Dan.... ....Thanks for taking some time to answer our questions. My, new to me, 1996 Hunter 376 was not well kept over the past few years. Balancing that, however, it also was not used much. In addition to the Dullness of the white gelcoat, there are some yellowish stains here and there which defy removal. My goal is to have a (nearly new) white boat again. I have tried many cleaners, and have settled on Roll Off as a good general purpose cleaner. I have also tried Super Tuff, but I think that may have generated some of the stains (not sure). Ant thoughts on the stain removal on my way back to a white boat ? Thanks !!!!!! ......... Jeff
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Don Alexander
Y 10
Jeff, Here in the UK we have a substance known as Y 10 Gel. It is a jelly which you just brush on and in about 5 minutes all staining on GRP has gone. Just wash off with water. It contains oxalic acid and it gets rid of rust and oil stains. Maybe it is available your side of the long pond. If not just look for a gel which contains the acid.
Jeff, Here in the UK we have a substance known as Y 10 Gel. It is a jelly which you just brush on and in about 5 minutes all staining on GRP has gone. Just wash off with water. It contains oxalic acid and it gets rid of rust and oil stains. Maybe it is available your side of the long pond. If not just look for a gel which contains the acid.
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Dan Ulrich
Jeff:
Gelcoat is an extremely porus substance despite it's apparent looking hardness. What happens is that waxes and rubbing compounds are absorbed into the surface, oxidize and the result is a stained/brownish look. Poli Prep may or may not remove the problem stains depending on what caused them. You may want to try "DILUTED" muratic acid or it's weaker cousin oxalic acid, in either powder and liquid form available under a zillion brand names at your local Home Depot etc. As a last resort try WET sanding with a 600/800 grit wet sandpaper. If it (the stain) is too deeply embedded in the gelcoat to remove with surface sanding you may have to live with it. Remember the average gelcoat surface as not nuch thicker than several coats of paint, so take care not to sand through to the fiberglass laminate. Good Luck!
Gelcoat is an extremely porus substance despite it's apparent looking hardness. What happens is that waxes and rubbing compounds are absorbed into the surface, oxidize and the result is a stained/brownish look. Poli Prep may or may not remove the problem stains depending on what caused them. You may want to try "DILUTED" muratic acid or it's weaker cousin oxalic acid, in either powder and liquid form available under a zillion brand names at your local Home Depot etc. As a last resort try WET sanding with a 600/800 grit wet sandpaper. If it (the stain) is too deeply embedded in the gelcoat to remove with surface sanding you may have to live with it. Remember the average gelcoat surface as not nuch thicker than several coats of paint, so take care not to sand through to the fiberglass laminate. Good Luck!
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Steve Larson
Try Soft Scrub
I tried a number of things including the poli prep which came in the poli glow kit. I finally raided my wife's supply of soft scrub and it did the trick. Two bottles did the whole boat including the topside. I then coated the boat with 3 coats of poli glow and it looks like a new boat. I used most of the quart to do the hull (31 foot) and then ordered two more quarts. I used most of one to do the topsides and I have a spare to give the hull another coat when I take it out. The boat shines but it is not slippery to walk on and I have had no problems with the application except for bird berry crap which has left a few stains on the topside. I haven't wanted to go back and use the soft scrub on the stains for fear of going thru the poli glow. I'm not far away if you want to come take a look at the finished product. Our boat is in Edgewater Yacht Club and we are there most weekends. Let me know if you are coming and I will give you directions to the boat.
I tried a number of things including the poli prep which came in the poli glow kit. I finally raided my wife's supply of soft scrub and it did the trick. Two bottles did the whole boat including the topside. I then coated the boat with 3 coats of poli glow and it looks like a new boat. I used most of the quart to do the hull (31 foot) and then ordered two more quarts. I used most of one to do the topsides and I have a spare to give the hull another coat when I take it out. The boat shines but it is not slippery to walk on and I have had no problems with the application except for bird berry crap which has left a few stains on the topside. I haven't wanted to go back and use the soft scrub on the stains for fear of going thru the poli glow. I'm not far away if you want to come take a look at the finished product. Our boat is in Edgewater Yacht Club and we are there most weekends. Let me know if you are coming and I will give you directions to the boat.
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Jeff Bacon
Rubbing Compound - Dan, Don, and Steve
Well, it appears that 2 out of three boat owners prefer oxalic acid for cleaning the stains. Thanks for the replies. I did see some gel "stuff" in our ships store recently called FSR (I think). I will check the contents and see if it is oxalic acid. Soft scrub would appear to be a less expensive alternative that I will try first, however, new looking color is more important than cheap....... Thanks again guys. Jeff
Well, it appears that 2 out of three boat owners prefer oxalic acid for cleaning the stains. Thanks for the replies. I did see some gel "stuff" in our ships store recently called FSR (I think). I will check the contents and see if it is oxalic acid. Soft scrub would appear to be a less expensive alternative that I will try first, however, new looking color is more important than cheap....... Thanks again guys. Jeff
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Bob Shultz
Collinite works the Best
Collinite, which is available from West Marine is the best gelcoat cleaner I have used. It will remove black diesel soot to a pristine white hull. It takes off diesel stains when there is a spill fueling. It is truly one of the best cleaners.
Collinite, which is available from West Marine is the best gelcoat cleaner I have used. It will remove black diesel soot to a pristine white hull. It takes off diesel stains when there is a spill fueling. It is truly one of the best cleaners.
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Tom Ehmke
Which Collonite product, Bob?
I've used the paste wax, but never had luck using it as a cleaner. I've got a container of the liquid wax on the boat too, but it doesn't remove diesel exhaust stains. Let me know what you use and how you use it. Thanks, Tom
I've used the paste wax, but never had luck using it as a cleaner. I've got a container of the liquid wax on the boat too, but it doesn't remove diesel exhaust stains. Let me know what you use and how you use it. Thanks, Tom
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Ken Palmer
Fiberglass Ccleaner (Bob)
The Fleetwax is a great wax, not a cleaner. Collinite makes a liquid called Fiberglass Cleaner. They make one type for boats an another type for cars. Of course, the boat cleaner is a bit more expensive, but I have used both with good results. I have used the cleaner and agree that it works quite well. It may take a little elbow grease, but what product doesn't? The wax is nice because you apply it with a damp sponge and wipe off before it dries. The cleaner on the other hand must dry before buffing off. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am now a user of Poli Glow. The hull that I coated for the first time this Spring still shines like new. The Fleetwax would have started to wear off by now. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
The Fleetwax is a great wax, not a cleaner. Collinite makes a liquid called Fiberglass Cleaner. They make one type for boats an another type for cars. Of course, the boat cleaner is a bit more expensive, but I have used both with good results. I have used the cleaner and agree that it works quite well. It may take a little elbow grease, but what product doesn't? The wax is nice because you apply it with a damp sponge and wipe off before it dries. The cleaner on the other hand must dry before buffing off. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am now a user of Poli Glow. The hull that I coated for the first time this Spring still shines like new. The Fleetwax would have started to wear off by now. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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