Removing Calcium Deposits from Pontoons?

[NCLaker]

The provious owner of my pontoon left it moored in the water. Now it has a layer of crusted on stuff (I think it is calcium deposits) below the water line that I could not get off with the power washer.

Can anyone recommend a product that they have used that easily & safely removes this stuff?

I have read elsewhere of people resorting to sandpaper/flap disks to remove it, but I am hesitant cause I don't want to risk thinning out the aluminum walls.

Thanks!

[sparcebag]

Get CLR Calcium,Lime & rust remover

[NCLaker]

Never thought of household products - is it safe on aluminum?

[IFallsRon]

You can try Limeaway, too, or most any heavy duty tub/shower cleaner.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Yes it is safe on aluminum

[WaveWacker]

100% vinegar on a rag.

[Jim Almquist]

I did the whole bottom of my boat last year with pure vinegar and was surprised at how much nicer it looked. There was about 10 years of film but now it is nice and shiny

[NELS-BELLS]

I use CLR on my Crestliner every year. The stuff works great! I only do about a 5' section at a time. Put it on a rag or light scouring pad and rub, then rinse off with water and a rag. Don't let it sit on there very long. Also make sure you wear rubber gloves. Try it on a spot that isn't very visible and see what happens.

My latest boat that I purchased had really bad calcium deposits on one side from a sprinkler system. CLR took it off and made it look like new again.

Nels

[NCLaker]

Thanks all for the feedback!

NELS, do you put it on full strength, and have you tried it on unpainted aluminum? If I do it in my driveway, will it kill the grass?

I would try vinegar, but the smell of that stuff makes me gag. I have to leave the house when the wife uses it to clean the coffee maker.

[Walleye Guy]

Have you tried a power washer yet? My neighbor power washes his each year and that scale seems to fly right off.

[NCLaker]

Tried that first - work good for getting the algee off, but unfortunately what is left would not come off with the power washer. Thanks for the suggestion.

[NELS-BELLS]

I use it full strength. It was fine on painted aluminum and decals but not sure about bare aluminum.

I did it in my garage and used a sponge and bucket of water to rinse the CLR off. Very little CLR actually got on the floor. Like I said before, try it on a spot underneath first.

[NCLaker]

I'll give it a try, if it doesn't workout, I can still use it for around the house stuff. Not sure if I will work on this before putting it in ... or may wait a few weeks, but I'll post how things worked out.

Thanks again all!

[zepman]

CLR will work fine and yes it will kill the grass. Another option would be to find some "thickened" toilet bowl cleaner and apply it with a sponge and gloves. It will generally stay where you apply it without the worry about spilling or running on the grass. Give it a little contact time and then just wipe it off and rinse good. Products like this are much easier to work with and the smell isn't so overbearing. Good Luck.