ok well it's that time of year again for us Mac-mooring folk; when we get to see what's below the waterline after 6.5 months in the briny.
Whilst googling in preparation for this annual festival I came across the suggestion that toilet cleaner was good for hull cleaning.
Anyway, I added it to my list of "to do when the boat is out" and duly bought 3 bottles of Sainsbury's "Toilet Cleaner POWER"
Today was the day and having got Sky's the Limit onto her trailer and pressure-washed and scraped the worst off, I was about to give her a spraying, via my Karcher car wash attachment, with said toilet cleaner when I read the label.
It said: Contains HYDROCHLORIC ACID - Danger, causes severe skin burns. May be corrosive to metals.
My immediate thought was, hmm, I wonder what it does to gel coats and GRP?
Any thoughts guys?
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike
Interesting idea! I wouldn't be too worried about the acid. By the time it hits the hull via the sprayer it's going to be quite dilute, and GRP resin is pretty acid-resistant.
I have some cleaner specifically for GRP, and that's based on oxalic acid. Works well when used with a scrubbing brush, especially on those pesky anti-slip deck areas.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Thanks Rick, thought I'd check first, had visions of this melting hull:)
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I am still in the water and have this to look forward to. Don't forget to apply a polish after cleaning and rinsing to protect the GRP from harmful rays.
I also use a deck cleaner by Sparbright. it really cleans up the non-skid decking areas and the cockpit area well with a scrubbing brush.
Simon Armitage
Sowenna (26M)
As as an industrial chemist I'd advise against using product containing hydrochloric acid as although it will be very dilute it will be a problem if you get it in your eyes and it will damage any metal components like bolts and fittings especially if it gets behind them in little cracks were it doesn't get washed out properly. It also isn't much use at removing biological growth as its only there in toilet cleaner as a lime scale remover -which is not a problem on a boat hull. You would be better off using a detergent but thats a problem for the effluent wash off. Best bet is just water pressure. If you want to use a detergent put it on with a sponge and let it soak in for a while before pressure washing off. Be aware that pressure washing will also remove any loose antifouling. If you use strong detergent on old antifouling and dont wash it off completely then new antifouling won't bond.
Many thanks Simon and Mike, that's reallly helpful info.
I was only planning to do the hull with it so perhaps I'll give it a try; I've got thick rubber gloves and goggles so...
I did take off the odd patch of antifoul but in the main it's still intact so I'll probably just touch up and see how things look next winter.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
PBO did a review of cleaners a few years ago. One of the things to check is if the cleaner is abrasive.
http://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/10-gelcoat-cleaners-tested-26286
I think I used a Tesco's cream kitchen value cleaner a couple of years back as, for £1.00 it did the job.
Looks like a simple task is becoming a minefield.
Simon Armitage
Sowenna (26M)