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Salt Removal for Boats - salt build-up is a continual battle for boat owners and you cannot underestimate the dollar value of damage done over time to your vessel. At boatplace, we would like to hear from you boating enthusiasts who have tried different products and can suggest them for everyone's benefit.
Salt-X Salt Wash
From my experience I have found the simplest and most economical way to maintain my charter boat and outboard, trailer, 4x4 and the rental equipment is to use the Salt-X products which neutralises the corrosive salt then dries to leave a sacrificial non oily wax on the surface between uses which keeps all my plant corrosion free and reliable. Yes, I was sceptical when I was first introduced to Salt-X over 15 years ago, however, I elected to use the product and gauge the results. The outcome was remarkable, not only was there no trace of salt after each application, my maintenance costs dropped and reliability rose because of no salt damage.What did I do to achieve this result? I will start with the outboards as it is always of concern due to the high repair and replacement costs. Using the flush plug below the cowling I used the Salt-X brass siphon mixer which was fitted into the garden hose then to the flush plug. I turned on the water and allowed it to run through, keeping medium water pressure. Then I placed the siphon pickup tube in the Salt-X concentrate solution allowing it the be sucked up into the hose then through the engine cooling galleries. Once all the Salt-X was drawn into the motor I then disconnected the hose and left the Salt-X in the cooling galleries to neutralise the salt. That's it!
At the 300 hour service the leg was dropped off and the galleries were inspected for corrosion and salt build-up. No salt could be found in the galleries or on the thermostats. In fact it was difficult to tell the difference from the new replacement thermostats and the old ones. The top of the gearbox had no corrosion and the marine mechanic showed me the areas that normally corrode and he too was astounded at the absence of salt corrosion damage. In short the outboard was salt-damage free. The trailer was given a quick hose and using an eight litre garden pressure sprayer with a Salt-X mix I sprayed the trailer and brakes to neutralise the salt.
The boat can be rinsed the same way and then coated with Salt-X however after having a boat load of passengers I used the Buster 50 and a soft hair broom to wash down the seats, clears, fiberglass, stainless steel; the whole boat got the treatment and then rinsed off as Buster 50 has a detergent additive in with the Salt-X.
Easy? Yes it is. Effective? Absolutely! Compare the purchase price and repair costs of your boat and toys to the two to three dollars per boat trip to keep your boat pristine. Salt-X is as cheap as chips. The same process can be applied to inboards with raw water and heat exchange systems with the same results. Depending on the configuration of your particular unit a simple modification can deliver Salt-X into the salt cooling system. Fishing equipment is easy. Simply spray down your rod, reel, line and lures with Salt-X allow to dry and store away. If you have corrosion build up on your reel already mix up a bath of Salt-X at twice the normal ratio and soak your reel overnight. Inspect in the morning and if clean let reel dry out completely before storing or using. If you need more time for the corrosion to be removed return to the Salt-X bath until clean.
Salt-X will remove salt from any surface. So for those of you with sailing vessels and motor cruisers it takes no time at all to whip around the boat and spray Salt-X on your metal fittings and fixtures to keep them salt free and reliable. This maintenance program will save you water while you are on extended trips away from port yet allows you to keep the boat's fittings in top condition.
To treat your outboard with Salt-X you need a bottle of Salt-X Concentrate and a Salt-X Brass flushing Unit. Make up a short length of garden hose 30 to 45cm with a female snap fitting on each end, this fits one end to the siphon mixer and the other end to the flush fitting or ear muffs on your outboard. The siphon unit has the necessary fittings included to fit the garden hose couplings. Start the water flow and once the tell tale starts to squirt allow the siphon to deliver the Salt-X to your cooling galleries. Just remember to rinse the siphon unit with fresh water once the job is done, as this stops the build up of Salt-X concentrate in the unit which can stop the siphon unit from working.
A garden pressure sprayer is ideal to deliver Salt-X to your boat trailer or as a method of application on your larger vessels. All that is needed is a quick spray of Salt-X to the salty surface to control the salt build up. For large vessels the Siphon unit can be used through a garden hose to allow you to treat an entire vessel with Salt-X or Buster 50 through your hose and allow you to neutralise the salt build up in very little time at all. One large shipping company reduced the cleaning time from eight hours to two hours on one of their small cruise liners by treating the vessel with Buster 50. The labour saving alone was a huge cost saving to the company. Not to mention the extended life of the boats finish and faster turn around.
I have always believed 'a stitch in time saves nine' and Salt-X certainly fits the bill for marine equipment. If you are proud of your vessel's appearance or conscious of maintenance costs, then Salt-X should be part of your regular corrosion prevention.
You can phone Salt-X for advice on 0419 775 177 as the staff are keen for you to enjoy the benefits from using the product.
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MEDIA RELEASE August 5, 2009 OUTBACK MARINE TACKLES CHALLENGING TIME
Leading marine electrical systems supplier, Outback Marine, this month tackled the economic downturn head on - relocating to company-owned premises in Labrador. Company Director, Gary Pacey said the move not only reduced overheads, but enabled the business to continue to employ its small but highly skilled workforce. Outback Marine purchased the Labrador facility in 1998 but by 2004 the company's manufacturing operations had expanded to the point where additional factory space was required. More on Outback Marine
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