Stains on hull

[MaxOD]

Could someone recommend a good product to remove stains from the hull of a fiberglass boat? I had the boat in the river here and when I took it out I never washed it completely and now I have patchy brown stains that seem to be under the gel coat. They are not surface and will not remove with any cleaners like spray 9.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Stains on hull

head to your local hardware store and get TSP ..TriSodiumPhosphate, mix with water..apply with soft bristled brush,do this in the shade,you dont need to rub...just let it sit ..keep the area wet with the mixture , it will remove mineral stains and have it looking like new....and No , it wont hurt the gelcoat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stains on hull

http://store.wardmarine.com/Merchan...OS&Product_Code=MK2032+Qt.&Category_Code=H&DC

 

[Seon]

Re: Stains on hull

Mr. Clean Eraser works great but you'll need to apply wax over the affected area afterwards.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Stains on hull

http://store.wardmarine.com/Merchan...OS&Product_Code=MK2032+Qt.&Category_Code=H&DC

Good stuff but it will damaged the galvanizing on the trailer if you don't wet the trailer down before apply.

I dilute the On-Off say 3:1 and use a garden sprayer to apply it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and watch the discoloration fade away before your eyes.

Hose the boat and trailer off with generous amounts of water and your done.

 

[oops!]

Re: Stains on hull

toilet bowl cleaner will remove hard water stains like a dream....or muriatic acid.....failing that......aceitone will clean it

 

[ziggy]

Re: Stains on hull

or muriatic acid

that's what i've used... diluted. 1/4 acid, 3/4 water... don't breath the fumes, do wear rubber gloves and eye protection. i had bad stains to remove myself. a little scrubbing was in order too. came out clean as a whistle..... be careful if ya use it though, very hazardous stuff.....

 

[carpaediem123]

Re: Stains on hull

I had the same problem with my boat. Three days ago I bought STAR BRIGHT HULL CLEANER ($15) from boaters world and it worked like a charm. Sprayed it on, rubbed it with a sponge and rinsed it off. It took off stains that had been there since last year. It is environmentally friendly, wont hurt you or your boat, and my hull has never been cleaner

 

[JT!]

Re: Stains on hull

mr. clean makes the magic eraser, as previously mentioned.

i used a wet magic eraser over the entire top deck of my boat and it restored everything to its original clean gelcoat.

wax was also mentioned but i havent waxed mine.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Stains on hull

If all else fails, wetsanding works every time...very fine grit (1500 or finer) and plenty of water.

Not as intimidating as it sounds after you get going and realize you're not gonna hurt anything. Needs to be followed with a serious polishing to get the sheen back.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Stains on hull

We've had that problem a lot, and have had great success with the Starbright Hull Cleaner already mentioned... although we bought it at Walmart or Meijer for a lot less. We've even used it on our home's vinyl siding where the neighbor's sprinkler system leaves a rust stain after a few months.

There are many similar products, as you've already read by now. Since the last time we bought some, I've learned (here on iBoats) that it is basically oxalic acid, and I could probably buy that even cheaper at a hardware or paint store. I assume other acids would behave similarly.

Cautions apply - it will eat your skin, so rubber gloves and lots of rinse for yourself, the boat and trailer as soon as you're done. Although it's supposedly environment-friendly, any acid or cleaner strong enough to do the job will come with some environmental issues, so be careful with it.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Stains on hull

I bought a boat that was set on fire and had a a lot of neglect. I immediately went to iboats for products. I bought them all. Depending on the stain each product had its purpose. Away try Starbright, TSP, Acetone, first.

If they fail, the area is small and the stain is real annoying, Goof Off for plastic and a plastic scrub pad. I could be a spokesman. Afterwards, if (and I stress if) the area gets dull, wet sand will 500, 1000 and then 1200 wet/dry sand paper. I you don't like wet sanding, a palm sander with 1000 then 1200 will work. Finish comes out like a mirror. Then polish with your normal stuff.

As always, when you mess with your boat finish, try to find an area that is not readily seen to try out new products and new techniques.

 

[nlain]

Re: Stains on hull

I use Whink rust stain remover, you can get it in the grocery store in the cleaning products section, Brown plastic container, I have to get the water (tannin) stain off every time my boat goes in the water here. Follow the directions if you are going to use it. Here is a link to their website.

http://www.whink.com/how_to_order.htm

 

[TonyNoriega]

Re: Stains on hull

Here in the Tampa Bay area we get a lot of tannin stains when the rains push the brownish stuff down the rivers and in to the bay. I had tried a number of cleaners but since I used the Starbrite Hull Cleaner that's all I need.

I understand that it's the oxalic acid (pronounced OX AL LICK I believe) that does the cleaning and it doesn't require much scrubbing and works in a few minutes. I think I got mine at Walmart.