cleaning SR4.7 hull

woody73 · 21 June 2012, 21:49

Hi chaps

Just picked up an SR 4.7 bare boat but it has been on a reservoir from new and has limescale on the hull. Can anyone reccommend a solution / cleaner to clean this off?

Cheers

whisper · 21 June 2012, 22:28

Congratulations buddy!

I don't know about lime scale but I tried to polish a white hull for ages once because it was brown due to lake water, I couldn't shift it so I took it for a blast in the sea and it came back white

thomas · 21 June 2012, 22:46

Here is a before and after picture of my old Valiant that had spend 5 years in a river without being taken out. I used Y10 and it did a fantastic job, just brushed it on then washed it off.

A.C. · 21 June 2012, 22:56

Snap - I also got hold of a SR4.7 earlier this year that had spent all it's life on an Oxfordshire reservoir and was covered in limescale.
The sailing instructors from the reservoir mentioned using brick cleaning acid but I was a bit concerned about the damage it may cause to the Hypalon and GRP.

I tried many different products but Starbrite Boat Bottom Cleaner worked best.

http://www.rib-shop.com/product.asp?...k=yes&P_ID=572

It is still hard work, I found the best way of doing it was to pour a small amount of the cleaner into a bowl and then using a small/medium size brush constantly work it in to the limescale agitating the brush all the time. Concentrated on a small area at a time, couple of hours per day for about a week but it removed all traces of the stuff. It took two bottles of Starbrite to get rid of it all.

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2012, 22:57

Oxalic acid/wallpaper paste might work.

I think it's the same active ingredient as the starbrite? Either way, the acid won't damage the hypalon.

AJ. · 22 June 2012, 16:39

Another boat! Are you going for a mini armada down there.

Congrats Keith

woody73 · 22 June 2012, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C.

Snap - I also got hold of a SR4.7 earlier this year that had spent all it's life on an Oxfordshire reservoir and was covered in limescale.
The sailing instructors from the reservoir mentioned using brick cleaning acid but I was a bit concerned about the damage it may cause to the Hypalon and GRP.

I tried many different products but Starbrite Boat Bottom Cleaner worked best.

http://www.rib-shop.com/product.asp?...k=yes&P_ID=572

It is still hard work, I found the best way of doing it was to pour a small amount of the cleaner into a bowl and then using a small/medium size brush constantly work it in to the limescale agitating the brush all the time. Concentrated on a small area at a time, couple of hours per day for about a week but it removed all traces of the stuff. It took two bottles of Starbrite to get rid of it all.

Thats where I have just got mine from so its exactly the same limescale!!
Thanks for your help, did you get the engine running on yours, I went for that one but you beat me to it !!

woody73 · 22 June 2012, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Congratulations buddy!

I don't know about lime scale but I tried to polish a white hull for ages once because it was brown due to lake water, I couldn't shift it so I took it for a blast in the sea and it came back white

Hi Whisper

Yeah well chuffed, it's nowhere near as clean as yours but all cosmetic. just needs a load of elbow grease and some gel repairs and it will look really tidy.

Unfortunately it has to go under wraps for a few months now until I finish my Attaque which is coming on really well. I have just put a complete new deck in and am moulding my new console next week. I will have to put some piccies on here.

Cheers mate

woody73 · 22 June 2012, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

Another boat! Are you going for a mini armada down there.

Congrats Keith

Hey Alex

Yes finally got my 4.7, it's built like a tank!! Got loads of scrubbing to do if you and Sarah fancy a weekend in sunny Margate!! Only joking, catch up soon

woody73 · 22 June 2012, 19:09

Anybody know how to convince the wife that we do actually need two boats!!!

A.C. · 22 June 2012, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody73

Thats where I have just got mine from so its exactly the same limescale!!
Thanks for your help, did you get the engine running on yours, I went for that one but you beat me to it !!

Engine cooling system was full of limescale and she did not want to fire up. It was sold as a non runner and although the engine wasn't seized I did not think it would have been an economical repair. So sold for spare parts.
With some TLC the boat is starting to look good, I will post some pics. when all is finished.

willk · 23 June 2012, 15:07

Woody73 - you'll need some type of acid to combat the lime. Brick cleaner is often Hydrochloric Acid at quite high concentrations. If it is diluted to approx. 5-10% it will have quite an effect on limescale but not damage the hull. Like the Oxalic Acid, it will quickly react with galvanised steel too, so be careful. Not the nicest thing to get on you either. Oxalic acid will remove staining from the GRP as well as remove the limescale. It is the active ingredient in a lot of GRP stain removers/hull cleaners.

Rogue Wave · 24 June 2012, 10:49

Them you'll be able to do this

The last picture is what your friends will be doing!

whisper · 24 June 2012, 11:10

And this.....

Avon Searider 4.7 RIB - Yamaha 70hp - YouTube

Rogue Wave · 24 June 2012, 11:18

Hi Alex

When Deja Voodoo is finished (I'm just 1 sizeable tax rebate away from that day)
it will have a Yammie f70 . I feel traitorous buying a four stroke, but it's going to happen.

I'd be very interested in going out with you on a run and comparing the lumps.

it will be before the summer ends if you are up for it

cheers stu

willk · 24 June 2012, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I feel traitorous buying a four stroke, but it's going to happen.

So you eventually came around to the idea!

Rogue Wave · 24 June 2012, 12:51

No I haven't and I'm disgusted with myself! and I know I'm going to miss the smell and music of a two stroke

But I'm in a position nowadays where I'm finding myself increasingly wanting to do some instructing again, and I think a four stroke is going to be a more economical package for a school to hire.

The other thing is we just put an F70 on Jaspers boat and during the course of that I lifted it on to the transom which means it was well light. In addition the two of us jut nipped over to Cowes in the rough (combined passenger weight circa 220 kilos) and we did about 22 miles and used 12 litres of fuel.

If there is any redemption in this I've just bought trailer blokes 90 2 stroke for my 5.4 (Running on Empty)

Any way back to the thread and I can't say i blame whisper for not replying to a four stroke fool!

whisper · 24 June 2012, 14:36

Sorry Stu, sorry I've been out shopping

If I had the money I would go for a four stroke

So it sounds like a Searider Gathering to me

Pete7 · 24 June 2012, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody73

Anybody know how to convince the wife that we do actually need two boats!!!

Do not under any circumstances let Rogue Wave know you have a garden capable of storing more than one boat

Rogue Wave · 24 June 2012, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Do not under any circumstances let Rogue Wave know you have a garden capable of storing more than one boat

Talking of Gardens Iv'e just bought a sectional concrete workshop for mine now if only I could remember who it was I lugged the workshop they bought about for I could get them to give me a hand. I was gonna ask the day across the road but he hung himself yesterday