Water line discoloration on a white hull

[BrianNeil]

How do people clean the water line discoloration of their hulls ? Are there specific products that work better than others ? Different products for fresh and salt water I would have to assume ? Can these products be used in the water? Or do you need to have your boat on the trailer ? My boat's hull can look particularly bad as it is entirely white.

I was thinking how nice it would look and how effective it would be to just have that bottom portion of my white hull painted black. The would effectively hide that unattractive waterline you eventually get. Has anyone contemplated that? or done it ?

[Portholme]

in the Uk we use Oxalic acid gel although I'm told toilet bowl cleaner works as well. Check on youtube, there are some great demos.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Portholme

in the Uk we use Oxalic acid gel although I'm told toilet bowl cleaner works as well. Check on youtube, there are some great demos.

Oxalic is what is in a lot of toilet cleaners. Some folks use one called the works from the dollar store.

[dbriceno]

Mary Kate On Off is the marine version you can get at a marine store. Use gloves.

[BrianNeil]

I got this product called Lime Away at the Dollar store for you guessed it, $1.
I barely had to scrub with a brush. Check out the contrast on my boats transom.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by dbriceno

Mary Kate On Off is the marine version you can get at a marine store. Use gloves.

I use Mary Kate On and OFF as well. I've used the regular and the gel version. The regular works much better IMHO. It's primary ingredient is.......you guessed it, Oxalic acid.

Gloves are a must, I use goggles to be safe, you don't want that stuff splashing in your eyes. I wet down the hull, then use a rag to wipe it on gently. It looks like it's not doing anything when you wipe it on, that is ok. Just start wiping it on and move along. You'll look back after a few minutes and any discoloration is gone. If you're using elbow grease you're doing it wrong.