Gelcoat stain

[Quoddy]

How do I remove stains from gelcoat?
I was removing Horizon ablative paint near the waterline using sodium hydroxide type remover. Some of the loosened remover and paint mix smeared above the waterline. Now I have a green stained gelcoat.

 

[Bill Roosa]

acitone

nm

 

[caguy]

Try bleaching it out with Clorox. Do not dilute, wear eye protection, gloves and an old shirt. It will take a few minutes to react. Then rinse.

 

[Gail R]

Have you tried FSR, that gel stuff with oxalic acid in it? Seeing as how it's paint, you might need to compound it out.

 

[RichH]

Quoddy -
suggest you - Soak the stain with the SAME hydroxide cleaner that you used previously. To enhance the 'extraction' you might consider to put a covering of plastic film (saran, etc.) over the cleaner, to enhance and prolong the soak time.
For any 'shadows' remaining attempt a bleaching with oxalic and/or bleach and/or an acid based toilet bowl cleaner.

For remnants/shadows still remaining .... begin with 1000 grit wet and dry sandpaper and go progressively 'up' to 2000 grit or if needed 'down' to 600 grit. End with 1500- 2000 grit then compound (3M Finese-it™ ---> 3M Perfect-it™) Dont be afraid to 'hog down' into the gel with the wet-sanding as most production boats have plenty of gel thickness for a 'few' heavy wet sandings .... but do STOP sanding/buffing if you begin to see the underlayment/matting layer beginning to show through.

 

[FourPoints]

If you haven't already tried just using acetone and a rag, try that... next try on and off, it's available at west marine.

as a final option, you can always try some 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper, you'll have to compound and polish again after that though.

 

[Quoddy]

Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions. I did try acetone, which has worked in the past on things, but no luck on this. I will keep trying as suggested.