getting black shoe marks off fiberglass..
- Thread starter MitchM
- Start date
Allow me to revise my comment. Acetone can soften gelcoat. You won't be happy when this happens. I know this from personal experience.No it doesn't.
But, hey, go ahead! Not my boat.
Has anyone tried common household cleaners like Fantastic or Formula 409? I'd be concerned about using high-powered non-polar solvents like acetone as my first attempt at cleaning anything. I'm with @jviss that there is a fine line between 'soften' and remove, that I would not like to come near for my decks.
First do no harm so start gently and chemically, not abrasively. Naphtha (or turpentine, mineral spirits) should remove scuff marks like that as they are likely petroleum-based stains. If that fails, go abrasive with polishing compound, then if NG, rubbing compound. All of these suggestions remove wax, so apply another coat to those areas. Fiberglas (gel coat) can be porous and really take a stain deep. I keep a bottle of Clorox Clean-up, a weak bleach solution, for the deep "nasties".
First of all..... using acetone on the gel coat is perfectly safe... you dab some on a rag and wipe off the marks, then rinse with fresh water. The acetone actually evaporates pretty quickly also.
What you don't do is spray heavy amounts of acetone directly on the gel coat surface. Always on the rag first, then clean of the mark, then rinse. Remember that you're spot cleaning.
I don't wax non skid areas. Why would you do that? Reference to topsides/deck was because we recently had a comment about dock bumper marks on the side of the boat. Same type of culprit as shoe scuffs.
What you don't do is spray heavy amounts of acetone directly on the gel coat surface. Always on the rag first, then clean of the mark, then rinse. Remember that you're spot cleaning.
I don't wax non skid areas. Why would you do that? Reference to topsides/deck was because we recently had a comment about dock bumper marks on the side of the boat. Same type of culprit as shoe scuffs.
Last edited:
To provide protection to the gelcoat, mostly UV protection, to protect from oxidizing, fading, and so on. Even though it's 'rough,' it's still gelcoat.
But if it’s where people walk it should NOT be a highly polished surface! I’m a fan of magic eraser used gently!
Even worse than sole marks is fake tan lotion that shows up on everything “she “ Sat on that the back of her legs contacted. It took us a while to figure out what that terrible orange stain was!! How do we kindly request all recent spray tans be covered in clothing before boarding !!
Many of our charter guests use sunscreen and it discolors the gel coat and the white cockpit cushions badly. It's not like you can ask them not to use the stuff, but it really makes a mess on the boat. I can't see any solution, and though others may not notice the stains too much, it just glares out at us.
2+ for Mister Clean Magic Eraser. Just know it's abrasive so use it sparingly. It works great for this purpose.
Ken