Barnacle Removal from Gelcoat
 

Just bought a boat out of Florida that is covered with heavy barnacles. Does anyone have any tips on best way to remove without damaging gelcoat? Never had bottom paint and would prefer to keep that way although I will need to paint engines I'm sure. Thanks

What kind of boat?

I'm a DIY guy, but I'd just take it to a marina and have it blasted. You can scrape the barnacles off, but ultimately if you want to remove everything you'll end up having it blasted always

Fsr gel, and “on-off”. Spray it on, let it sit and pressure wash them off. May require a little scraping here and there but not much. Once you cleaned it make sure to wax the gel so it doesn’t stain the first time it hits the water

Thanks for the replies guys. Boat is a 280 Pursuit sport with twin yamaha 250's. I have scrapped the large part of barnacle off and am using On and Off, CLR and Phosphoric acid followed by more scrapping and compound with a wheel to remove the "husk", but slow going. Blasting doesn't work as barnacles are harder than Gelcoat so it will pit the gelcoat. Never heard of FSR Gel but will do research to see where to buy. I might also try Muriatic acid but hesitate to use it as a dangerous product to be around. Thanks

"fiberglass stain remover"

Try using straight Muratic acid. Spray it on with a pump garden sprayer. The fumes do SUCK though.

Thanks guys