Barnacle removal without scraping

[0urh]

Time to beach the boat and clean the antifoul. Can barnacles be removed without scraping off? Is there any chemical (eg. bleach, Oxalic acid, etc) that will make them let go?

[Redcoat]

A hookah and elbow grease works pretty good on a clean bottom. I use carpet.

[fisherman.ben]

or you can leave the boat in the water and use a pressure washer (yes, they do still work under water, I do it once a year on the commercial fishing boat I work on) use a 35 tip, close the sea cocks, put on the dive gear, keep it away from strainers and about a foot (or so) away from the boat and go to it. (just don't do it in the harbor, people don't seem to mind if you scrub the bottom with a carpet or brush, but some of them don't like the noise of the pressure washer.)

[dlymn]

In Australia, our Prime Minister will scrape off barnacles for free!

[TonyQld100]

Originally Posted by dlymn

In Australia, our Prime Minister will scrape off barnacles for free!

Now that is funny LOL

[ozskipper]

Boat Bags are great if someone will let you borrow theirs for a night.

[FlightPlan]

Originally Posted by 0urh

Time to beach the boat and clean the antifoul. Can barnacles be removed without scraping off? Is there any chemical (eg. bleach, Oxalic acid, etc) that will make them let go?

If the boat is out of the water, try using WORX toilet bowl cleaner. Don't use in a confined space or mix with any other chemicals. And wear rubber gloves.

[skipmac]

Once firmly attached a barnacle is not "holding on" but is actually glued to the boat. Even if you kill the barnacle the shell will remain attached.

So to get them off you have to do something to break that bond, physically or chemically.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by 0urh

Time to beach the boat and clean the antifoul. Can barnacles be removed without scraping off? Is there any chemical (eg. bleach, Oxalic acid, etc) that will make them let go?

Do not put any caustics or acids on your anti fouling paint.

Originally Posted by fisherman.ben

or you can leave the boat in the water and use a pressure washer (yes, they do still work under water, I do it once a year on the commercial fishing boat I work on) use a 35 tip, close the sea cocks, put on the dive gear, keep it away from strainers and about a foot (or so) away from the boat and go to it.

This is only a good idea if you don't care about your anti fouling paint. A pressure washer will strip anti fouling paint in a heartbeat and can even damage a fiberglass or wood hull.

[George DuBose]

I put the pressure washer machine inside my boat so the noise doesn't annoy anyone. I have an extension for the hose from the pump to the nozzle.

[ztsf]

When the boat is in the water or recently pulled, they should come off with scrapping. I leave my dink in all summer and pull it periodically, and scrap the bottom with a plastic spatula/scraper you can buy at any hardware store. Sure pressure washing will work well too - on a recently pulled bottom coated with anti-fouling paint.

The problem is when they dry out and harden up. They are really tough to deal with. They pressure wash my bottom in the fall when I pull, but never get the barnacles off the prop shaft or max prop.

I hate to do it, but a dilute blend of water and muriatic acid will dissolve the barnacle's shell, which is what's really "glued" on. Scrap as much off as you can, and just treat the residual areas. You need a good ventilated area to work (no issue if you're outside), as the result will be HCl gas, and you need to flush it liberally with water. Wear gloves and eye protection, of course. Even with flushing, I would get a patina on the bronze of the prop, which I would then polish off with a lot of elbow grease. The stainless steel prop shaft was easier.

Might not be the prescribed solution - but it works for me.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by fisherman.ben

or you can leave the boat in the water and use a pressure washer (yes, they do still work under water, I do it once a year on the commercial fishing boat I work on) use a 35 tip, close the sea cocks, put on the dive gear, keep it away from strainers and about a foot (or so) away from the boat and go to it. (just don't do it in the harbor, people don't seem to mind if you scrub the bottom with a carpet or brush, but some of them don't like the noise of the pressure washer.)

How do you keep yourself from being pushed away from the boat while in the water.
With the pressure from the washer, pushing you away.
I don't paint, just free scrape with a wetsuit, every 6 months.


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[dandelang]

A newly to Florida and salt water, I just learned the trick of buying a used inflatable mattress at Goodwill for $3 and keeping the dingy on that. Throw the barnacles and the mattress away at the end of the season.

[Ironman162]

I have one of those electronic gadgets from Jaycar with an electrode either end of the boat.
At first I thought it was a gimic but it works very well much to my surprise.
They come in kit form so you need to have a feel for electronics.
It repels barnacles and keeps the hull clean.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Ironman162

I have one of those electronic gadgets from Jaycar with an electrode either end of the boat.
At first I thought it was a gimic but it works very well much to my surprise.
They come in kit form so you need to have a feel for electronics.
It repels barnacles and keeps the hull clean.

How's that works with the mussels?
I usually have no Barnacles, just a bit of slime and mussel sets.


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