Hull cleaners- post your gadgets!

[fstbttms]

What fo you guys use to clean a steal hull?! Anything more heavy duty?

Assuming it has anti fouling paint on it, you clean it just like any other hull; as gently as possible.

 

[Couv]

What fo you guys use to clean a steal hull?! Anything more heavy duty?

Some of the things to consider when cleaning a hull are the type of hull, the amount of growth, and the type of growth. On a metal hull with thick barnacle build up, you could be brushing all day long and not make much progress. A metal scraper is called for. On a fiberglass hull with light algae, you can knock that out with a soft pad...if you need to be extra careful get an acrylic aquarium cleaning pad and do it by hand. Using a suction cup device like Muddiver or Fstbttms allows you to apply a good deal of force.

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[rzep]

Have you try a powerwasher?

 

[fstbttms]

Have you try a powerwasher?

A powerwasher should bever be used underwater on painted surfaces.

 

[sterlingMarineService]

I know you can buy something like a "barnacle buster" that runs off air and can only be used on steel hulls but I don't know how many steel hulls I'm going to clean, do I don't want to invest just yet.

This potential job is large, 87 feet, coastguard cutter, so I want the right equipment.

 

[fstbttms]

This potential job is large, 87 feet, coastguard cutter, so I want the right equipment.

What is the condition of the bottom paint? Is this a government contract? How many people post under the name "sterlingMarineService"?

 

[bell47]

I like suit dryer fstbttms!One reason you tend to be wet is that's a Harvey's suit with neoprene wrist seals(looks like it anyway). Scrap the neoprene wrist seals and get some viking HD rubber wrist seals put on it. I did this to my old harveys(just like yours) and it made all the difference in the world. Also the neoprene neck seal is bad when having to look up( like hull cleaning). Ever get that cold stream of water down your back when looking up? I'm NOT knocking Harvey's suits, I use one myself, it just helps to have a few modifications. The relief zipper is the BEST one, I see that you've already done that. I went to a front entry Harvey's work capsule,I really like it. I did put on latex wrist seals under the neo seals, so it has double wrist seals. You guys need to charge more for your services. We get $6/foot for overall boat length here in Maine. There is no way I'm cleaning a hull for 2-3 bucks a foot.

 

[fstbttms]

My neoprene seals are the best part of my suit! I've used latex seal on Drysuits before and Im not a fan. My neoprene seals are very dry, durable and easy to repair. 15 years using neoprene seals and I have never had a problem with them.

I wish we could charge six bucks a foot, but nobody would pay that here in California. Remember, we're cleaning boats 4 to 15 times (or more) a year here, all year long. Boat owners expect some value when they're paying for that much service.

 

[sjensenpiper]

I use 2 cheap air powered grinders and a small angled die grinder. For cleaning props and any bare metal surfaces I like to use 3m pads or nylon brushes or stainless steel brushes for the heavy stuff. I have the barnical buster only used 3 times but still a good investment. On the anti fouling paint and the fiberglass but the water lines. Like to use soft nylon hand brushes or cut up old carpet. I do recomend if you are going to use air tool buy cheap ones. Were I work the salt water eats the hell out of them and it is not worth buying a 300 dollar snap on one. I also make shure a do an inspection of the bottom before you do any work some privet boat owners my blame you for damage that was alredy there. They do make an underwater power washer also that I have seen but never used it is called CaviBlaster thinking of getting that

 

[muddiver]

One of the problems with using a pressure washer is that the water stream only comes out one end so you end up fighting the back push the whole time. If one must use a water jet to clean, build one out of pipe with end caps. You drill one hole in the center of the front end, and three to four holes of smaller size pointing out at angeles on the back. That will compensate for the thrust from teh front hole.

For your air toos, keep a bucket of anti freeze on deck and drop your tools in it after the job and before they start to dry out. The anti freeze for most auto applications has rust inhibitors that will lengthn the life of the tool.