Help - how to remove tarp marks

gpd955 · Mar 30, 2013

Acetone? How big of an area?

sailaway78 · Mar 30, 2013

Acetone

I agree with acetone. It will remove almost anything.

Benny17441 · Mar 30, 2013

Light wet sand is the sure measure with the added benefit of cleaning and removing oxidation from the gelcoat.

Manureva · Mar 30, 2013

googone

centerline · Mar 30, 2013

for the tough stains on my boat that nothing else will remove, easy off oven cleaner has never failed me.... it also works super well, with a scrub brush for removing the oxidization on the non skid surfaces (its amazing how much brighter it is under that old layer).... and has never hurt the gelcoat in the 20+ years ive been using it.... it also removes dried on adhesive that goof off or goo gone wont touch....

Joe · Mar 30, 2013

Acetone will remove anything that is petroleum or rubber based.....such as shoe scuff marks, dock bumper streaks (you know you've done that, heh heh) etc. I'd try that before I messed with oven cleaner.

Things organic....like the brown or black algae, use something acid based, such as simple toilet bowl cleaner.

onecoolair · Mar 31, 2013

Joe said:
Acetone will remove anything that is petroleum or rubber based.....such as shoe scuff marks, dock bumper streaks (you know you've done that, heh heh) etc. I'd try that before I messed with oven cleaner.

Things organic....like the brown or black algae, use something acid based, such as simple toilet bowl cleaner.

What ever you use to remove mark or stain just remember to put the wax back on.

wflowe2 · Mar 31, 2013

Magic Erasers, but rewax after.

Richard Bryer · Mar 31, 2013

My vote would be for Collinite cleaner.

rgranger · Mar 31, 2013

centerline said:
... easy off oven cleaner has never failed me.... ...

easy off is a strong base that (when heated in the oven) soponifactes the oils and grease (tuns them into soap) that have dripped into the oven. Then it burns up and the residue can be wiped up.

If that works, it is very possible that simply a damp rag soaked in bleach and left to sit on the stain might do the trick. Just a thought.

Allan12210 · Mar 31, 2013

rgranger said:
soponifactes quote]

I'm calling the IUPAC on this one. Thought it was saponify.

Totally awesome from the dollar store seems to lift a lot of stuff from the gel coat.

rgranger · Mar 31, 2013

Ha...

right you are.... damn spell check.:cussing:

Ken Cross · Mar 31, 2013

I'd try a good marine wax. If that doesn't work try rubbing compound then re wax. Acieone can leave the surface ugly. It's my last resort.

Captn TJ · Mar 31, 2013

Also don't want to use acetone on painted surfaces - it'll take the paint off.

captcoho · Mar 31, 2013

3 M sharp-shooter
follow with 3M Imperial

Allan12210 · Mar 31, 2013

If acetone doesn't work it often leads to my second choice for contamination removal.....fire.

Joe · Apr 1, 2013

Ken Cross said:
I'd try a good marine wax. If that doesn't work try rubbing compound then re wax. Acieone can leave the surface ugly. It's my last resort.

that's just not true....... acetone evaporates quickly and will do NO damage to gelcoat or fiberglass if used in moderation and rinsed with fresh water. It will remove the wax.... but that is easily replaced. Taking a little wax off your boat is not the end of the world.... it erodes naturally anyhow.... btw if the wax was so important, why didn't it make the marks easier to remove?..... rubbing compound is far more damaging and abrasive to gel coat than a little acetone...

AXEL · Apr 1, 2013

As a precaution for next year; I also use a blue tarp to cover my boat (C30) every winter. Prior to putting the tarp on I hang a bunch of old sheets (as in bed sheets) around the hull. It looks like I'm hanging my laundry. I tie a line around the boat and hang the sheets to it. I protects the hull from tarp scuffs 100 %.