Gas Stained Gelcoat

[240Hallett]

So apperently we didn't burn enough gas at DS and left the boat in the garage with nearly a full tank. I store with the bow down so I can put the drive down. Gas fill and vent are towards the front of the belly tank.
How do I get rid of the stains?? I tried carb spray and brake cleaner and it got a lot of it but the initial area still looks like shit. Any ideas?

 

[hallett21]

Rubbing compound?? Then polish wax?

 

[RaceNeked]

That totally sux man...

maybe something like this?


...and if it works, this would be a good 'finish'...


leaves a great shine on my skis...

 

[Echo Lodge]

Toilet bowl cleaner??? Or muriatic acid to try and bleach it clean?

 

[28Eliminator]

That sucks Mike. Maybe take it to Adrenalin or Rons and see what they think. Your boat is way to nice to screw it up trying different things.

 

[FreeBird236]

Damn, really sorry mike, looks like it may be in the gel rather than on it. As was already said rubbing compounds, but I would start with finer compounds.

 

[FreeBird236]

That sucks Mike. Maybe take it to Adrenalin or Rons and see what they think. Your boat is way to nice to screw it up trying different things.

This too.^^^

 

[CobraDave]

I bet a cleaner wax or polish might do it. Muriatic acid seems a little harsh. I'd be scared to use it.

 

[Deja_Vu]

I would use this product:

http://www.autogeek.net/fiberglass-boat-cleaner.html?productid=fiberglass-boat-cleaner&channelid=PGRAB&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=PriceGrabber&utm_campaign=CSE

 

[240Hallett]

Strongest thing I have here is Meguiar's cleaner wax...didn't do much. I have some 3M polishing compound at home that I can try next week.
Not that mobile at the moment to take it anywhere.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[RiverDave]

It is "on it" not in it.. (At least it shouldn't be in it)

Go get some strong degreasers and try again. Dishwashing soap, simple green, dollar store degreaser, etc..

Also try wiping the area down with acetone first.

 

[240Hallett]

So this stuff is safe to use on Gelcoat?

 

[shueman]

Acetone is what we use at the shop to clean gel ...

 

[Mike Honcho]

I had a neighbor at the river watch me clean the bottom of my hull with the starbright hull cleaner bought from Spankys spray on and let it sit a few minutes and spray off easiest thing ever and my hull was discolored like this and it cleaned it up with no effort. Neighbor was amazed and tried my left over on his old sea ray near the overflow and let it sit a few and hosed it off and it cleaned it right up. If this was me I would try this before acetone and other acid combos but I am sure those would work too, I just found this was the easiest solution for me.

Good Luck

 

[240Hallett]

Good info. Thanks!

 

[85RiverRAT]

I had a neighbor at the river watch me clean the bottom of my hull with the starbright hull cleaner bought from Spankys spray on and let it sit a few minutes and spray off easiest thing ever and my hull was discolored like this and it cleaned it up with no effort. Neighbor was amazed and tried my left over on his old sea ray near the overflow and let it sit a few and hosed it off and it cleaned it right up. If this was me I would try this before acetone and other acid combos but I am sure those would work too, I just found this was the easiest solution for me.

Good Luck

We use the same on our 240. StarBrite Hull Cleaner. Turns the bottom bright white after the season is over. Works on the vent stains too.

 

[Deja_Vu]

I saw this product at WalMart the other day. Looks like a good solution for this situation.

 

[zx14]

3M FinessIt

 

[240Hallett]

I've got some of this...

 

[KAP]

FSR---It is safe for Gel Coat and will remove it easily.

You can buy it at West Marine....great stuff.

Read reviews if you don't believe me. It cost about $13 dollars enough for the whole boat.


KAP

 

[BSP14]

Had the exact same thing happen to our 240 in February when it got warm. I used a combo of cleaners, light compound, and finally wax to get the stain off. I think the biggest culprit was the additives in the fuel, but it did clean up well after plenty of effort.

With the amount of fuel running off the rub rail when I got there, I am just glad it didn't find an ignition source and correct fuel/air ratio.

 

[relaxalot]

Industrial strength acetone

 

[240Hallett]

Well I used the acetone and compound but still had quite a bit of the yellowing even though the surface was very smooth. Figured screw it we're going boating! After 3 days of sunshine it's looking pretty damn good. Almost back to normal:thumbsup