I have developed hundreds (well I didn't actually count them, but a significant amount) of small rusts spots on the gel coat of my H410. They are all above the water line. There are none on the top sides. I consulted my local fiberglass expert and he had no ideas. Suggested that I may have had the boat under a fireworks display, which didn't occur. The spots are about the size of the tip of a ball point pen. 1. Anyone have any idea what is causing them. & 2. Any suggestions on what to do about them? Any help is appreciated Bryce H410 S/V Spellbinder
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Iron Keel
We had a situation in our marina where a person ground on his iron keel while the boats were on the cradles and iron paricles got on the adjacent boats. The guys insurance company wound up paying to fix the problem. Dan Serendipity Too
We had a situation in our marina where a person ground on his iron keel while the boats were on the cradles and iron paricles got on the adjacent boats. The guys insurance company wound up paying to fix the problem. Dan Serendipity Too
oxalic acid?
you might try oxalic acid, which is available in larger chandleries, but try it on a small patch first. FSR (short for Fiberglass Stain Remover), a commercial preparation, contains oxalic acid in a gel base. I use it to take the yellow "mustache" off my bow. miracle stuff. many dealers use oxalic acid, in the powder form, to prep the decks before delivery. i had some friends who had a similar problem on their boat, which came from using steel wool. a non-stainless wire brush can also lead to numerous tiny rust spots. ouch.
you might try oxalic acid, which is available in larger chandleries, but try it on a small patch first. FSR (short for Fiberglass Stain Remover), a commercial preparation, contains oxalic acid in a gel base. I use it to take the yellow "mustache" off my bow. miracle stuff. many dealers use oxalic acid, in the powder form, to prep the decks before delivery. i had some friends who had a similar problem on their boat, which came from using steel wool. a non-stainless wire brush can also lead to numerous tiny rust spots. ouch.
oxalic acid is good
Hull cleaner is usually oxalic acid or another weak organic acid, and won't hurt the gelcoat at all while disolving the rust. Also muriatic acid (swimming pool stores have it), a lot stronger, is OK on gelcoat. The only problem is getting the chemicals to stay on the vertical surfaces long enough tot work, so the gel product mentioned before is another good idea. I cant imagine how this would happen unless it was similar the the boat described in another reply which was next to one having an iron keel ground, and even so, it's hard to imagine the sparks having enough heat and velocity to penetrate the surface unless they were very close to each other. Hmmm... wonder if somethink happened at the factory. I'd give Hunter a call and speak to one of their great customer support guys. I bet they could be interested in having someone look at the boat!
Hull cleaner is usually oxalic acid or another weak organic acid, and won't hurt the gelcoat at all while disolving the rust. Also muriatic acid (swimming pool stores have it), a lot stronger, is OK on gelcoat. The only problem is getting the chemicals to stay on the vertical surfaces long enough tot work, so the gel product mentioned before is another good idea. I cant imagine how this would happen unless it was similar the the boat described in another reply which was next to one having an iron keel ground, and even so, it's hard to imagine the sparks having enough heat and velocity to penetrate the surface unless they were very close to each other. Hmmm... wonder if somethink happened at the factory. I'd give Hunter a call and speak to one of their great customer support guys. I bet they could be interested in having someone look at the boat!
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