Acid Wash now or later

I use The Works toilet cleaner. The Works toilet bowl cleaner, 10-20% Hydrochloric acid (some bottles 10% some 20%). Usually $1-2 for 32 ounces vs. $12-15 for Star Brite, which is 5-10% oxalic acid.   I dilute it with water and spray on with a bleach sprayer. I also like the idea of "painting" or sponging it on to avoid getting it somewhere you don't want it. Protect anything painted or metal, don't use it sitting on concrete (it will dissolve concrete). It seems to work better on a damp hull. Wear long (kitchen type) gloves and avoid getting inside the gloves. Whatever you use, give it time to work and you will be surprised by the results.

scootdogydog wrote: Paul, the trailer is 8'6", but the tires overhang the fenders, so maybe 8'8" iirc. It just barely fit into a 9' trimmed garage door

Scott, That puts the total width at about 102. I was hoping it would be a bit smaller on an older trailer. It may still fit but I think it's going to be real tight. It's definitely not going to work for the summer but maybe if I remove the gutters from the side of the house and put on some biscuit tires I'll be able to get it back there.

Either way I'll know next month.

SNobsessed wrote: One advantage of having the marina do the acid application is (I assume) they will lift it off the trailer.    Then you don't have acid eating the trailer paint. Plus they get under the bunks too.

Well I don't have a trailer yet, so that wouldn't be an issue. Hoping to get one from Tim B/Scott next month and then will go get the boat and bring it down state. I also don't know if the trailer will fit up my drive yet. Drive is about 95 to 100 inches wide with a bit of a kink at the end. With it fits or not will be a matter of inchesinches. if I can get the trailer to the back of the house then I can store the boat here for the winter, if not I'll have to find some where to keep it.

So basically I'm not sure where it's going to be and if I'll be able to do a wash before it gets too cold. , So my problem is really if the Marina doesn't do it now it likely it will have to wait until the spring. If I can get the boat near a hose before it drops below 55 I'll clean it myself.id rather not pay $300 to the Marina for something that wouldn't take me more then a 2 or 3 beers (I'm a light drinker).

One advantage of having the marina do the acid application is (I assume) they will lift it off the trailer.    Then you don't have acid eating the trailer paint. Plus they get under the bunks too.

never put off til tomorrow what you can do today.

the hull cleaner is maybe an hour job and then you can dream about your nice clean boat all winter. As stated don't get it on any painted surface, decals or your trailer. keep the hose running right next to you in case you do.

Paul,
Since you plan on a wet sand buff come spring I feel it really doesn't matter when you acid. As Larry mentioned, gel is porous and any staining that may happen over winter storage will come out with the wet sand. I've had very good results with the off the shelf acid based hull cleaners. It does open up the pores and seems to stain quicker in the water so a waxing is very important.

Along the lines of what Steve just said, I never used a marina acid wash, I just used On & Off, which I believe is Tim's preferred chemical as well. Still an acid, and a pretty stout one, but it is a do it yourself at home operation.. You control the timing. It can be a little unpleasant under the boat, as I have spent some time on my back with the junk dripping down on me. Proper PPE is advised.

I would do it now. The acid wash is pretty powerful and effective and would probably do just fine in the spring, but even fiberglass has some degree of porousness, and staining could occur left there for 6 months, so why chance it. Not an expert by any means, just my opinion. I used to leave my boat in the water all summer up in ny and always acid washed it in the fall as soon as it came out.

BTW: I like the clean simple lines of that boat. Where in NY are you?