Discussion:
Removing barnacle residue
(too old to reply)
Gogarty
2010-05-02 12:51:41 UTC
Permalink
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.

Try vinegar.

Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
mmc
2010-05-02 13:45:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gogarty
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.
Try vinegar.
Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
Sounds a heck of a lot better than scraping or sanding. Thanks!
Joe
2010-05-02 14:32:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gogarty
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.
Try vinegar.
Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
Liquid toilet bowl cleaner will dissolve most of that calcium, much faster
than vinegar. Be sure to wear those rubber gloves.
Gogarty
2010-05-15 13:56:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Gogarty
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.
Try vinegar.
Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
Liquid toilet bowl cleaner will dissolve most of that calcium, much faster
than vinegar. Be sure to wear those rubber gloves.
Would you prefer your boat smell like a toilet or salad dressing?
Joe
2010-05-15 18:53:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gogarty
Post by Joe
Post by Gogarty
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.
Try vinegar.
Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
Liquid toilet bowl cleaner will dissolve most of that calcium, much faster
than vinegar. Be sure to wear those rubber gloves.
Would you prefer your boat smell like a toilet or salad dressing?
It's on the outside, will be rinsed off, and will soon be covered with paint
and in the water.

It smells more like muriatic acid and a detergent. I don't use it after it
has been in the toilet like you seem to suggest that you would do.
Gogarty
2010-05-16 13:02:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Gogarty
Post by Joe
Post by Gogarty
So you've got the barnacles off the dinghy, the waterline and wherever
else they are mnot supposed to be like the propeller. But you still have
a blanket of hard little white base pads which are the very devil to
remove especially if they are on gelcoat.
Try vinegar.
Soak the whie spots, some of which can be quite large and thick, with
copious quantities of plain vinegar. Yes, it runs off. Soak a sponge and
keep doing it. The stuff is cheap, about $1.70 a gallon around here. The
base plates won't dissolve but they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail. Then wiipe away the
powedered residue with more vinegar. .
Liquid toilet bowl cleaner will dissolve most of that calcium, much faster
than vinegar. Be sure to wear those rubber gloves.
Would you prefer your boat smell like a toilet or salad dressing?
It's on the outside, will be rinsed off, and will soon be covered with paint
and in the water.
It smells more like muriatic acid and a detergent. I don't use it after it
has been in the toilet like you seem to suggest that you would do.
Lighten up! I was joking. Rubber gloves not needed with vinegar.

I have used muriatic acid to remove rust stains from the boat. Seems like
overkill for barnacles.

P***@nospam.invalid
2010-05-02 15:05:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gogarty
they will soften to the point that you
can scrape them off with your finger nail.
hmm..... I don't think my manicurist will be very supportive of this
strategy.

Rick
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