Barnacle Prints

T

tlaw7

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We had an unusual infestation of barnacles on the Merrimack River this summer as a result of warmer temps and less rain. I have scraped them off the bottom and running gear. I would like to get the remaining residue - barnacle prints - off the prop, shaft, and elsewhere. Is there a chemical or a sanding process anyone has used that works?

Thanks.
 
Muriatic acid from the pool-supply place. BE CAREFUL, that stuff is BAD. Pour a bit into a PLASTIC bucket half full of water and experiment till you find a concentration you like. BE CAREFUL!

Use a brush on a LONG handle (8ft or so) to apply it, and rinse thoroughly with water when done. Stay upwind. BE CAREFUL! It will burn YOU as quick as it burns the barnacles.
 
Better check with a boat yard or paint rep. to see if it will harm your bottom paint.
 
Thanks, I'll try it this weekend. really just looking to strip the running gear. I can scrape and sand the bottom paint areas.

hey, do i need to be careful with this stuff?
 
I use Muriatic Acid on the bottom of my boat when it comes out of the water at the end of the season. I use it in a spray bottle. It works well, but be very careful with it. You don't want to be downwind of that stuff. Don't get it on your skin either.
It also dissolves the bottom paint to a certain degree, so have the hose or power washer ready to rinse it off immediately after use.
 
the acid will also remove the copper from the bottom paint and render it usless so be sure to do any acid work before painting. there are other much more user friendly products out there. google barnicle buster, i believe the base of it is phosphoric acid rather than sulfuric acid. its much safer to work with and will not attack the metal once the calcium deposits are removed.
 
For the running gear Emory Cloth and Elbow Grease. Should polish up like new.
 
I use (actually did this the past weekend) a 4 1/2 inch grinder with a stipper pad. It is like a large rough, blue brillo pad. Home Depot is the only place I have found them. They are called a "Rapid Strip Wheel." Made by Norton. It cleans my Nibral props up to a new shine in no time. ww.nortonabrasives dot com I used this pad on the props, shafts and struts. I am now in the process of waiting for the rain to quit so I can put a second coat of bottom paint on the shafts and struts.

George
 
I have had good luck with Mary Kate On/Off. It's an acid formula but you don't have to worry about dilluting or mixing. They have various formulas for different surfaces. I also like using a sanding sponge as part of my barnical removal tool kit. Be sure to use rubber gloves!
 
I use the Prospective method and it's always worked well.

And Tlaw - I feel your pain. The Saco River right here near the mouth was as bad as I've ever seen it!
 
I use "THe Works" Toilet bowl cleaner from the Dollar Store. Cost me a buck and is the same stuff as mary-Kate's. Look for the one thats safe for fiberglass. I have heard that oven cleaner works well too but havent tried it.
 
I used Muriatic acid on my props one year - took off the dirt/barnicles and also took off the shine . . . be very careful with the stuff - You should NOT inhale the fumes!
 
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