Cleaning Fibreglass, fast and effectively.

Cleaning fibreglass and Gelcoat can be time consuming and messy if you use power hoses or steam cleaners and both of the techniques can still leave stains due the pours properties of fibreglass and gel coat.

Many of the most hard clean stain in fibreglass are a result of small particles of metal (often in the form of rust) getting sucked into the fibreglass. The best way to address this is with an Oxalic Acid based cleaning solution. The acid penetrates the fibreglass de-solving the stain which can return even the most stained fibre glass back to near new.

An Oxalic Acid cleaning solution not only attacks rust stains, it works equally well with mould, algae or anything else that has passed into the fibre glass through osmosis.

Most of the commercial fibreglass cleaners have Oxalic acid as their primary ingredient, rather than paying over the odds for expensive products you should purchase some oxalic acid and make your own fibreglass or Gel Coat cleaner for a fraction of the cost.

OXALIC Acid 99.6% 2 Lb. Crystals

OXALIC Acid 99.6% 5 Lb. Crystals

To mirror the commercial cleaning products add some detergent and wallpaper paste powder and you will get a product which you can apply to any surface.

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, leaving for 10-15 mins before pressure washing off to reveal your sparkling hull.

Once you are clean it is a good option to neutralise the acid with some borax. Just throw on some borax and mop it around before you mop up the acid remains.

We hope you enjoyed the latest episode as the team at bottom up boats restores their Mumm 36.

Thanks for supporting Bottom up Boats !

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualify purchases.

[philgray]

Thanks for that. I will try this on the heads locker which is looking seriously tired after the through hulls were replaced.

[eg]

Good video thank you👏 It might be a good idea to update the description box with the information regarding the need to neutralize the acid afterwards - just in case someone misses it in the comments below etc👍 I didn't know until I read someone's comment...but it seems pretty important😁

[ronprince]

Thanks for the information, it is appreciated.

[TimHaunFishing]

Very useful. We are diving into our project had first tomorrow so I won't be able to use this method at the start. But I will definitely order the acid and use it moving forward. Thanks for the tips sir.

[waterboy]

Thanks a million! Great stuff, I'll be using this trick for sure.

[MurphysLemonadeStand]

My friend. This was helpful. I have so many different things I have to get done on my boat this fall and I am saving this information. In case you are not the guy that referred me by FB I will comment there as well.

[scholtenrm]

It’s better to use a hard brush. That way, you don’t damage the surface. Keeping it smoother, so dirt doesn’t stick to it as quick.
Nice result, Bottom Up 👍🏼

[johngaytes-exnt]

Is it safe to use in closed environment with out mask or ventilation? thank you

[WholeFoodPlantPeople]

great vid! Will this work for in-home Fiberglass Showers too? Or is it too rough?

[SangHaus]

Do you know if the Oxalic acid would bleach out or effect colored fiberglass?

[paulchapman]

Should you use a respirator while using this product?

[marshabeardsley]

Can that acid be used on fiberglass on outside of boats fiberglass

[ErikHansen-uq]

Never pour water into acid. But pour acid into water.