cleaning barnacle "glue" on knot meter paddles

[raingolfer]

I typically pull my knot meter when we're going to sit at anchor or in a marina for an extended period. Invariably there is still some baranacle "glue" on some of the paddles.

Does anyone have something you do to get that off other than carefully scraping with a knife? I don't want to; break a paddle by applying too much pressure. I'm not aware of anything I can soak it in to help loosen it.

[Don C L]

Oh man, I am going to follow this thread! I'd love to know a good answer to that too!

[sv_pelagia]

Muriatic acid?

[kenbo]

You can use ON OFF barnacle remover or dilute phosphoric acid. It's easier to do if you drive out the pin retaining the impeller. Use the highest copper content, water based antifoul you can find and paint the impeller with a small artist brush. I use Sea Hawk Monterey and it works well for me in the New England area.

[Jim Cate]

I keep a jar of white vinegar in the bilge compartment where the knotmeter lives, and whenever I remove it, store it in the jar. Takes a day or two, but the barnies and their pals the tube worms are gone when I put it back.

And I also paint the wheel and the cavity in which it lives with whatever bottom paint I have on the bottom now and then. A very thin coat is required and it does not last terribly long, but it does keep growth off... until it doesn't and then into the vinegar with it!

Jim

[SVTwilight]

+1 for vinegar

[Afrinus]

+1 more for Jim.
Vinegar!
I keep it in gallon jugs on the boat because it serves so many purposes.

[Scubaseas]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I keep a jar of white vinegar in the bilge compartment where the knotmeter lives, and whenever I remove it, store it in the jar. Takes a day or two, but the barnies and their pals the tube worms are gone when I put it back.

And I also paint the wheel and the cavity in which it lives with whatever bottom paint I have on the bottom now and then. A very thin coat is required and it does not last terribly long, but it does keep growth off... until it doesn't and then into the vinegar with it!

Jim

This exactly. I've used spray Micron 33 anti fouling to good effect on the paddle wheels. Clean, scuff with fine scotch-brite, 2 or 3 light coats.

[singlespeed]

Vinegar works very well, but canners vinegar is faster. Neither will stain your decks, unlike some of the other commercial corrosion removal products. You can find canners vinegar (almost double the acid) at a farm supply store or where canning supplies are sold. In a pinch, I have use reconstituted lemon juice and Coca Cola. Much slower rate of activity and the Coke did stain the very old paddle wheel.

[philcun50]

I’ve been using bleach for years but I like the sound of vinegar. Canner’s vinegar sounds like what is called “double vinegar” here, also good for getting green mould off sails, biminis and dodgers.
I did buy some stuff called transducer antifoul but I think a smear of waterproof grease helps.
Greasing the “o”ring helps with removal and installation too.

[sailormed]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I keep a jar of white vinegar in the bilge compartment where the knotmeter lives, and whenever I remove it, store it in the jar. Takes a day or two, but the barnies and their pals the tube worms are gone when I put it back.

And I also paint the wheel and the cavity in which it lives with whatever bottom paint I have on the bottom now and then. A very thin coat is required and it does not last terribly long, but it does keep growth off... until it doesn't and then into the vinegar with it!

Jim

I recently added that vinegar jar next to the knotmeter. When stationary for a couple of days I remove the paddle wheel and screw off the lid of the jar when necessary to soak the wheel. When underway the jar stays there and is closed.

[Scubaseas]

I've done Lanacote which is lamb grease. sillycone grease, zinc ointment and sprayed on bottom paint. The grease works. The bottom paints lasts longer (and the more copper the better) but is no more or less effective than grease from my experience. Have not tried hot sauce/pepper sauce as some have suggested

[Scaramanga F25]

Chlorine or muriatic acid, both dangerous and toxic to touch or breathing the fumes.

[Cadence]

Ask your dentist, fillings were derived synthetically from barnacle glue.

[CassidyNZ]

I recently used the leftover silicone coating from a Propspeed application to coat mine. Seems to work fine but I’m not really a good reference because my impeller only goes in the water if I’m sailing coastal or open water. I never bother putting it in the water for local sailing.