How to remove an antifoul stain on gelcoat

[skipjack27]

My boat has a white fibreglass hull. When last slipped, it appears that some drops of black antifoul paint from a painting exercise on an adjacent boat splashed onto the sides of my hull.

How can I remove the resulting stains without damaging the gelcoat? I've tried polishing with quite strong gelcoat polish. This certainly removes the surface stain, but the antifoul appears to have penetrated the gelcoat and a distinct black stain remains that no amount of rubbing appears to be able to remove.

Is there any way of removing this ingrained stain?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[drewpster]

Re: How to remove an antifoul stain on gelcoat

You are likely going to need a rubbing compound rather than a polish. I would try a fine grit compound then work to a more aggressive one. You will then have to work back to a fine grit to bring back the shine. Polishes will "buff" the surface while a rubbing compound actually removes a small amount of material.

 

[findango]

Re: How to remove an antifoul stain on gelcoat

Look for a product called "on-off". It's a hull cleaner that removes a lot of stains, works great on rust, barnicle rings,etc. It's VERY potent stuff..rubber gloves and good ventilation
Let me know how it works on paint stains..

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How to remove an antifoul stain on gelcoat

Depending on what kind of AF paint landed on your boat...you might have to lightly sand and buff them out..

Even dry dust..then a little moisture will deck stain the crap out of your boat..with no other option other then a light sand and buff..

YD.