I moor a boat in the Hunter River NSW and the river wash makes the hull incredibly dirty and hard to clean off. I have used a lot of different products on the market with varying success. However I came across a you tube video using acid wash product (basic diluting some acid with water rubbing into the affect area and washing off with clean water), has anyone had a go using an acid based product?
I guess your talking about Oxalic acid sold by the bunnings as diggers rust and stain cleaner. Its a mild acid and commonly used to wash down boats before polishing .
When I was moored in a canal with bad boat wash I would use when build up would not brush off . I would put some in bucket, add water ,with soft broom brush over area and after couple of minutes brush / hose off with fresh water . Be aware it takes off your polish . If not using broom wear gloves
I use Metal Gleam for this and cleaning lime from engines. It's mostly phosphoric acid and is good on stainless, fibreglass and painted surfaces. Works the same as oxalic acid but is much cheaper. Mix 5;1 with water. It will etch aluminium. Widely used in the fishing industry.
shop.nowchem.com.au/shop/heavy-duty/metal-gleam/
Yep I use both flavours depending on what needs to be cleaned. Home brew supplies have economic cleaners
Diggers stain & rust remover
www.bunnings.com.au/diggers-2kg-rust-and-stain-cleaner_p0960276
$32.75 for 2kg of concentrate that will last you years. we have been using it for ages...just spray on...no rubbing etc. simply one of the best products i've found
cannot recommend too highly
cheers,
I have recent sold my Careel 18 brought a Top Hat 25, also moored in the Hunter River and used the product recommended above "Diggers stain & rust remover". I have spent past 2 weekends cleaning great product makes life a lot easier. Thanks for the advice.
Select to expand quotePacificStar said..
Diggers stain & rust remover
www.bunnings.com.au/diggers-2kg-rust-and-stain-cleaner_p0960276
$32.75 for 2kg of concentrate that will last you years. we have been using it for ages...just spray on...no rubbing etc. simply one of the best products i've found
cannot recommend too highly
cheers,
Hi, a quick question to those that use this, does it damage the gelcoat at all when diluted at the advertised rate?
Select to expand quoteUncleBob said..
Hi, a quick question to those that use this, does it damage the gelcoat at all when diluted at the advertised rate?
No. I use it too but prefer Metal gleam because it's half the price. Metal Gleam is available in 20 litre containers as well.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
No. I use it too but prefer Metal gleam because it's half the price. Metal Gleam is available in 20 litre containers as well.
I looked at getting some Metal Gleam but the postage put me off!!
Select to expand quoteLazzz said..Ramona said..
No. I use it too but prefer Metal gleam because it's half the price. Metal Gleam is available in 20 litre containers as well.
I looked at getting some Metal Gleam but the postage put me off!!
Lazz, check out the home brew shops, I bet there's some round your way, food grade phosphoric acid for cleaning kegs etc, cheap as chips, add a little washing up detergent to help spread it & give some bubbles as it's almost ph neutral, while you are there get some tri sodium phosphate ( tsp) aka pink bottle wash, it's on the other end of the ph scale ie alkaline, it gets glass, plastic, stainless , porcelain squeaky clean. And before you go grab some sodium per carbonate, it's the active in nappysan good for holding tank odours, and whitening sails & ropes if you have a big enough vat to soak em also good to put in the wash to brighten up your sailing uniform 
ps: you might even look at home brewing while your there
Select to expand quotewoko said..Lazzz said..
I looked at getting some Metal Gleam but the postage put me off!!
Lazz, check out the home brew shops, I bet there's some round your way, food grade phosphoric acid for cleaning kegs etc, cheap as chips, add a little washing up detergent to help spread it & give some bubbles as it's almost ph neutral, while you are there get some tri sodium phosphate ( tsp) aka pink bottle wash, it's on the other end of the ph scale ie alkaline, it gets glass, plastic, stainless , porcelain squeaky clean. And before you go grab some sodium per carbonate, it's the active in nappysan good for holding tank odours, and whitening sails & ropes if you have a big enough vat to soak em also good to put in the wash to brighten up your sailing uniform
ps: you might even look at home brewing while your there
Thanks Woko - I'll be off shopping tomorrow!! 
