Advice on cleaning my trim tabs

[DocJoe]

Cleaning up my RT and could use some advice. Previous owner left boat in salt water for about 3 years and bottom was fouled. I’m wanting to get the trim tabs cleaned down to metal. I scraped off the small barnacles but can’t make a dent into underlying hard scum. What’s best way to clean this stuff off? Thank you.

 

[KKRCRACE]

Power wash and the best tool I have found to scrape the barnacles and slim off the trim tabs is a new 1 1/2 to 2 inch wood chisel. Works great for me.
KKRCRACE

 

[DocJoe]

🙂 thank you!

 

[Medic741]

I do mine every haul out before painting with zinc anti fouling paint. The only way I have found to bring it down to metal is a drill with a wire brush and lots of elbow grease followed by sandpaper. It's not fun but it will work. Good luck.

 

[YukonRon]

I have used those ceramic scrapers that you buy at the hardware store for cleaning glass-top stoves. They work pretty good for scraping soft metal, brass propellers, etc without gouging the metal.

 

[BB marine]

I use an electric oscillating tool. I have the craftsman model. The tool has a scaper blade attachment. This will clean all growth, barnacles with ease. It will remove any thing stuck to the trim planes, Thrusters, rudder, prop, swim platform supports and the bottom. Once all the solid materials are removed. Use rubber gloves and muriate acid solution. let it soak for a couple of minutes scrub then rinse with water. The trim plains will look like new!