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Old 19-02-2011, 07:26   #1
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What Should I Use to Clean My Bottom ?

Only on a boat forum would that title be acceptable... anyhow...

For the first time, I dove the boat myself. I used a plastic scrub brush (think toilet bowl scrubber), and about half way through I started wondering if I was damaging my bottom paint and if I should use something softer. We've got hard paint, but I was aware that my hands were turning blue as I used them to push off the hull.

What's the recommended tool(s)? Would just a wash cloth work?
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Old 19-02-2011, 07:37   #2
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We use swatches of old carpet--cut from discarded carpet samples obtained from Home Depot or Lowes. Seems to work well. A plastic paint scraper will pop off the few barnacles that always seem to form near the waterline without unduly damaging the paint.

FWIW...
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Old 19-02-2011, 07:37   #3
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you want to use the lightest possible implement that will do the job. Yes, if a wash cloth works, use one.
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Old 19-02-2011, 08:11   #4
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I guess it depends on what your boat construction is and what you want to clean! A metal scaper is flexible and you can apply as much or as little pressure as you need for the item that you want to clean.
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Old 19-02-2011, 08:14   #5
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In season, all I get is a bit of slime on the hull, and hard growth only on the unpainted folding prop. I Wipe The hulls down about every 10 days or two weeks, before I go out. On the prop I use a putty knife, (NOT shiny)... And on the hulls I use a gloved hand and VERY light touch, while wearing Kevlar dive gloves. (They last about two years this way)... Mark
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Old 19-02-2011, 08:33   #6
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Originally Posted by svHyLyte View Post
We use swatches of old carpet--cut from discarded carpet samples obtained from Home Depot or Lowes. Seems to work well. A plastic paint scraper will pop off the few barnacles that always seem to form near the waterline without unduly damaging the paint.

FWIW...
I'll expand on this and say I like berber carpet best. The loops seem to resist sliming up better.
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Old 19-02-2011, 08:57   #7
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:01   #8
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i use a plastic broadknife to do my boats bottom. some use metal-i use plastic. some use steel wool on waterline--i use 3m pad--brown or black. takes off the algae scum.
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:05   #9
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i use a plastic broadknife to do my boats bottom. some use metal-i use plastic. some use steel wool on waterline--i use 3m pad--brown or black. takes off the algae scum.
If you are letting your bottom get foul to the point where a brown or black pad or a scraper is required to clean it, you are waiting far too long to clean it. You should clean the bottom frequently enough that a white pad or carpet will do the job. Anything else is uneccessarily removing paint.
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:06   #10
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Notice that fstbttms is using a white pad rather than a blue or black pad, both of which are more abrasive. While a blue pad might be easier for the diver, it's worse for the bottom and for the environment.

With some divers, you have to insist on "White Pad Only." If a white pad won't do the job easily, it's either time for a new coat of paint, or it's time to shorten the interval between cleanings.
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:15   #11
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how long was teh interval on that boat you are cleaning? i.e. when was it cleaned last / prior to your video...

also where is the camera mounted? is it a special camera? where did you get it? I want one!


thanks

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Old 19-02-2011, 09:28   #12
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how long was teh interval on that boat you are cleaning? i.e. when was it cleaned last / prior to your video...
Bill, you didn't pay attention in class. That was the first cleaning on a 3-month old bottom.

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also where is the camera mounted? is it a special camera? where did you get it? I want one!
It's a GoPro Hero HD, mounted on my head.

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Old 19-02-2011, 09:39   #13
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BOTTOM CLEANER

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Originally Posted by kb79 View Post
Only on a boat forum would that title be acceptable... anyhow...

For the first time, I dove the boat myself. I used a plastic scrub brush (think toilet bowl scrubber), and about half way through I started wondering if I was damaging my bottom paint and if I should use something softer. We've got hard paint, but I was aware that my hands were turning blue as I used them to push off the hull.

What's the recommended tool(s)? Would just a wash cloth work?

Micca BD7 Fresh Water Tilting Spray Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:40   #14
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SORRY THAT WAS TOO FUNNY TO PASS UP.
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Old 19-02-2011, 09:42   #15
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And the thread officially goes off the tracks.
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