Best way to clean the outdrive

midweste

Hey everyone,

What are the best methods to clean a Merc outdrive? I see used boats for sale that have outdrives that look brand new.
What's the secret sauce? What do you use?

Thanks for your replies

Black_Diamond

I use The Works toilet bowl cleaner.

midweste

Thanks guys

Dream_Inn

Yep, I agree with Al.  Then keep it on a lift.  I wax mine yearly and spray paint the skeg (because I tend to brush it in some sand sometimes).

Glassguy54

My outdrive had built up deposits that made the unit look pretty crusty. I use a product called SR5 from Ritec/Clearshield (I am a Clearshield applicator-its used primarily on shower enclosures). The SR5 can be applied to glass to remove scale build up from inorganic contaminants before applying Clearshield. I figured, why not try it on my outdrive? It worked beautifully! Drive looks like new. I used a small mist type sprayer to apply SR5 then used several different stiff brushes to get into all the nooks and broad areas, then hosed off with fresh water. Check local glass companies to see if any are Clearshield dealers. They should have SR5, or for really difficult deposits, there is also SR10.

BoatAway

acid on a rag (gloves!) works great on the drive and prop... hardware store, cleaning supplies isle...

midweste

thanks guys! Lots of good info

Shaun

Spray on a product called Slimy Grimy and power wash it off. Then hand wash it with a Wash & Wax car cleaner.Then apply wax and buff. Outdrive looks brand new again.

bat32

Used to be snob of was what to use many years ago. Now Works dies the trick. Same thing. If you read the Ingredients toilet bowl cleaner has acid in it. Just be careful like Al said and like posted wear gloves.

diverdan50

How can I get in to all the nooks and crannies of my Volvo Penta DuoProp outdrive to clean off the barnacles, especially the worm type!  Almost impossible to get in the small spaces.

wm61356

I spray my drives liberally with CLR cleaner, scrub with a brush, and rinse with water. Takes off every thing except the paint and decals...even mineral deposits from the lake water. Then I apply a coat or two of marine wax.