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How to Remove Barnacles With Chemicals

Barnacles are more than just an eyesore on your boat; they can actually decrease your boat's fuel efficiency, according to MadMariner.com. Though boat owners often remove barnacles underwater, which omits the need for chemicals, once a boat leaves the water, barnacles require chemical attention. This is because a barnacle out of water hardens to the consistency of concrete, and its removal requires an acid-based cleaner.

Things You'll Need

Plastic putty knife
Power washer
Rubber gloves
Goggles or eye protection
Cleaning brush
Acid-based barnacle or hull cleanser
Lime remover

Instructions

- 1
  Allow the barnacles to fully dry to the hull of the boat. Scrape the hull with a plastic putty knife to remove any loose barnacles.
- 2
  Power wash the hull of the boat to remove more barnacles. Angle the power washer so the high-powered spray reaches underneath the barnacles, which helps loosen them from the hull. Work in one section of the hull at a time.
- 3
  Put on gloves and safety goggles. Apply the acid-based clean to a small section of the hull. Make sure the cleaner contains hydrochloric acid. Wait for the barnacles to foam, and then scrape them away using a plastic putty knife or scraper. Rinse the acid and remaining residue from the hull. Repeat the process on the other sections of the hull.
- 4
  Apply a lime remover to the entire hull bottom once you have removed all the barnacles. Power wash the hull once more, and inspect the bottom for any remaining residue. Apply the hull cleaner to spot clean any sections with remaining barnacle residue.

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