How to Remove Barnacles

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

If you're the owner of a boat, it's very likely that you've encountered the problem of barnacles adhering to the hull of your ship. While many mariners choose to leave the creatures where they are, barnacles can actually create considerable drag for your boat, slowing you down and costing you in fuel. Read the following article to learn how to remove barnacles safely and effectively from your boat.

Steps

1
Remove your boat from the water. Barnacles can only be removed when the boat is still moored if you have the proper diving equipment.
2
Use a handheld, stainless steel scrubber to scrub gently until all barnacles are removed and all you see is the ship's hull.

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3
Remove larger barnacles with a plastic putty knife.^{[1]
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- Start with a plastic knife so there is less chance of gouging or scraping the hull of your boat. If it is ineffective against the barnacles, move up to a metal knife with dull edges.
4
Remove remaining barnacles with a stainless steel scrubber.
5
Purchase a pressure washer to remove large colonies of barnacles.^{[2]
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Research source} Allow your boat several weeks to dry, if possible, before pressure washing.
6
Spray parallel to the boat hull rather than directly at the barnacles. You want to get underneath the edge of each barnacle. Focus on small patches until you've pressure washed the entirety of the boat.^{[3]
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- This pressure washing process will likely remove some of the paint on your boat. You should be prepared, therefore, to repaint after a thorough pressure washing.
7
Apply a small amount of hydrochloric acid to any barnacle remnants after pressure washing. After applying, scrape off remaining barnacle plates with your plastic or dull-edged metal knife.
8
Apply a lime remover after applying the acid.
9
Wash the boat's hull thoroughly.^{[4]
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10
Apply a product designed to make the hull of your boat slick. This will make cleaning barnacles off your boat that much easier in the future.
11
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Will freshwater kill barnacles?

Community Answer

No, it will not.
Question

How large can barnacles grow?

Community Answer

Some can grow as large as seven centimeters or more.
Question

Can I use oxalic acid to clean barnacle spots on a fiberglass boat?

Community Answer

According my experience, oxalic acid works only for algae and microscopic organisms, not for barnacles.

Warnings

Wear protective eyewear whenever you're pressure washing. Barnacles dislodged by the pressure washer can fly unpredictably and with great force.

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Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves when removing barnacles. The shells can be sharp and some of the chemicals used to get barnacles off can be caustic. You want to protect your hands from these potential dangers.

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