| #1 | |
|
|
Oxalic Acid
OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into.
I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. Has anyone had any experience with this? -- Garry Beattie Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine www.ocean-spirit.com gjbeattie@iinet.net.au |
| #2 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
Seems to me using a pressure washer would be safer
and easier. S.Simon "Garry Beattie" <gjbeattie@iinet.net.au> wrote in message news:3fc3ed1b$0$1750$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.a u... > OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into. > > I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a > fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or > gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > -- > Garry Beattie > Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & > Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine > www.ocean-spirit.com > gjbeattie@iinet.net.au > > |
| #3 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
You'll find a lot of proprietary products such as International Gelcoat
cleaner use Oxalic acid as a component, I assume in very dilute form. I can certainly support the effectiveness of this product when used to remove waterline algae type stains from the gelcoat of my boat. Works like a charm in fact. I think I'd think twice about using just the acid, it's a very potent chemical and is likely to cause you some health problems unless you use it very very carefully. Bear in mind this is the same stuff you can use to remove black mould stains from wood....Rubber gloves, long sleeves and some form of eye protection are a must. Theres a MHDS here.... http://www.racpl.biz/oa_msds.htm Hope this helps.. Iain "Garry Beattie" <gjbeattie@iinet.net.au> wrote in message news:3fc3ed1b$0$1750$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.a u... > OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into. > > I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a > fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or > gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > -- > Garry Beattie > Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & > Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine > www.ocean-spirit.com > gjbeattie@iinet.net.au > > |
| #4 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
You might like to know that its very good at removing rust marks on the gel
coat. Applied with care of course. Eddie "Garry Beattie" <gjbeattie@iinet.net.au> wrote in message news:3fc3ed1b$0$1750$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.a u... > OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into. > > I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a > fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or > gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > -- > Garry Beattie > Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & > Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine > www.ocean-spirit.com > gjbeattie@iinet.net.au > > |
| #5 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
As other posts have indicated it is common as a componant in gel coat
cleaners. It does remove a molecular thin amount of gelcoat but not as much as abrasive cleaners. I have used it (in product form) to remove exhaust stains but not growth. If the alge had stained the gelcoat I would consider it. Dave "Garry Beattie" <gjbeattie@iinet.net.au> wrote in message news:3fc3ed1b$0$1750$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.a u... > OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into. > > I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a > fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or > gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > -- > Garry Beattie > Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & > Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine > www.ocean-spirit.com > gjbeattie@iinet.net.au > > |
| #6 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
Acid based cleaners are very common here (the States) and , for me, was
the ONLY way to get a hull clean this summer. No damage to the hull ; I used latex gloves , eye protection and an old mop. I should add that they also work WONDERS for getting soap film off of shower doors ..... "Garry Beattie" <gjbeattie@iinet.net.au> wrote in message news:3fc3ed1b$0$1750$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.a u... > OK guys, here is one to sink your teeth into. > > I was advised that the best option for cleaning growth off the bottom of a > fibreglass hull is Oxalic Acid. Apparently it does not damage the glass or > gel coat, but it literally strips any foreign matter on the hull clean off. > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > -- > Garry Beattie > Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & > Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine > www.ocean-spirit.com > gjbeattie@iinet.net.au > > |
| #7 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
> > Has anyone had any experience with this? About a teaspoon of crystals in a pint (0,5 litres) water does a super job of removing the brown water staining along the waterline. Back to clean GRP in 5 or 10 minutes. Well pleased. :>) |
| #8 | |
|
|
Re: Oxalic Acid
After lots of discussion on the subject, I have decided to go with a
commercial pre mix of Oxalic Acid and Hydrochloric Acid. Quite a few people have said it works very well with no side effects to the boat. The side effect to the human however, can be dramatic if he doesn't take the necessary precautions! -- Garry Beattie Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine www.ocean-spirit.com gjbeattie@iinet.net.au "Cushie" <nospamhere@vodaphone.net> wrote in message news:YzLxb.14234$lm1.109903@wards.force9.net... > > > > Has anyone had any experience with this? > > About a teaspoon of crystals in a pint (0,5 litres) water does a super job > of removing the brown water staining along the waterline. Back to clean GRP > in 5 or 10 minutes. Well pleased. :>) > > |
