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Dick Manning · 03-03-2021, 10:32

Try Fantastic household spray cleaner available in any supermarket. Years ago there was a publication named Power Boat Reports that accepted no advertising - very similar in purpose to Consumer Reports. It conducted product tests of hull cleaners including many with marine labels. Fantastic came out far ahead of any of the others. I've used it and it works like a charm. Unfortunately Power Boat Reports did not survive and stopped publishing more than a decade ago.

SVTatia · 03-03-2021, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by theglo

We painted our boat 2 years ago white.

We have very dirty diesel fuel.

Our raw water exhaust is 1/2 way forward on the side of our boat.

The 1/2 of the boat behind it is now covered in not so nice exhaust soot grayish doesnt-wipe-off-with-a-rag stuff.

Any tips to clean it up without killing paint job?

PS. We are fixing fuel issue next month during our haulout.

My boat is also painted and I tried everything - the only one that works well is Mr Clean magic eraser. Wax the area after you clean it, it will come off easier next time.

sailcrazy · 03-03-2021, 10:42

Following. Our engine exhaust exits at the static water level of the transom. and as we accelerate that exhaust goes farther underwater, the exhaust plume swirls up and around the transom, and coats the whole back end. We've tried several products, including those mentioned above, and have not had success with anything yet. Hopefully there is something out there?

dreadpiratk · 03-03-2021, 10:46

We also found Magic Eraser to work but they fall apart fast. If you look on Wish you can get 100 sponges of the same material for a few bucks though, and they work well for scrubbing off diesel residue.

Nord Sal · 03-03-2021, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailnav

I've fastened a short plastic tube to the engine-exhaust port. One to two inches or so. Creates a bit of a chimney and helps prevent soot stains.

I've done the same thing. It protrudes from the through hull about an inch. Just enough to prevent exhaust system waters from running down the side of the hull. An ounce of prevention . . .

**JPA Cate** · 03-03-2021, 12:14

Our boat is painted with automotive LPU. We have occasionally got sooty smoke on our transom, and just plain dishwashing detergent (not dishwasher) got it off, with a sponge.

If your paint is not a really hard one, be very careful about soft scrubs like Jif, it is rough enough to take the shine off.

Good luck with it.

hamburking · 03-03-2021, 13:16

WD40. This stuff is amazing.
And you likely already have some on hand.

bkrizmanic · 03-03-2021, 13:17

On & Off hull and deck cleaner, brush it on let it sit and wipe it off. You can find it at West Marine as well as Amazon.

jmschmidt · 03-03-2021, 15:33

Don't let it sit there for months. Remove it after every use if possible, try Simple Green.

roland stockham · 03-03-2021, 17:05

Any of the paint restorers sold at the local auto-shop, they are made to cut through traffic film. "T cut" is the name I know but there are lots of others

SV__Grace · 04-03-2021, 13:12

Simple Green is gentle and works well on soot. On and Off is very effective but you'll need to re-apply wax, as you would for magic erasers, Tilex, Xylol, etc.

The bane of my existence in trying to clean my hull is black marks from docking, etc, and Xylol is supposed to be really effective for those but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. It would be nice to be able to stop buying magic erasers in bulk along with all the elbow grease needed!

SVTatia · 04-03-2021, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

...and Xylol is supposed to be really effective for those but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. It would be nice to be able to stop buying magic erasers in bulk along with all the elbow grease needed!

You sure this stuff can used on painted hulls?

"Xylol (Xylene) can be used to thin specified oil-based paint, lacquer, varnish, epoxy, adhesives, anti-rust, porch & deck paints and synthetic enamels. Xylene will also remove certain adhesives, and is an excellent solvent for cleaning tools and equipment immediately after use."

SV__Grace · 04-03-2021, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTatia

You sure this stuff can used on painted hulls?

"Xylol (Xylene) can be used to thin specified oil-based paint, lacquer, varnish, epoxy, adhesives, anti-rust, porch & deck paints and synthetic enamels. Xylene will also remove certain adhesives, and is an excellent solvent for cleaning tools and equipment immediately after use."

I’m no expert and not sure of Xylol as I mentioned I haven’t tried it yet.

I found my source for this recommendation, Practical Sailor’s article on Four Best Solvents for Nearly Every Boat Job.

According to them it’s fine on paint but read it for yourself. It was interesting for me because Xylol (xylene, same thing) is the only one I’m not familiar with!