Dirty White Bottom

**crimson merc** · 03-31-2010, 08:15 AM

Whats the best way to get the river gunk off the bottom of a boat. Doesnt look like the bottom of the boat was ever rised or washed off and is now a nasty looking brown. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

**baja200merk** · 03-31-2010, 09:19 AM

muratic acid. Wipe it on and the brown will dissapear. I have done it many times on gel and paint doesnt hurt it. Keep the acid off the metal on the trailer.

**cutwater** · 03-31-2010, 09:25 AM

You can also try FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover). It's a blue gel, wipe it on, hose it off. It takes out yellowing from salt water, rust stains, etc. Probably not as strong as muriatic, but doesn't burn your hands either

**baja200merk** · 03-31-2010, 09:32 AM

on/off works too but its just over priced muratic acid. Nothings cheaper then a gallon of muratic and that gallon will last years.

**cutwater** · 03-31-2010, 09:39 AM

I forgot about on/off - doesn't that disolve barnicles too? Last time I used muriatic was to remove concrete residue from a piece of heavy equipment and the stuff was potent - the slightest drop burned your skin - wore heavy rubber gloves. I don't remember, is it available in different strengths? Maybe I was using something more concentrated...

**bullwhipjkg** · 03-31-2010, 10:30 AM

walmart look in boat section hull cleaner worked charms on the ally no more yellow but once you use it you gotta do it again later in year

**coslanzetta** · 03-31-2010, 08:19 PM

rust -aid works great too...

**D.B.S** · 03-31-2010, 08:49 PM

West Marine has a product that works great and has no acid, can't remember the name, I use it on my boat.

**baja200merk** · 03-31-2010, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by cutwater

I forgot about on/off - doesn't that disolve barnicles too? Last time I used muriatic was to remove concrete residue from a piece of heavy equipment and the stuff was potent - the slightest drop burned your skin - wore heavy rubber gloves. I don't remember, is it available in different strengths? Maybe I was using something more concentrated...

I have no clue if it comes in different strengths. I get it from home depot works great for pulling aluminum off steel sleeves too

Kevin

**RobF** · 04-01-2010, 07:44 AM

we apply the acid with a roller, you will use less, get better coverage, and more importantly not have airborne acid that you could get a burn from.
I have a acid burn on my face from that crap its nasty.

to prevent it- nothing I have come across will prevent it.
We tried waxing, we did half a transom and not the other half and it looked no different later on.

**crimson merc** · 04-01-2010, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by bullwhipjkg

walmart look in boat section hull cleaner worked charms on the ally no more yellow but once you use it you gotta do it again later in year

I also would recommend this stuff, I used it on the bottom of a mirage before it looked good afterwards.....

I guess Ima go with the muratic acid this time though.

**Dargo** · 04-01-2010, 08:10 AM

Back in my college days working at a Marina, I got stuck acid washing ALOT of boats. That stuff is very nasty! We used to put it in an agricultural peticide type sprayer and apply it that way, then power wash the stuff off. Works great. I remember one time looking for a bucket in the shop to wash a boat with. I found one with about 2 cups of liquid in the bottom, bent down to give it a sniff and find out what it was. Yep, the acid left over from someone mixing up a new batch. Just about dropped me right there. Like breathing fire. We ended up going to something "eco-friendly, non-toxic, blah, blah" the next year but didn't work nearly as well.