Whenever my crew wears suntan lotion, it turns the Gelcoat Orange wherever the suntan lotion has contacted the gelcoat surface. It does not appear to be a particular brand of lotion that causes the stains. Has anyone else experienced this same problem and how have you cleaned the orange stains off? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
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I had it
Same problem and used Liquid Softscrub with Bleach to remove it. Switched to Banana Republic (?) brand which doesn't stain. Also now use Woody wax on the deck and cockpit and this stops the porous gelcoat from absorbing stains. I freaked when this happened, orange everywhere!
Same problem and used Liquid Softscrub with Bleach to remove it. Switched to Banana Republic (?) brand which doesn't stain. Also now use Woody wax on the deck and cockpit and this stops the porous gelcoat from absorbing stains. I freaked when this happened, orange everywhere!
Coconuts also
Husking coconuts is also a real bad idea. I did this on a swim platform and I had orange/brown stains all over the place.
Husking coconuts is also a real bad idea. I did this on a swim platform and I had orange/brown stains all over the place.
Unfamiliar with the Woody Wax
but I will look into it. I had 4 crew wearing lotion yesterday, orange,orange everywhere. I just rinsed down the boat not wanting to keep my guests prisioner while I tried to clean the stains. I hope that they will not set-up during the week and be diffiult to remove. It sounds like COCONUT must be the ingredient. If you could remember the exact brand you use I will be glad to provide my crew with free sun protection!
but I will look into it. I had 4 crew wearing lotion yesterday, orange,orange everywhere. I just rinsed down the boat not wanting to keep my guests prisioner while I tried to clean the stains. I hope that they will not set-up during the week and be diffiult to remove. It sounds like COCONUT must be the ingredient. If you could remember the exact brand you use I will be glad to provide my crew with free sun protection!
Banana Boat
It's Banana Boat brand. HUGE TIP!!! Do not use any of the new "continuous spray" bottles (Banana Boat, Coppertone, Etc.) This type comes out of the bottle like hairspray-the mist gets all over the deck and makes it very slippery!! Use the good old fashioned rub in cream.
It's Banana Boat brand. HUGE TIP!!! Do not use any of the new "continuous spray" bottles (Banana Boat, Coppertone, Etc.) This type comes out of the bottle like hairspray-the mist gets all over the deck and makes it very slippery!! Use the good old fashioned rub in cream.
Suntan lotion and bug dope will also ruin...
Port lights that are made of non glass material, the anti-glare coatings on most all GPS plotter screens and the windows of your dodger. We only allow non-spray white Neutrogena on our boat and all guests must wash their hands with soap after applying sunscreen so they don't touch windows depth, sounder screens etc. and ruin them... The post below is right on the money about not using spray's on boats. Unless you want to damage the above mentioned items go ahead and use it.. Bug dope will also destroy Gore-Tex so don't apply Ben's or Off and then put on a waterproof breathable jacket it could be a costly mistake! I had a brand new $350.00 Marmot jacket ruined after I applied bug dope and it then started raining... I don't worry about getting it on gel coat because it's so easy to clean and very resilient. I use denatured alcohol as my gel coat cleaner of choice but also a product called 3M Sharp Shooter. You can only buy Sharpshooter on line as far as I know...
Port lights that are made of non glass material, the anti-glare coatings on most all GPS plotter screens and the windows of your dodger. We only allow non-spray white Neutrogena on our boat and all guests must wash their hands with soap after applying sunscreen so they don't touch windows depth, sounder screens etc. and ruin them... The post below is right on the money about not using spray's on boats. Unless you want to damage the above mentioned items go ahead and use it.. Bug dope will also destroy Gore-Tex so don't apply Ben's or Off and then put on a waterproof breathable jacket it could be a costly mistake! I had a brand new $350.00 Marmot jacket ruined after I applied bug dope and it then started raining... I don't worry about getting it on gel coat because it's so easy to clean and very resilient. I use denatured alcohol as my gel coat cleaner of choice but also a product called 3M Sharp Shooter. You can only buy Sharpshooter on line as far as I know...
Lotion Caution
The first time that I chartered in the BVI (1988) on a crewed boat, the skipper & mate advised us that any sun lotion which was "orange" in color would stain the gelcoat and that they would not allow us to use it. We didn't have any, but never experimented, either. Stick with "white, run-on" and you should be OK.
The first time that I chartered in the BVI (1988) on a crewed boat, the skipper & mate advised us that any sun lotion which was "orange" in color would stain the gelcoat and that they would not allow us to use it. We didn't have any, but never experimented, either. Stick with "white, run-on" and you should be OK.
Oxalic Acid
The 'orange' comes from ferrous oxide in the lotion. Ferrous oxide is a strong shield versus UV. Its what makes Cetol and other coatings a god-awful color. Remedy for gelcoat: First wash/soak the gelcoat in a strong caustic detergent, rinse, then wash the gelcoat with oxalic acid / wood bleach to 'bleach out' the ferrous oxide (and any brown tannin stains). Why the suntan oil doesnt easily remove from the gelcoat is that it has become porous due to maintenance neglect; routine waxing will fill the pores of the gelcoat and prevent penetration (but you're going to have to restore the gelcoat by 'powerbuffing to remove the oxidized / porous surface layer. Routine waxing will also prevent the 'pores' from becoming a pathway for oxidation of the gel.
The 'orange' comes from ferrous oxide in the lotion. Ferrous oxide is a strong shield versus UV. Its what makes Cetol and other coatings a god-awful color. Remedy for gelcoat: First wash/soak the gelcoat in a strong caustic detergent, rinse, then wash the gelcoat with oxalic acid / wood bleach to 'bleach out' the ferrous oxide (and any brown tannin stains). Why the suntan oil doesnt easily remove from the gelcoat is that it has become porous due to maintenance neglect; routine waxing will fill the pores of the gelcoat and prevent penetration (but you're going to have to restore the gelcoat by 'powerbuffing to remove the oxidized / porous surface layer. Routine waxing will also prevent the 'pores' from becoming a pathway for oxidation of the gel.
The boat is C27 1985
and the gelcoat looks great for it's age, I just never had the suntan lotion problem until this season, sort of perplexing to me. Thanks for all your input, I guess if I don't have tennis elbow, I will have it before this is all said and done.
and the gelcoat looks great for it's age, I just never had the suntan lotion problem until this season, sort of perplexing to me. Thanks for all your input, I guess if I don't have tennis elbow, I will have it before this is all said and done.
Power buffing - no way!
Bill, I believe that the power buffing is optional. Taking a buffing compound to the cockpit, deck, cabin top etc will be a very labor intensive job and impossible in any surfaces that are not smooth, such as the seats, all non skid areas, etc. Your boat is over 20 years old and the gel coat may not be all that thick. My Catalina 22 is a 1986. Personally I use PoliGlo on the Hull and Woody Wax on the deck and cockpit. Others swear by Aurora wax on the deck. All are easy to use, do what they are intended to do, and don't require power compounding. I will put my PoliGlo hull up against any compounded hull for looks and it is way easier to maintain. I have a power buffer and have done the whole 3M compounding thing. I believe that was the right solution 10 years ago but no longer. Science has now given us products that let us spend our time sailing, not doing manual labor. My 2 cents.
Bill, I believe that the power buffing is optional. Taking a buffing compound to the cockpit, deck, cabin top etc will be a very labor intensive job and impossible in any surfaces that are not smooth, such as the seats, all non skid areas, etc. Your boat is over 20 years old and the gel coat may not be all that thick. My Catalina 22 is a 1986. Personally I use PoliGlo on the Hull and Woody Wax on the deck and cockpit. Others swear by Aurora wax on the deck. All are easy to use, do what they are intended to do, and don't require power compounding. I will put my PoliGlo hull up against any compounded hull for looks and it is way easier to maintain. I have a power buffer and have done the whole 3M compounding thing. I believe that was the right solution 10 years ago but no longer. Science has now given us products that let us spend our time sailing, not doing manual labor. My 2 cents.
Protect the finish first.
If you use a protective product like Island Girl or a good wax like Collinite wax (which fills in the gel-coat) you should not have this type of a problem. Gel-coat is porous and will absorb oils, grease and dirt. I would NOT recommend using Soft scrub on Gel-coat. I have also used it on very stubborn areas it is very abrasive, so I use it VERY sparingly.
If you use a protective product like Island Girl or a good wax like Collinite wax (which fills in the gel-coat) you should not have this type of a problem. Gel-coat is porous and will absorb oils, grease and dirt. I would NOT recommend using Soft scrub on Gel-coat. I have also used it on very stubborn areas it is very abrasive, so I use it VERY sparingly.
Sand Paper.
Use real fine 800-1000 grade wet finishing sand paper to remove stubborn stains. Wax afterwards. Will do less damage than some rubbing compounds or cleaning chemicals. The only drawback is the snaded par will shine more than the rest of the boat.-
Use real fine 800-1000 grade wet finishing sand paper to remove stubborn stains. Wax afterwards. Will do less damage than some rubbing compounds or cleaning chemicals. The only drawback is the snaded par will shine more than the rest of the boat.-
FSR
Fiberglas Stain Remover Buy it at WMP or almost anywhere else. Takes just about anything out. Acetone also works.
Fiberglas Stain Remover Buy it at WMP or almost anywhere else. Takes just about anything out. Acetone also works.
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