www.iFourWinns.com

Hello,
I need a little help on which is the best Hull cleaner to use. I usually trailer my boat (wash after everyuse), but had left it in the water for 2 weeks. The lake it was in left a nice dark brown rust stain on the waterline. The hull is not so bad a lighter brown.
I picked up some MaryKate On Off hull cleaner, but i am a little nervous because i have a painted Trailer, and it says to cover the trailer. Can this be diluteted with water or does it need to go on @ 100%.
Is there something better that is not as toxic that will get rid of these stains?
thanks
Matt

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

We used the Starbrite hull cleaner. Came out like new again. As for the trailer, didn't have any issues. Don't spray it on. Get some good gloves and a sponge. Whipe it on and rinse off. I was told the Starbrite cleaner would be an issue only on a galvanized trailer (Turn it black) but I was O.k. on the painted trailer.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

"Collinite" brand hull cleaner (readily available at most West Marines, etal), It works like magic.....reasonable price, easy on, easy off.
As well as their hull cleaner, many swear by the Collinite brand of wax.

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2006 Horizon 190, Volvo 4.3GL, Sunsport
towed by 2007 4Runner 6 Ltd

Rob/Dave,
thanks I will definatley take a look @ both products.
I don't know why I bought the MaryKate after reading it. I guess because it was the only stuff the store had, and I felt compelled to buy something.
matt

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

MaryKate??? Those damn Olsen twins market everything now a days! Don't they have enough money?? What's next Ashley's Canvas cleaner?
lol

Matt,

I've used Mary Kate but have found that EasyOff oven cleaner works best for me. Yes, oven cleaner. Hasn't hurt my gel coat and takes the stain right off.

I have a painted trailer too and, like you, worried about it. But I found that if I wash it off immediately, any that dripped on the trailer didn't cause a problem.

I'd be REALLY careful using oven cleaner over a painted trailer. I use it to clean all the grease, wax, oil, and crap off of old military rifle stocks that have been in storage for 30+ years. It dissolves ALL of that stuff on contact. I'd be real careful letting it contact any painted surface.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike,

I'm now officially scared of coming within 100 feet of your boat. Thanks for the heads-up!

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

So i used the On-Off hull cleaner yesterday. I covered the trailer with a tarp and worked back to front starting from the bottom of the boat and working out, and being extremely carefull not to get any on the trailer.
I got a mask for the fumes,put on long pants/shirt and a hat.
All I have to say is that stuff worked great. I didn't have to use to much either. I dumped a little in a bucket and brushed it on with a paint brush, waited 30 seconds to a minute on the heavy spots and rinsed with an electric power wash. The boat is showroom white!!!

Next step wax!!!

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

LOL Paul. No worries, just announce yourself before approaching, and come out slowly. Oh, and if you wait until you're at 100 feet, it's too late

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

We keep our Horizon 200 in a wet slip but not on a lift so we pull it and wash it every 6 weeks. We use good 'ol dollar store toilet bowl cleaner. I'd read on other boating forums that this worked well so we tired it. It works great. We put the cleaner in a pump sprayer , spray down the hull and let it sit about 5 minutes. The discoloration washes right off with minimal scrubbing. The black stuff that sticks tight still has to be scrubbed but we use a scrubbing pad for non-stick cookware (to make sure it doesn't scratch) and it comes off with a little more cleaner & elbow grease. Make sure you wear gloves & I strongly suggest a mask because the fumes can be strong. Hope this is helpful!

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1995 Horizon 200
Rowlett, Texas

When we docked on our lake, the hull from the waterline down would become stained a light brown. We used "The Works" tub and shower cleaner from the dollar store. The stuff works like magic. Stain just disappears when sprayed with this stuff. My trailer is painted and it didn't harm it at all.
HTH,
Jim

I'm curious about the oven cleaner. How long do you let it sit before you rinse it off? Is it just good for the water line or does it get the growth on the bottom of the boat too? I love having the boat in a slip but really hate laying under it on my driveway for an hour every few weeks scrubbing the alage off.

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1995 Horizon 200
Rowlett, Texas

For fresh water brown water line stains Spray Nine works very well and is not toxic.

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'96 Horizon 200
"Have fenders...will raft"