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Old 14-05-2012, 23:53   #1
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Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

Hello all, I left the dinghy in the water alongside too long and barnacles took hold. Took it out, scraped, but still have lots of very sharp remains stuck to the underside.

Any advice on how to remove these effectively with minimum damage to the vinyl (and my fingers)?

Thanks, BWS
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Old 15-05-2012, 00:12   #2
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

I used a piece of wood with a sharp edge
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Old 15-05-2012, 02:25   #3
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I used a piece of wood with a sharp edge
And a lot of elbow grease.

I have had the same problem and it was a lot of effort to get off. I don't leave the dink in the water now and flip her over on the beach more frequently to give her bottom a scrub as well.

If anyone knows a better way I would love to hear it as well
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Old 15-05-2012, 02:31   #4
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

A plastic scraper or an old bank card worked for us (and patience & time)
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Old 15-05-2012, 02:56   #5
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

try using pure bleach (chlorox),let it sit for a while before attemting to scrape it,and use rubber gloves
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Old 15-05-2012, 03:44   #6
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

If you have a pressure washer, thats the best way IMHO. I had the same problem with my last boat, left the dingy tied to the bow instead of pulling her out all the time and in just over a month it was covered!

The jet wash got all the barnicles off but the vinyl still had marks where they had been which I couldn't remove. At least there is no risk of scratching or even puncturing the dingy with water power.
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Old 15-05-2012, 03:50   #7
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

In Spain I saw people using Aqua-Forte(sp?) (strong water) - which is 20% hydrochloric acid, diluted 1:1 with water, to get rid of barnacles from hulls and dinghies. Saw this both applied by shipyard professionals and boat owners. Seems to be quite popular method there and is definitely very effective. Gloves and eye protection were used as a rule.
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Old 15-05-2012, 03:58   #8
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

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In Spain I saw people using Aqua-Forte(sp?) (strong water) - which is 20% hydrochloric acid, diluted 1:1 with water, to get rid of barnacles from hulls and dinghies. Saw this both applied by shipyard professionals and boat owners. Seems to be quite popular method there and is definitely very effective. Gloves and eye protection were used as a rule.
that definetly works as well as sulfuric acid,though will melt the concrete floor around the dinghy as well
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Old 15-05-2012, 04:14   #9
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

Yes, it's commonly used to remove the little buggers from props, rudders, etc. I'm sure it would make short work of them on a dingy, just be ready to wash it all off with plenty of fresh water to stop the dingy dissapearing as well!
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Old 15-05-2012, 10:16   #10
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

I used a paint scraper, something like this: 3 in. Flexible Scraper-PT30F at The Home Depot as other stuff, including bleach, didn't work well. Hold it parallel to PVC and scrape gently. Almost no traces left except for some stains here and there. The biggest problem that I noticed after was that PVC in barnacle spots became a bit thinner, not because of scraping but because of barnacles.

Didn't know about sulfuric acid.
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Old 15-05-2012, 10:24   #11
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

davits. :>)
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Old 15-05-2012, 10:47   #12
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

In Trinidad you're pushing your luck if you leave your dink in the water for two weeks.
I used a metal putty knife and a product called On and Off. Many cruisers paint the bottom to the waterline with anti-fouling paint.
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Old 15-05-2012, 11:16   #13
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

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In Trinidad you're pushing your luck if you leave your dink in the water for two weeks.

I used a metal putty knife and a product called On and Off. Many cruisers paint the bottom to the waterline with anti-fouling paint.
Marykate On & Off is a lot like Ospho.
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Old 15-05-2012, 11:23   #14
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

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Originally Posted by atoll View Post
try using pure bleach (chlorox),let it sit for a while before attemting to scrape it,and use rubber gloves
Bleach and the other chemicals suggested can harm the plastic the dinghy is made of. I assume you want the dinghy left after the barnacles removed?

Vinigar and gently scraping with a soft tool, IE wood, works the best followed by a good washing.

PVC has fair resistance to most mineral acids, like HCL, but I would use dilute, and wash/neutralize after. Vinigar is safer.
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Old 15-05-2012, 12:45   #15
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Re: Barnacled soft-bottomed Zodiac

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Originally Posted by capn_billl View Post
Bleach and the other chemicals suggested can harm the plastic the dinghy is made of. I assume you want the dinghy left after the barnacles removed?

Vinigar and gently scraping with a soft tool, IE wood, works the best followed by a good washing.

PVC has fair resistance to most mineral acids, like HCL, but I would use dilute, and wash/neutralize after. Vinigar is safer.
i will report back after waging war on the fairly large mussels that must be growing by now
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