Hard Water Scum On My Outboard

[Mart]

I keep my boat on a lift on Table Rock year round (I know Mr. Babler thinks that's crazy). Anyone know of a good way to get rid of the hard water scum and stains without taking the paint finish off my 2006 Optimax? Has anyone used Lime away or CLR or anything else?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Gilly]

Are you going to leave it on the lift to work on it or move it on shore? Might want to be carefull with chemicals if over the water.

Meguiars use to have a clay bar that worked on lighter crud removal but for some serious work I've used Mary Kate On Off.Nasty stuff but it works. I've tried soaking rags in vinegar and then laying the rag on the deposit. Works sometimes and not so well other times. I suppose that depends on the composition of the crud.

[Walleyedmike]

https://larsensa.hostinggreatlakes.com/appieshop/

I have not personally used these products, the wonderfoam and restore boat polish get rave reviews on the walleye central website. Seems like the wonderfoam is not recommended to use on plastic, though. If you try it, please let us know if it works as advertised.

WM

[gotmuddy]

muriatic acid

[Dutch]

I used to use Wonderfoam and Restore. I have switched to Limeaway and Bow to Stern. I have been using Limeaway since recognizing the smell of Wonderfoam to be the same as Limeaway. I use it on the boat, motor and trolling motor.

I used Bass Boat Saver for a long time until I tried Bow to Stern. It lasts a lot longer than the other products I have tried.

[Mart]

Thanks for the tips. I will clean it up when I pull the boat out for year end maintenance on the motor, and rinse it off completely before dropping it back in the lake.

Dutch, no problem with Limeaway and the paint finish on the motor?

[Wayne SW/MO]

Wash the area real well and then wrap it with an old dish towel. Keep the towel damp with white vinegar which will soften it up. A gallon at Wally world is cheap.

[CapnKenny]

I have really good luck with Slimy Grimy http://www.slimygrimy.com/ it is safe for the environment too!

[Dutch]

Thanks for the tips. I will clean it up when I pull the boat out for year end maintenance on the motor, and rinse it off completely before dropping it back in the lake.

Dutch, no problem with Limeaway and the paint finish on the motor?

No sir none what so ever. I have been using it for at least 7 years on this motor.

[DChance]

I have heard of people using CLR with good results.