thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
I have a 2 part problem.
#1. I have researched the forums and have tried the sharks hide tube cleaner, Air Conditioning acid cleaner and toon bright. Didn't touch the buildup, made the top portion nice and white in color. This boat was from eastern Nebraska and the guy who owned it for 10 years left it beached on a sandy beach all summer long for 10 years with very heavy calcification on the back half of the tubes, about 1/16th of an inch thick. Does anyone have any other suggestions for cleaning them up? Do I need a sander and mechanically remove the buildup?
#2. Because he stored it this way the trim/tilt oil was milky white in color and the oil had to be replaced. My trim indicator still doesn't work, the needle on the electric trim gauge just shows "up" all the time and barely moves when the engine is all the way down.
Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. Still snowing between days of high 60 degree weather here in Wyoming, really looking forward to enjoying the boat on the water!! Thanks
#1. I have researched the forums and have tried the sharks hide tube cleaner, Air Conditioning acid cleaner and toon bright. Didn't touch the buildup, made the top portion nice and white in color. This boat was from eastern Nebraska and the guy who owned it for 10 years left it beached on a sandy beach all summer long for 10 years with very heavy calcification on the back half of the tubes, about 1/16th of an inch thick. Does anyone have any other suggestions for cleaning them up? Do I need a sander and mechanically remove the buildup?
#2. Because he stored it this way the trim/tilt oil was milky white in color and the oil had to be replaced. My trim indicator still doesn't work, the needle on the electric trim gauge just shows "up" all the time and barely moves when the engine is all the way down.
Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. Still snowing between days of high 60 degree weather here in Wyoming, really looking forward to enjoying the boat on the water!! Thanks
2005 JC 246 24" Tri-toon 5.0l V-8 "Can't You Sea"
2015 F-150 3.5 Eco Boost, Platinum
2004 F-350 Superduty, bulletproofed
2019 Toyota Highlander
30' Coleman 300 TQ
Several 4-Wheelers
Casper WY
2015 F-150 3.5 Eco Boost, Platinum
2004 F-350 Superduty, bulletproofed
2019 Toyota Highlander
30' Coleman 300 TQ
Several 4-Wheelers
Casper WY
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
Maybe muriatic acid? Or possibly clr?
David, Whitney, Savannah and Reagan
2005 Voyager w/ 2009 225 Optimax AKA Ziegenboat (after my favorite beer, ziegenbock)
Tow vehicle is a 2011 Tundra 4x4
2005 Voyager w/ 2009 225 Optimax AKA Ziegenboat (after my favorite beer, ziegenbock)
Tow vehicle is a 2011 Tundra 4x4
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
This isn't what you want to hear but sanding is about the only way you will get it off. (my experience)
Mine wasn't that bad but my old boat had set up about three years and it was bad enough that acid, wouldn't touch it. coarse sanding sponges down to fine sponges was what I had to do.
Mine wasn't that bad but my old boat had set up about three years and it was bad enough that acid, wouldn't touch it. coarse sanding sponges down to fine sponges was what I had to do.
1995 beachcomber conversion to tritoon with Honda 135 ,
Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]
God Bless America
Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]
God Bless America
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
You could try renting a high psi pressure washer with a spin nozzle. This will remove concrete so it might work, it should be at least 3500 psi.
2014 Harris 22' Solstice Tri-toon
150 Mercury 4-stroke
150 Mercury 4-stroke
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
garygve wrote:You could try renting a high psi pressure washer with a spin nozzle. This will remove concrete so it might work, it should be at least 3500 psi.
I don't know how thick the logs are but at 3500 psi pressure, be careful
1989 28' Tracker Party Hut
115 hp 4 stroke Yamaha
Sacramento, Ca
115 hp 4 stroke Yamaha
Sacramento, Ca
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
The last resort would be abrasive products. I suggest getting a dual action sander/polisher--available at Harbor Freight inexpensively. They don't get you in trouble as easy as some other sanders.
You'd want to use galuminum oxide paper. Start by using only the grit needed to cut the deposits. Then, go to higher number, less grit sandpaper and eventually polish the toons if possible.
As far as the tilt gauge, you may need to get a new sender that fits on the powerhead.
You'd want to use galuminum oxide paper. Start by using only the grit needed to cut the deposits. Then, go to higher number, less grit sandpaper and eventually polish the toons if possible.
As far as the tilt gauge, you may need to get a new sender that fits on the powerhead.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
That type of long term build up will most likely only be removed by sanding. Try taking a putty knife and scraping it a bit. If you can not easily get it scraped to bare metal, bust out the sander.
Your lower unit oil was not milky because of the way it was stored. It had water in it, either because of a leaky O ring on either the drain/fill plug, or a seal internally. This also has nothing to do with your tilt/trim gauge. Somewhere on the motor mount there will be a sending unit which is most likely bad. My advice: Spend some time will Google and research your brand and year of motor. You should be able to find the correct readings to test your gauge and your sender. Replace the bad unit and you will be good to go.
Good luck!
Your lower unit oil was not milky because of the way it was stored. It had water in it, either because of a leaky O ring on either the drain/fill plug, or a seal internally. This also has nothing to do with your tilt/trim gauge. Somewhere on the motor mount there will be a sending unit which is most likely bad. My advice: Spend some time will Google and research your brand and year of motor. You should be able to find the correct readings to test your gauge and your sender. Replace the bad unit and you will be good to go.
Good luck!
Just one boat...after another, after another
Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
To remove calcium,algae and crud, our marina uses muriatic acid and a pressure washer. I have them acid wash and pressure wash our boat every spring,it sits in a freshwater slip year round for a 22 ft. tritoon they charge me $250.
2011 Manitou OasisVP Tritoon w/Yamaha 150
- HandymanHerb
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Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
Your not going to hurt the toons even with my 14 hp 4000 psi 4 gpm modelSeon wrote:garygve wrote:You could try renting a high psi pressure washer with a spin nozzle. This will remove concrete so it might work, it should be at least 3500 psi.
I don't know how thick the logs are but at 3500 psi pressure, be careful
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Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
Muratic acid will take it right off. Use it out side with rubber gloves and eye protection, if you are over good concrete use something plastic to catch the drip ens in or you will eat a hole in it. i brush it on stright with a stiff brush scrub an area rinse with water and move down the log a little bit and repeat. if you do it over grass well ya it will kill the grass
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Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
I agree with using the scraper first, then hit it with a D/A until clean enough to cut it with the hull cleaner.
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Re: thick calcium deposits on tubes, how to remove
Hey Firedog...
I'm just north of you in Buffalo, and I have the same problem!!
Were you able to crack the code on getting that nasty 'cement' scale/buildup off of your toons?
What worked?
I have the same problem, and have heard suggestions like:
- Get a sand blaster and knock it off' (could hurt the toons right?)
- Get your belt sander out and grind it off. (would like to avoid that level of effort unless absolutely necessary)
- Get this stuff call "ZING". It works like Muriatic acid but is easier on the aluminum?
I've tried about everything else. CLR, Lime Away, Calgon beads, Vinegar,
Hoping you 'broke the code' on this nasty stuff??
Thx
F16 Fighter Pilot
I'm just north of you in Buffalo, and I have the same problem!!
Were you able to crack the code on getting that nasty 'cement' scale/buildup off of your toons?
What worked?
I have the same problem, and have heard suggestions like:
- Get a sand blaster and knock it off' (could hurt the toons right?)
- Get your belt sander out and grind it off. (would like to avoid that level of effort unless absolutely necessary)
- Get this stuff call "ZING". It works like Muriatic acid but is easier on the aluminum?
I've tried about everything else. CLR, Lime Away, Calgon beads, Vinegar,
Hoping you 'broke the code' on this nasty stuff??
Thx
F16 Fighter Pilot