acetone. Then repair with filler and pigment any really bad scratches or holes. You will have great difficulty getting an invisible repair. Finsish that with fine wet and dry sand paper.
Now cut and or polish if you want. The cleaning bit is easy and satisfying. The filling and repair can be quite time consuming and frustrating. Then you still have to do the bottom.
Don't be dismayed if you run out of time /energy/enthusiasm just be prepared to relaunch after adequte but not complete/fastidious maintenance. Priority is to get out on the water again. We don't all go for "Concourse de Elegance" standard. I am fortunate in that my over wintering is done at home so doing up the finish is done as and when I get the urge and usually still not very thorough. good luck olewill
 
harstonwood said:
Is this oxalcic acid safe over all the top sides? Where does one purchase it? Lots if black marks on white non slip deck I would like to clean
I have some patio magic for green around woodwork etc
Advice/abuse welcome!
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Oxalic acid based cleaners are the first choice for removing rust stains, with which it combines chemically, and brown water line stains. It has acquired something of a reputation as a "miracle cleaner", I suspect because being acidic it removes limescale type deposits along with the dirt and grime absorbed by them.

It is toxic and hazardous to handle... gloves and eye protection essential Read the material safety data sheet (msds) ( Seajet, of these forums, has experienced a very severe reaction to it)

It is the active ingredient in Y10 Hull and Fibreglass Cleaner

It can be made into a paste for vertical surfaces with wallpaper paste

It is available from woodworking suppliers, as it is used in wood colour restoration/ bleaching, and ebay sources

Use by making a near saturated solution in warm water (10-12% or there about)

It wont remove dirt and stains sealed in with polish without first removing the polish.

I have found Starbrite products good. Also Farecla products. 3m products also well known although not used them personally.
 
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harstonwood said:
Thanks VicS
Being of a nervous disposition, I may stick to cilit bang and a stiff brush!
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Scaremongering a bit perhaps ........ I can remember the days when we used to pipette a 10% solution on a routine daily basis by mouth! We'd frown on that practice now I think!

The Lime and Grime version of Cillit Bang is what you need. Probably not as good as Y10 or oxalic acid.
 
You can buy oxalic acid in powder form through ebay at about £9 per kilo. We make it up asa concentrated solution by putting about two heaped tablespoons full into a bottle and adding a litre of water. That is then spread onto stained decks or hull either by a paint brush (small areas) or by using a rag for larger areas. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection and rinse off any spills on exposed skin immediately with lots (no, I mean lots) of water.
The acid works well and we've never bothered to thicken it with wallpaper paste as others on here have recommended. If I recall the story related by sealent, he had either not worn gloves or had allowed the acid to run over the gloves onto his upper arms, thus causing the problem: he added to the problem by not rinsing the spill on his skin until it started to irritate him. Rinse off with lots of water before moving on to use polish if that's required.
We find we use a two litre pop bottle of the stuff through a season, so the kilo or so we bought three years ago still hasn't had much of a dent made in it.
 
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cmedsailor said:
http://www.mattchemmarineusa.com/antirustrustremoverforgelcoatandpaint-p-71.html

IS anybody aware of this anti-rust product from Mattchem? I use it to clean the "dirt" above the water line and it's quite effective. Basically just apply on the hull (spray or usually I apply it with a piece of cloth), leave for some minutes and the dirt dissapears. OK, obviously I wax the hull afterwards.
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I suspect that is plain old oxalic acid solution in a bottle..... nothing more.

Oxalic acid reacts with the ferrous oxide (rust) and dissolves it. It's that simple..... it will not remove other stains particularly well, if at all. Even so, it is a brilliant first stage cleaner for GRP and stainless. It's not too hot on lime scale, Mr Muscle LIME and Grime will shift that though quite easily. The normal kitchen and bathroom Mr Muscle won't touch it, it has to be the lime and grime one.
 
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