Sail cleanin' and hull patchin'

[heath18703]

I'm not happy about this, at all. My brand new head sail was dripped on during its winter storage, and where the water apparently evaporated is now a light brown tinged stain, spread across a lot of the sail. Hoping it was just a tough dirt stain I gave it a shot this afternoon with my pressure washer, carefully, but the stain didn't budge. Can anybody help suggest a cleaner I should use for this mystery stain? I'd like to be careful not to use anything that'll do any kind of chemical damage to the material. The stain is only on the white parts, and the sail is brand new, so there shouldn't be any risk of 'making a clean spot.'

Also, I've got a couple very small holes on the front walk surfaces of my fiberglass hull, Hunter 27. Is there a particular brand or type of fiberglass patch that's any better than the others?

Thanks for your help

 

[Ross]

Sounds like iron or tannins in the water. Try oxalic acid on the stains neutralize with borax.
Holes: all of the patching compounds for the purpose are good.

 

[heath18703]

Thanks Ross. I think you're probably right about the stain. I should have mentioned it before, but the water came from a leaky old garage roof whose wood is really old and beginning to break down.

Couple questions...

What cleaning product should I get that contains Oxalic acid? Also, which product should I get to neutralize with that contains Borax?

Also, I'm guessing CLR (calcium, lime, and rust remover) shouldn't be used here?

Thanks ahead

 

[Ross]

You can buy oxalic acid in most hardware stores and Twenty Mule Team borax is sold alongside laundry detergents in the grocery stores. You can get a lifetime supply for ten dollars.