Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

[Dirty Dawg]

All summer long I have seen the brown stain forming on the hull of my 2000 Searay sundeck. I have tried "elbow grease", bleach ,soft scrub and some commercial products to no avail.

I finally tried some MaryKate On & Off Gel and it removed the stain in no time leaving a very clean and shinny surface.

My concern is what is this doing to the boat. I assume the wax is gone but is it also eating the gel coating? It has hydrogen chloride, phosphoric acid and oxalic acid as ingredients. I had a small cut, that I did not know and it instantly burned and some of it dripped onto the galvanized trailer and turned it black ( off course I ignored the instructions to wear gloves and cover the trailer the first time).Nasty stuff!!

So any opinions ands suggestions? I like a clean boat but do not want to eat into the gel coating.

And while we are at it any thoughts on those back streaks? I have tried two "black streak removers" that do not work!!

Thanks Ike

 

[arks]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

On and Off won't hurt the gelcoat but, then again, I wouldn't use it every weekend, either. Around my neck of the woods I've found that the waterline stain comes off easily if the hull is wiped down immediately after loading. I use a sponge and a bucket, and consider it a task to be done before hooking up the stern straps. Other cleaners out there do the same job as On and Off for less cost. Look for products that contain oxalic acid- I've used toilet bowl cleaner with good results.

And while we are at it any thoughts on those back streaks? I have tried two "black streak removers" that do not work!!
Thanks Ike

The BEST way to eliminate black streaks is to thoroughly buff and wax the gelcoat. I struggled with streaks for years until I figured that one out. Yeah it's a lot of effort, but it's worth it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Reading and following the product's instructions should answer your question Dirty Dawg. It wouldn't be recommended for gelcoat if it was destroying it. And as you found out, it burns skin and will ruin galvanized steel.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Thanks for the info all. That stuff works great, but nasty. In a matter of minutes it removed stains that we have been battling all summer long. It was on sale so not ridiculously expensive, but I will look for a cheaper version now that I know what to look for.

Ark, to clarify, do you mean to buff and wax the gelcoat as a preventative measure or to get rid of the streaks?

Thanks again Ike

 

[arks]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

do you mean to buff and wax the gelcoat as a preventative measure or to get rid of the streaks?
Thanks again Ike

Preventative. Before buffing you've got to wash the gelcoat with plenty of soap and water. Do it a couple times if you can't get it really clean. Any black streak "shadows" that remain can be buffed out before waxing.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Arks, thanks but I have another question, sorry,!

After the washing, you buff the boat before waxing? Is this dry or with a rubbing compound of some type?
I always buff with a compound if there enough oxidation that warrantes it but never dry, and then wax and buff the wax layer. Are we on the same page? Thanks Ike

 

[arks]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

When I say buff, I mean with an orbital buffer and polishing compound- before applying any wax. Forget those cheap buffers- to do a proper job you need a good machine. I use a Black and Decker 7" "Buffmaster" like ths one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Duty-Comm...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 and use 3M foam pads and polishing compounds- not cheap but VERY good. If the gelcoat has lost the shine you'll have to use a couple different compounds, working from most agressive to least. It's a lot of work, but the results are amazing. Be careful not to burn the finish with high speed or too much pressure. It might make sense to ask a body shop to show you how they do it- maybe even volunteer for a couple hours at a shop to learn (that's what I did).
The buffing process will smooth out the gelcoat and bring back some gloss- but it'll be hazy until waxing. BTW- I use my buffer to apply the wax but prefer to remove the wax with clean beach towels (and no buffer). 2 or 3 coats of wax will last all summer and keep the gelcoat so slick that black streaks will only be a memory....

Here's a couple pictures of my old boat during the buffing process. Look just above the white rubrail. The right side has been buffed but not the left- see the difference? After waxing, it was BEA-UTI-FUL!
Notice my buffer on the plywood.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Arks, thanks for the clarification and the time. Now it is clear. I just got my boat, used a few months ago, my first, but I have been around cars all my adult life. The boat had been sitting for two years and probably had never been buffed since new. A lot of oxidation, and went thru the steps with a heavy duty buffer you described to get it back. The change was dramatic. The heat? had discolored the gelcoat under the canvas and had left a discoloration in the outline of the canvas covers. All that vanished and the gel coat blended all in and came back to life.

I most admit, a boat is bigger than a car and so I got lazy and tired with the wax application and did not put more than one layer. Next season I will build up that layer to void those streaks.

I am curious what wax are you using? I have been using a 3M product who's name escapes me.

Thanks again for all the responses, by the way, "Beats Workin"??, it seems like a lot of work to me!!! Ike

 

[orion25]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Keep in mind that that is a rotary buffer and not an orbital. It is very easy to damage a finish with a rotary if you don't know what you are doing........ If you want a good heavy duty orbital check the meguires website or Groit's garage.

 

[arks]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

I am curious what wax are you using? I have been using a 3M product who's name escapes me.

The foam pads are 3M "Perfect-it", the compounds are 3M "Finesse-It ll", and
the wax is just called "3M Marine Protective Liquid Wax".

Thanks again for all the responses, by the way, "Beats Workin"??, it seems like a lot of work to me!!! Ike

Well, when it comes to my boat, it's always been a labor of love.....

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

Thanks Arks,
I believe that is the same 3M wax product I used as well !!! Ike

 

[Chevysolid]

Re: Brown stains , its removal and how damaging is the product?

For the brown stains, check this out...

non acidic, no odor...
i was amazed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3snjD4Wz5dQ