Stained gelcoat

[JHoward]

My 1980 Hunter Cherubini 37C has a good condition hull, except for the transom which is stained from old vinyl graphics, (which I heat-gunned off) and also, pitting from what appears to be mold.
How to best remedy this twofold condition?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Use, most likely in this order:

Lysol mold remover

FSR (gel) or On & Off (gel, NOT the liquid which is plain nasty!!!)

Then follow these instructions:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

You can do that area by hand, no need for power tools for that small area.

Good luck.

 

[Jim Legere]

Maine Sail, who posts here and on SailNet, is da boss when it comes to maintenance advice. Here is what he posted about issues like yours on 'that other forum'. All good advice, and I follow it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

same information/link, different forums

 

[braol]

De-wax, clean it as best you can, and then go at it lightly with a 4000-grit wet sandpaper. Then rewax. Any pitting is a different problem that would require fairing and a repaint. I'm sure that if you clean it real good and wet sand that the small imperfections will only be noticed by you.

 

[SerenityTC]

I had this same problem and I followed the suggestions already posted to follow MaineSail's buffing/polishing technique. I will add that after I removed the vinyl that I used 'Goo Gone' with a razor blade to get rid of the sticky residue. I then wet-sanded with 600, 800 and 1000 grit paper before buffing. I can still see a very faint outline of the old letters, which most people say will take lots of UV rays and time to completely fade. The new letters will cover a lot of it so I am cool with it. I have posted a 'before' and a 'halfway done' photo. I don't have an 'after' photo handy but I ended up removing the ladder and buffing twice with Presta gelcoat compound and once with Presta Cutting Creme. Removing the ladder made a big difference as I didn't have to navigate around the area where the ladder was mounted. I will upload some more photos when the new vinyl letters are installed. Hope this helps!

 

[braol]

GooGone is fine, but I have to tell you that Interlux dewaxing fluid (called "Fiberglass Prep #202) just makes any adhesive residue just melt away like magic. It is a little pricey but you sometimes get what you pay for. Just make sure to wipe lots with the clean part of a rag with each pass because it really takes the wax off. Any remaining wax will gum up you r sandpaper and drive wax deep into your paint.

 

[SerenityTC]

I would have gladly tried that product! I just used what I had on hand and made the best of it. The Goo Gone worked but I kept thinking to myself, "there's got to be an easier way!". Thanks for the tip!

GooGone is fine, but I have to tell you that Interlux dewaxing fluid (called "Fiberglass Prep #202) just makes any adhesive residue just melt away like magic. It is a little pricey but you sometimes get what you pay for. Just make sure to wipe lots with the clean part of a rag with each pass because it really takes the wax off. Any remaining wax will gum up you r sandpaper and drive wax deep into your paint.

 

[JHoward]

The Interlux 202 was the winner. Cleaned off 90+% of the glue residue and the mold stains @ 99%. Used a brass - steel wool pad and not too much scrubbing to erase 20 years of neglect. Thanks to all who pitched in.