Keeping Drive Clean?

[Interceptor]

Alright, I look at everyone's boat pictures and I don't see the chalky build-up chit on anybody's drive units. This is a real pain in the A to keep clean. What are the tricks, techniques, etc that you use to keep the black, black?

And yes, I have a drive shower.

[cajun]

I wipe mine down with white vinegar, it will remove the water stains then just keep a good wax on it.

[Caincando1]

You shouldn't be getting a chalky build up with a shower. What kind of shower is it?

[cabin fever]

Its probably calcium, or lime build up. I use CLR, Lime Way, or any other equivalent (sp?). It makes the drive look brand new, and doesn't harm the paint.
-Shane

[Saleen367]

I've noticed that my buildup is much worse with my new 30 than with the 25 I had.
I attribute it to increased speeds with twins even though we run the same RPM cruising. Doesn't make sense, but thats all I got. [smilie=042.gif]

Yesterday I did finally get my drive showers put on though. Should help a bit. :mrgreen:

I was told by a dealer that they use Sno bowl toliet cleaner to remove the dried algae buildup on the drives. Works great, but it seems rather harsh to me. I hate using anything that will harm the finish. :shock: :roll:

[Saleen367]

Its probably calcium, or lime build up. I use CLR, Lime Way, or any other equivalent (sp?). It makes the drive look brand new, and doesn't harm the paint.
-Shane

How long do you have to leave it on?

[Caincando1]

I've noticed that my buildup is much worse with my new 30 than with the 25 I had.
I attribute it to increased speeds with twins even though we run the same RPM cruising. Doesn't make sense, but thats all I got. [smilie=042.gif]

Yesterday I did finally get my drive showers put on though. Should help a bit. :mrgreen:

I was told by a dealer that they use Sno bowl toliet cleaner to remove the dried algae buildup on the drives. Works great, but it seems rather harsh to me. I hate using anything that will harm the finish. :shock: :roll:

Mix the Sno Bowl 4(water) to 1 with water. The drive shower should take care of it though.

[cabin fever]

How long do you have to leave it on?


I usually wash the boat with regular marine soap first. Then while the drive is still wet I spray on the lime away. I usually work it in (or scrub it) with a towel, hand , or just about anything. let it sit for a couple minutes, and then rinse it off.

[Saleen367]

I noticed when cleaning, that Windex with Vinegar will take it off with some elbow grease. But what a PITA.

And unfortunately the drive showers did little to help the problem.

Oh well ... gives me something to do. [smilie=071.gif]

[fountainhead]

Spray it down with corrosion X. Looks like a work of art when you are done I even do the motors.

[Interceptor]

So, if I have this right, spraying some heavy duty chemicals won't harm the finish.

Next week will be test time.

Thanks for the help!!!!!

[caravelle260]

CLR or Soft Scrub --> kitchen / bathroom cleaners make it an easy job; combined with a drive shower. The drive shower keeps the drive cooler; thus, the impurities do not "bake" on the drive and make it a lot easier to clean. [smilie=1074.gif] [smilie=1074.gif] [smilie=1074.gif]

[eddie]

ZING it clean! Do it in the street away from all pets it's nasty and comes clean with no effort [smilie=050.gif]

[mnoutlaw]

I use too use Zing but after getting drive shower that wrap over the top of the drive and draw from both sides of the drive I no longer need it. Thanks Bustag for the source.

The chalky build up on the drive is from your drives getting hot enought to basiclly steam the water off of them leaving only the minerals behind. Heat kills drives, trust me, we've bought a few.

[Saleen367]

My drive showers didn't help much at all with the buildup. :roll:

[Interceptor]

My drive showers didn't help much at all with the buildup. :roll:

What I've seen is running for lengths over 15 minutes on plane I'll get build-up. Even with a drive shower. Although it isn't a high build-up that I've seen on others, I just hate the look and the time it takes to clean.

[caravelle260]

The drive shower keeps mine spotless except for the very top; all that takes is a couple sprays of CLR and a bristle brush. I do not know which drive shower everyone has, but I am using the SIMREK and love it! [smilie=061.gif]

[catmando]

My drive showers didn't help much at all with the buildup. :roll:
They may be stopped up, or not putting the water where it should go. Have someone in another boat eyeball it.

[DoubleBlended]

I use too use Zing but after getting drive shower that wrap over the top of the drive and draw from both sides of the drive I no longer need it. Thanks Bustag for the source.

The chalky build up on the drive is from your drives getting hot enought to basiclly steam the water off of them leaving only the minerals behind. Heat kills drives, trust me, we've bought a few.

I have to agree with you mnoutlaw i bought my bustag $60.00 drive showers from ebay about half way throught the year and they stayed totally clean after that. sometimes simple is sweet!!!

[Bajapit]

I has a lot to do with how much of the drive is out of the h20 while at running speed.
Ive used the pre mixed sno bowl for 20 years and It has never damaged anything also good for exhaust tips.
PIT

[87vette]

I've used limeaway to remove the hard water. Then a water rinse, dry and wax. The drive shower now prevents any build up of mineral deposits. I just wipe it down after we get off the lake. Everyone I've talked to has had good luck with the showers keeping the drives clean. This is the first I've heard some negative comments.

[BrettM]

I sell a product called Outdrive cleaner, made by Nautical Ease out of California. It sells for about $12. You can find it at several dealers. It is great, we use it on all trade ins and our personal boats. Also if you do not have a drive shower that will haelp also.

[xsnrg]

Just purchased some of the nautical ease outdrive cleaner. I'm very impressed... just mist it on and rinse it off. Very nice product. [smilie=appl]

[DoubleBlended]

don't pee off the back of your boats!!!

[baywatch]

Where can this Nautical Ease product be purchased? Anywhere in the St. louis area or at LOTO? I tried the CLR and I also tried some crazy product that I got at West Marine that just about burnt my sinuses out of my head and still didn't get much luck. How long are you leaving the products on the surface? My technique was to let sit and rinse prior to the product drying on the surface.

[caravelle260]

CLR in the yellow spray bottle...I think the bathroom cleaner concentrate.

I spray it on and use a small scrub brush...looks like new with little effort scrubbing AND it is not harse on surface or nostrils [smilie=042.gif]

[fgsacts]

I used Finazzle grout cleaner and it worked awesome. Can be purchased at finazzle dot com or maybe can be found at a retailer. I just happened to have some at home and decided to try it. Literally spray on and wipe off.

[mosi]

Sno Bowl or the Works...........
.
.
.....a Buck at the dollar store.... wipe or spray it on a few seconds later hose it off.......


Been using it for years and have never had a problem with any finishes.

They are also great for water stains on the bottom of the boat......Just wipe on.....wait a minute or two....then hose it off.You can watch it take the stains out. No scrubbing and it does not eat away at the finish!!!

[capt. nemo]

Bought Imco drive showers 2 years and not one white spot ever again, took back the cheap one I bought first

[27Islander]

Where does one purchase a drive shower at the LOTO? or do you have to purchase them online. Woule like to get one for my Brovo 3.

[capt. nemo]

27Islander, check this out, it's one of many...now they have dual pick-ups. I like the single because I can keep it on the counterrotating side not to pick up any air in the prop Try Rexmar and search drive shower,get the "COOL" one, not the standard one

They're easy to put on, take off the bolts that hold down the drive cap, put on the 1/2 in.tall washers, put the new chrome cap on and install the new longer bolts, hook up the flex hose to the drive plate with a hole through it and bolt on the pick up vent on the bottom of the plate DONE!

[BigDaddy]

Where does one purchase a drive shower at the LOTO? or do you have to purchase them online. Woule like to get one for my Brovo 3.

go here at LOTO. One of our site sponsors

http://innovativemarine.net/25.html

[27Islander]

Ok, thanks for the information. They look like they are easy to install too. Thanks again.

[capt. nemo]

Thanks Big Daddy,.... 27, those are the exact ones I put on my drives and they work great, I'll run for 1-2 hours @ 50 mph and no white messy build-up

[27Islander]

Gotta love the no white messy build up on the units :) and the simple clean ups.

[MAKESMEHAPPY]

Sorry just can't let that go, he said "white messy build up on the units":mrgreen:

[27Islander]

Well i went and ordered one of the hydro cool 2 outdrive shower from Innovative marine. Will have it installed during first trip in June. Thanks so much for the assistance.

[mosi]

Sorry just can't let that go, he said "white messy build up on the units":mrgreen:



Good eye, Young Grasshopper!!!!;)

[MAKESMEHAPPY]

Good eye, Young Grasshopper!!!!;)


Thank you my Master[smilie=bow.gif] [smilie=bow.gif]

[Brandon]

ZING it clean! Do it in the street away from all pets it's nasty and comes clean with no effort [smilie=050.gif]
I used to use Zing all the time but found out that toilet bowl cleaner works just the same and sometimes better. The TB cleaner is also alot easier as far as brething in the fumes for some reason.

[twanger]

Well i went and ordered one of the hydro cool 2 outdrive shower from Innovative marine. Will have it installed during first trip in June. Thanks so much for the assistance.

27 you cant go wrong with the hydro cool. Rich does an excellent job.

[27Islander]

Had the drive shower installed and love it. I did not think anything like that would work, but it does. thanks to Rich and Hydro cool.

[lotoluvr]

I've have the Hydro Cools on my boat for a couple years also, great product!!!!