How can I get rid of the scum line around boat? 2025

BASS fisherman reply :

Washed my boat today but couldn't get the brown scum stain cleaned off of the boat. I tried simple green and a scotch bright pad, but after testing it in a hidden spot, it took some of the outer paint off of the boat, most likely because of the scotch bright pad though.

I would like to have some suggestions of how I can get the scum stain off my darn boat. I scrubbed it like crazy too with a brush and hot water to no avail.

Thank you for the help.

Gatorbassman reply :

CLR will get it out. But don't use a coarse rag or steel wool.

cart7t reply :

I used to family camp at Rend Lake in Illinois and a 2 dayer in that lake left my white hull stained brown. Here's how I got mine sparkling white.

Use that toilet bowl cleaner called sno-bowl or tidy bowel. I can't remember exactly which it is. It's got that weird nozzel that allows you to get up under the rim.

Now, if you really want to brighten that thing up add a little clorox in with it...

WARNING!!! MAKE SURE YOUR HEAD IS TURNED AWAY FROM THE BUCKET WHILE POURING THE BLEACH IN WITH THE TIDY BOWL!!!! CAUSTIC FUMES WILL OCCUR!!!!

BASS fisherman reply :

My brother mixed up some caustic fumes once before when cleaning his toilet. He came very close to dieing. He said it took him at least 15 minutes before he could get a full breath again. The fumes closed his lungs up very quickly.

I think I'll try the tidy bowl cleaner since we have some here. If I can't get it with that, I'll try the clr.

Thanks guys.

Anyone else?

Team_Dougherty reply :

I have had good luck with 409. Fantastic works as well.

Alpster reply :

Andy,

Give "GoJo" or "Goop" hand cleaner a try. Be sure to get the kind without the grit in it. Use it with a stiff scrub brush. I spent a fortune on fancy cleaners and chemicals to get the road grime off the aluminum on the side of the RV and nothing would touch it. A friend turned me on to the hand cleaner, it's amazing. Give it a try, it's cheap and I think it will work for you.

Ronnie

flechero reply :

If it's that bad, you might need a mild (or not so mild) rubbing compound. Been there a few times myself, especially when i lived at the lake and the boat stayed in the water for weeks at a time.

Meguire's and 3M both make good compounds made specifically for boats.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

What is the hull made of? Is it the boat in the avatar?

BASS fisherman reply :

The hull is kevlar. The picture in my avatar is my boat, yes.

I like the toilet cleaner tip, as well as the hand cleaner tip. I really think they will both work well.

We have lots of different hand cleaners at our shop, so I'll get a couple brushes and give that a try.

Thanks!

clooney reply :

Many guys swear by BassBoatSaver to clean their boats but I am not sure if it cleans their scum lines. I'de check it though. I know a cleaner that works well on grime called Krud Cutter. It comes in a white bottle like 409 does. It works real well. You can find it at Lowe's I know. Good luck!

cravenfish reply :

On your boat you can use a product called Spray Nine made by Knights. You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot. Its a general cleaner and works great on boats

BASS fisherman reply :

Today I tried some toilet cleaner which was almost very bad. You see, toilet cleaner is corrosive, and therefore eats anything you put it on. I tested a small area on the back of the boat and after letting in soak in for about one minute, I noticed little bubbles forming in the paint. I very quickly rinsed it off, but the bubbles remained. I did get rid of the stain in the area I cleaned though.

I also tried another hand cleaner called M30. Didn't even touch the stain.

The closest thing I could compair the color of the stain, would have to be coffee. It looks just like a coffee stain.

Im going to try the toilet cleaner again, but I'll just rinse it off quicker.

fourbizz reply :

what about cutting and buffing the thing?

BASS fisherman reply :

What is cutting? Buffing I know, but cutting?

fourbizz reply :

You use a mild abrasive and "sand" the surface off. You don't go all the way throough the clear/gel coat just take the abused layer off. then you buff it smooth.

cart7t reply :

Quote
Today I tried some toilet cleaner which was almost very bad. You see, toilet cleaner is corrosive, and therefore eats anything you put it on. I tested a small area on the back of the boat and after letting in soak in for about one minute, I noticed little bubbles forming in the paint. I very quickly rinsed it off, but the bubbles remained. I did get rid of the stain in the area I cleaned though.
I also tried another hand cleaner called M30. Didn't even touch the stain.

The closest thing I could compair the color of the stain, would have to be coffee. It looks just like a coffee stain.

Im going to try the toilet cleaner again, but I'll just rinse it off quicker.

Uhh... I guess I should've added that I dilluted the sno-bowl with water. Cuts some of the foaming action but it allows you to leave it on there.

If worse comes to worse you can wet-sand the stain out. Go to most any auto body parts store and pickup some wet sandpaper in grits starting at 1000 and going up to 2000. Get a sanding block at the same time. I'd start at about 1600, sand one of the areas. Use back and forth motions, NOT circular. If that takes it out you can clean the area up with a polishing compound. You'll want to get some of this sandpaper anyway if you're planning on trying to refinish the top cap on that boat.

kbkindle reply :

kb here i use the toilet bowl treatment i mix 2oz of cleaner to 8 oz water works great kb

Catt reply :

Quit hanging around them ;D

Seriously, Wal-Mart automotive department it's called Orange Blast by Greased Lighting. It'll clean your boat hull, fuel tank area, upholstery, tires, mag wheels, under your hook, and in the kitchen. Spray on let it soak in, brush it, or use a scrub pad.

Way2slow reply :

He made a comment I guess most of ya'll missed and if true it's going to make it very difficult to remove the scumm. He commented toilet bowl cleaner blistered the "PAINT"???. If it's painted, almost anything you do is going to damage the paint if it's painted. If it was gel coat, the bowl cleaner should not have phased it.

BASS fisherman reply :

Quote
He made a comment I guess most of ya'll missed and if true it's going to make it very difficult to remove the scumm. He commented toilet bowl cleaner blistered the "PAINT"???. If it's painted, almost anything you do is going to damage the paint if it's painted. If it was gel coat, the bowl cleaner should not have phased it.

See, Im new to this boat stuff. I don't think it was paint, but Im not sure what exactly it was that bubbled. I tested the back of the boat next to the motor. It looks like fiberglass to me, but I honestly don't have a clue. I'll take some pics of the area tomorrow, and you can see for yourselves, and hopefully have an idea what it is.

cart7t reply :

I've whipped up some pretty strong solutions before but I've never had an issue with it causing a bubbling problem with the gelcoat. It is possible that your gel is just about shot in the area you're dealing with and your down to the undercoat which is just above the fiberglass matting.

BASS fisherman reply :

Quote
I've whipped up some pretty strong solutions before but I've never had an issue with it causing a bubbling problem with the gelcoat. It is possible that your gel is just about shot in the area you're dealing with and your down to the undercoat which is just above the fiberglass matting.

so should I just wet sand it, and buff it? And then add a layer of gelcoat or three?

Catt reply :

You can purchase a buffer from Sears for about $100. English Color or Finish Master will sell the two sided 3M super buffet bonnet for about $30.00. 3m Marine compound is the best over the counter compound. I recommend a marine grade was with CARNUBA in it. You will also need a buffer adapter that both Color Service and Finish Master sell. It is about 7 bucks. This will give the buffing bonnet about an inch clearance between the buffer and the bonnet.

Wipe the boat down with a damp rag and remove any dirt and grime. Apply the compound directly on the boat with a two inch paint brush. Then go to town with the buffer. Start at a low speed until you feel comfortable with the buffer. Stay away from any transducer or temp sensor cables.

If the oxidation/scum is not taken out of the boat, lightly sand the surface with 800 grit sandpaper and spray the paper and the surface with water from a spray bottle.

For an 18-20 foot boat, it will take 5-7 hours to do the entire job. When your arms feel like they are ready to fall off, then you know you have done a good job.

P.S. Do not let the carnauba was to completely dry. Once it dries it gets as hard as concrete and takes forever to remove the excess wax.

I would spend the money for a variable speed. I like mine at 3000 rpms or more. The faster the rpms, the faster you are done. So just make the decision on how long you want to buff on the boat. 1800 rpms is ok, but will take you almost twice as long..

George Welcome reply :

Stop knocking yourself out : to get rid of the staining easily go to Wally Mart and pick up some Hull Cleaner. Star Brite makes it as well as a bunch of other companies. You apply it, and then rinse it off. It's that easy.

It takes me 15 minutes to do my 20' boat and there is no scrubbing involved. Can't get more tea staining than you can from Florida waters.

flechero reply :

Quote
Stop knocking yourself out : to get rid of the staining easily go to Wally Mart and pick up some Hull Cleaner. Star Brite makes it as well as a bunch of other companies. You apply it, and then rinse it off. It's that easy.
It takes me 15 minutes to do my 20' boat and there is no scrubbing involved. Can't get more tea staining than you can from Florida waters.

George,

You are correct, for people that keep up with it! I think the boat in question has had this for a long time... which is why he's having such a hard time. (the boat was given to him so I doubt it's been washed and waxed the past couple years) Once he gets it clean, your suggestion is perfect for routine purposes.

George Welcome reply :

This or similar product will cut that stuff no matter how long it has been there - may take more than one application but it will do the job. If you can cut it with compound or wet sanding and it is in fact tea-staining and scum line issue than any good hull cleaner will cut through.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/72453/0/0/hull%20cleaner/All_2/mode+matchallpartial/0/0

texasbass1 reply :

Try Bow to Stern by Line and Lure.

http://www.rmrindustries.com/store/index.php

Great stuff

555

How can I get rid of the scum line around boat? 2025

related Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic