Ultimate Fibre Glass Cleaner
In this Mumm 36 rebuild update we teach you how to make the ultimate fibreglass cleaner for a fraction of the price of commercial products.
The porous nature of both Fibreglass and Gel Coat can lead to staining when coloured particles are carried with moisture into the outer layers of your hull. The staining can becomes worse when tiny rust particles from the metal components of your boat are left to react with the fibre glass. Power hosing and steam cleaning can be effective for removing build up on-top of your fibreglass but struggles to get to the stains that have been pulled into the core via osmosis. To clean these embedded stains you need a product that will penetrate to where the stains are. The most effective product to do this is Oxalic Acid, watch the video below to see how we returned the shine to the tired rust stained floor of our Mumm 36 with an Oxalic Acid solution and a light scouring pad.
A straight acid solution works well for deep cleaning areas of the boat were the acid does not run away, like the floor we cleaned in the video above. If you need to clean vertical surfaces like the top sides of you hull it is best to make a paste.
The porous nature of both Fibreglass and Gel Coat can lead to staining when coloured particles are carried with moisture into the outer layers of your hull. The staining can becomes worse when tiny rust particles from the metal components of your boat are left to react with the fibre glass. Power hosing and steam cleaning can be effective for removing build up on-top of your fibreglass but struggles to get to the stains that have been pulled into the core via osmosis. To clean these embedded stains you need a product that will penetrate to where the stains are. The most effective product to do this is Oxalic Acid, watch the video below to see how we returned the shine to the tired rust stained floor of our Mumm 36 with an Oxalic Acid solution and a light scouring pad.
Get the Gear to do it yourself by following the pictures or links to buy online
By adding some detergent and wallpaper paste powder you will get a product which you can apply to any surface.
Avoid galvanised metals, chrome etc. and don't forget to wear PPE. If is safe on stainless steel. Above mix will cope with a 5-6m RIB hull and console.
- 1 litre of luke warm water
- 200g Oxalic acid powder
- 50mls car wash detergent (any mild liquid detergent)
- Wallpaper paste powder (to required consistency)
Add the acid to the water then slowly add some paste powder until mix starts to thicken. Stop short of the consistency you need and let it sit for a few minutes, it will thicken further, finally add the detergent and give it a final mix. Brush on, leaveing for 10-15 mins before presure washing off to reveal your sparkling hull.
Avoid galvanised metals, chrome etc. and don't forget to wear PPE. If is safe on stainless steel. Above mix will cope with a 5-6m RIB hull and console.
If staining is heavy, or there is residual grime, rub gently with a rough cloth or 3M scouring pad and the detergent will help lift the crud and let the acid go to work.
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