Barkeeper's Friend...Correct form and use of Porduct.

Good Morning! Thanks to all for a very informative site. I've learned tons so far! I'm the proud owner of a '81 H16. Needs some beautification but very excited to make it my own. Question: Bar Keeper's Frind has been recommended many times as a good oxidation layer remover. I discovered that it comes in two forms: traditional powder and liquid. Any thoughts on which is preferred? I haven't found the proper protocol for it's use. Is it applied by hand with a damp cloth? Random Orbital Polisher? Their website doesn't offer specific directions for Hobie Hulls. Thanks in advance for any information provided!

I can't say for the liquid but the powder worked very well my stained hulls. I applied the powder by hand with a damp cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinsed off. I think a power tool is overkill for this job, but if the stains don't come out with Barkeeper's Friend then you may need to either live with the stains or find another method.

If your boat is white,first mist it with a Bleach solution and let sit on for a few minutes in the sun than wash it off.Be sure to mist the bleach only on the hulls.
Now use Barkeep's Friend in the powder form and scrub it in circular motion with a Chore Boy Golden Fleece scrubbing cloth.If you let this compound sit and somewhat dry it will remove even dirt.Now rinse and wash it off.
Now follow up with 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax
and head for the beach....................Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE

Bar Keeper's Friend is not appropriate for removing gel coat oxidation. It's primary use is stain removal, especially the brown tannin stains from lake water.

It's active ingredient is oxalic acid, combined with a very mild abrasive. The powdered form is most commonly used. Wet the hull and apply the BKF to a wet sponge and wipe. Let sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

To remove gel coat oxidation, you need something more aggressive, like rubbing compound or even wet sanding.

The MSDS for Bar Keepers Friend (http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/files/file/Bar-Keepers-Friend_Powder-MSDS-2011.pdf) specifically cautions against use with bleach - combining the two can be extremely hazardous (chlorine gas).

Ok, Thanks for the info. Let me sum up what I've learned:
BKF is only good for removing extrinsic staining aquired from the environment (ie tea colored lake water), not for removing any remarkable oxide layers. Chlorine based cleaners should not be used with BKF due to the potential release of chlorine gas. Oxides should be tackled with a form of rubbing compound. (Just curious. the surf city video where it shows a 70's something hull being brought back to life with a buffer and compound; Is that a realistic expectation for most hulls? I didn't get anything close to that with the 3M product and random orbital polisher.) Thanks again for any additional info.

Oxalic Acid is the main ingrediant in "Star Brite Hull Cleaner" ($8 at Walmart).

Works great on white hulls that take on a greanish/brown tint after a couple of days at the lake. Just wipe it on, let it set for two minutes and hose it off.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

Dear jsloan999,

Thanks for the info! I have the same H16. ('81 Tequila Sunrise) I just got it a few weeks ago. Any particulars or advice you can impart for maintenance, restoration, sails, racing tweeks, etc? Thank you in advance!

Whoops. . . looks like I need to improve my reading comprehension.

Another good product that is safe to use on gelcoat, etc. is "RustAid - Outdoor" from Home Depot or Lowes. I primarily use it to remove rust stains caused by irrigation sprinklers around my yard, but have also been using it for many years to clean the brown stains off the gelcoat, etc. of my powerboats and previous white hulled Hobie14T caused by exposure to organic acids as: tannic, humic and fulvic in our brackish water (in addition to rust stains).

The active ingredients in RustAid are: Hydrofluoric Acid and Oxalic Acid. I usually dilute it with water in a hand pump sprayer, spray it on, wait a few minutes and then rinse it off and the stain is gone.

Once you get rid of your gelcoat stains, it is best to seal the porous gelcoat with a wax so it will be less likely to stain again.

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL