*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: A smooth sea never made for a skillfull sailor...lannyard
The Blazer Bay, through neglect of my own, has turned a lovely tan color on the bottom part of the hull. I'll attribute that to the nasty brown water and mud in south Louisiana. Now that I have this thing on the trailer during the move, what products will work best to turn it white again? I'll have to miss some spots where it sits on the trailer, but somehow I'll try to manage those later. I also have a few rust stains by the deck hardware to remove. Not to mention grease and slime in the bilge. I'm going to spend some time getting her back to new because it needs it.
Any boat cleaners or maintenance experts have any advice?
I'd first start out with Star Brite's Instant Hull Cleaner, and see how it does. That would be the minimum starting point, since it is designed for such use.
There are products designed specifically for the rust and bilge cleaning that you also want to do.
Most any marine supply shop, or even your local Wal-Mart will carry them.
GO TO GROCERY STORE GET RUST AWAY, LIME AWAY, ANY PRODUCT THAT TAKES THE STAINS OUT OF DISH WASHER, MIX WITH WATER, USE SPRAY BOTTLE STAINS COME OFF NO RUBBING, INSTANTLY. DO NOT BREATH, STAY UP WIND. TAKES STAINS OFF FROM SUSKY. LOT CHEAPER THAN BOAT STORE. TINMANTOO BEL AIR MD.
Bar Keepers Friend for the rust stain can be purchased at Wal-Mart and toilette bowl cleaner will remove the Tannin stain ... don't get it on your trailer, and wax the hull after you have cleaned it...
the active product is OXALIC ACID in both the marine grade cleaner and toilette bowl cleaner!
I use muriatic acid. Get a gallon at the hardware store and dilute it heavily in a spray bottle. Works great. As stated above, don't get it on the trailer.
FSR(Fiberglass Stain Remover). It is a blue gel and you can get it a Boater's World. Just wipe it on with a sponge and hose it off, it may take a brush to get it off completly. It is not hard on your hands and trailer like On/Off. You can watch the water line disappear and will also take the rust satins off.
Try the "Works" Tub and tile cleaner, just spray it on and watch all of your nasty water stains go away!! Its used in showers and tubs so its safe on fiberglass...the only thing I would watch is spraying it on any anodized aluminum such as on a leaning post or T-Top. I fish out of Cypremort Point Eyecatcher, just a little west of you...so I deal with that nasty brown crap and the water stains all the time too........trust me "Works" tub and tile cleaner totally works and its cheaper than most Starbrite hull cleaners or anything else you can buy at West Marine........and the nice thing is all you do spray it on and watch the stains dissapear. As far as the rust stains on your hardware.....I always use "Whink" rust remover and it works great for all of my hardware on my boat!!
__________________ Grady White 305 Express
"Southern Hunter"
FSR(Fiberglass Stain Remover). It is a blue gel and you can get it a Boater's World. Just wipe it on with a sponge and hose it off, it may take a brush to get it off completly. It is not hard on your hands and trailer like On/Off. You can watch the water line disappear and will also take the rust satins off.
I'll second Davis FSR. Works great because its' like naval jelly and sticks to the hull. Muriatic acid works well too but might run off before it has time to really work.
All good advice. Any of these products will work. Its like magic how the stain will disappear. I generally used instant hull cleaner from Starbrite.
WARNING though - these products will "etch" the gelcoat and allow the stain to come back much faster. Once you use them, you may find that if the boat is in the water for only a few hours, it will be stained.
Alec if you are bringing the boat over here let me know and I can help you with it. I use luma bright for the hull and wink for the rust stains sno bowl and other cleaners like that will work too i just use luma bright b/c I use alot of it but I would not know where to get it around here. just let me know I can bring my makita over and get that hull back to new for you in no time but she is in need of a new cord. With the wind blowing like it is I will prolly be able to get a new cord on her this weekend. after having a 3 tests this week I dont imagine there will be much going on next week.
It's here now but I just dropped it off at the dealership to get some work done. I'm most likely going to bring it to Tims after that to do all the dirty work and whatever else I want to add, so I appreciate the offer. I definitely need to get that bastard shining like new. I'll keep you posted
What he said about muriatic acid. Buy it by the gallon at lowes for about $7.00. It can also be used to get rid of rail dust on cars, and to clean your wooden fence.
Alec, get the Star Brite instant hull cleaner. We used it on my dad's boat and it's basically just wipe it on or use a spray bottle to spray it on, let sit a couple minutes, and then rinse off with the hose. It may take more than one application but it works well. You need to use some sort of polish/wax afterward though to protect it. We had the same stains from the diesel at the marina,etc., and they came right off.
OK - I have the same problem. Which product do you recommend that will do as little damage to the trailer (aluminum) or how do you protect the trailer when the boat is on it? On the trailer is the only place i can easily do this unless i take a smaller boat down so I can work from the water (boatlift).
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks for the advice. I feel your pain cross, I have to do this on the trailer so I'm a bit concerned about doing any damage to it. The last thing I need in my life right now is buying a new trailer.
The dealership I'm getting the work done is supposedly going to clean up most of the boat, including the bilge and a wash/wax. We'll see how much they can get off, but after that it's all up to me. Another issue I have to deal with is a big ole gouge in the gelcoat from where I accidentally stumbled in to a slightly submerged aluminum pipe. I did my best with some cover up kit from West Marine but it still looks something terrible. Not too concerned about it, but if I'm going to clean up this vessel I may as well go all out
I'm taking mine out of the water this weekend because we're having some work done on the back deck and don't want to risk having something hit it. I hope to clean the hull and wax it.
Removing water lines and stains from hull 
