CLEANERS

[twodzusfittings]

I have some really bad staining where I spilt Teak Oil on my cockpit walls and Lazarette lids. I have scrubbed with boat soap and water, I've tried acetone and Murphy's Oil soap. It's just not coming away. I found a product called FSR which I was told may work. Has anyone used it with success? Or if you have a product you may suggest. I have a buffer tool and I have no problem working it with my hands. Not looking for the easy way out, want something that genuinely works. Thanks in advance.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've read that dawn works well but havent tried it. Following this thread to see what the experts say

 

[JoeWhite]

Not an expert, but I would try Comet or Barkeepers Friend. Needs to be lightly abrasive

 

[dlochner]

Fiberglass Stain remover works well on a lot of stains. It won't hurt the fiberglass. BarKeepers Friend is also a good option because it contains oxalic acid and the grit is finer than other abrasive cleaners.

 

[jssailem]

I like Bar Keepers Friend. Available at Amazon and many hardware stores. It is lightly abrasive and an acidic in powder form. I’ve used in on fiberglass and Formica to get out organic stains. Sometimes it works miracles.
I understand that a Mr Clean pad also might work. It will leave micro scratches that will dull the surface.
Always test these products in an inconspicuous place or scrap before diving in.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I wouldn't use the magic erasers on anything that shines. My last boat was a 78 and we didn't clean without it. We try to avoid using it on our 94 though

 

[Oddvark]

Just last night I was reading about something like this. This guy recommended ZEP Heavy Duty Floor Stripper followed by an acrylic sealer ZEP Wet Look Floor Polish. He also recommends, as others have noted, barkeepers friend. He found that these appeared to be the exact same ingredients in way more expensive "boat" cleaners and had the same results.

New Life For Old GelCoat – An Inexpensive Solution That Really Works!

One of the long overdue projects we completed on our boat, Quantum Leap, this past summer of 2014 was restoration of the Gelcoat on the topsides (the deck areas). This post talks about how we did i…

myquantumdiscovery.com

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Just last night I was reading about something like this. This guy recommended ZEP Heavy Duty Floor Stripper followed by an acrylic sealer ZEP Wet Look Floor Polish. He also recommends, as others have noted, barkeepers friend. He found that these appeared to be the exact same ingredients in way more expensive "boat" cleaners and had the same results.

New Life For Old GelCoat – An Inexpensive Solution That Really Works!

One of the long overdue projects we completed on our boat, Quantum Leap, this past summer of 2014 was restoration of the Gelcoat on the topsides (the deck areas). This post talks about how we did i…

myquantumdiscovery.com

Thanks for the tip on the Zep/Polyglow. I'm curious how it holds up to UV verses the Polyglow. I know of one person that used Polyglow and he hasn't redone any of it in 5-6 years if I remember correctly.

A good way to determine similarities between products is to take a look at the ingredients on the SDS sheets. We have a few chemists on the board that may be able to help if needed

 

[dmax]

The creator of PoliGlow took floor wax and added UV protection - I doubt that ZEP floor wax has UV protection as why would they.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Some sites say acrylic is UV transparent while others say it blocks UV. Perhaps some experts can weigh in?

 

[Oddvark]

The creator of PoliGlow took floor wax and added UV protection

And would happen to know what that chemical would be, the percentage needed to be added and where to get it?

 

[CrispyCringle]

I wouldn't get too aggressive with it. Gel Coat is somewhat porous. Thats what makes it hard to immediately remove. I would try using whatever brush cleaner is recommended for the Teak Oil. That should get a lot and dilute the remaining. I would expect over time it will evaporate. Lots of warm sun will help.

 

[dmax]

And would happen to know what that chemical would be, the percentage needed to be added and where to get it?

Likely a trade secret.