Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

brick75

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
289
Just got back from a camping trip to the lake where I had my boat tied up in a slip for a couple nights. Noticed some pretty nasty scuff marks that came from the bumper strip they have attached to the edge of the dock. This appears to be the rubber material that has come off onto my hull rather than an actual scratch in the paint or gel coat. Just wondering if anyone has a good method for removing such a thing?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

Just got back from a camping trip to the lake where I had my boat tied up in a slip for a couple nights. Noticed some pretty nasty scuff marks that came from the bumper strip they have attached to the edge of the dock. This appears to be the rubber material that has come off onto my hull rather than an actual scratch in the paint or gel coat. Just wondering if anyone has a good method for removing such a thing?

Ayuh,... A green Scotchbrite scrubby pad, 'n WD-40....
 

EddiePetty

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
1,008
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

Magic Eraser or 3-M fiberglass restorer. Scothbrite will scuff if you are heavy handed.
A lot of solvents (PB Blaster, WD-40, Liquid Wrench, etc.) work wonders too.
 

pooh_b_21632

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

There is a hull cleaner sold at walmart in a blue bottle (sorry I cant remember the name off the top of my head will look at my bottle tomorrow) that is a really great cleaner. You wipe it on (not scrub or rub) wait few seconds and wipe it off, super clean. Black marks, dirty water line does not matter it all comes off.
 

90stingray

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Oct 26, 2010
Messages
1,162
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

Scothbrite will scuff if you are heavy handed.

There are different grits of scotchbrite... yes, red is coarse. Grey is finer... but white is superfine! Like 0000 steel wool.

And invest in fenders... they work wonders!
 

brick75

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
289
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

and use fenders in the future

Trust me, I use fenders. Unfortunately the amount of wake that made its way through to the slips caused the fenders to be an inadequate amount of cushion.

Thanks for the ideas, I'll see what I can get to work.
 

Thalasso

Commander
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Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,879
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

WD40 and a rag.You don't need all that abrasive stuff
 

tgell001

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
213
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

Great Thread! I have been living with these black marks from the fenders on my parents floating dock (he had to get the decorative one)for a few weeks now and was putting off removing them just out of laziness. At the same time, the fenders kind of rubbed off my numbers a little and the glue has been smeared, will WD40 work to remove that as well?
 

pooh_b_21632

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

There is a hull cleaner sold at walmart in a blue bottle (sorry I cant remember the name off the top of my head will look at my bottle tomorrow) that is a really great cleaner. You wipe it on (not scrub or rub) wait few seconds and wipe it off, super clean. Black marks, dirty water line does not matter it all comes off.

Its made by Attwood, its called "hull cleaner" and its awesome. When I got my boat the front V bumper on the trailer that the bow rests on was black and left marks on my boat, I scrubbed and rubbed and they eventually came off but every time we went out they were back I have since replaced it with a yellow one but also the nanticoke river has iron in it and the bottom of your boat looks a rusty color when you come out of the water so I still use it. Once I found this hull cleaner I have never stopped using it you literally brush it on let it sit a minute and rinse it off its really that easy. The first couple times I used it I thought it was junk because I was trying to use it like soap and you dont you use it straight (or slightly diluted, do not add a bunch of water) I use it straight. Its only $7 for a pretty big bottle and you dont need alot one bottle cleans my 22ft bowrider about 8 times and it only takes like 20 minutes. I use a brush on a handle in a flat plastic kitty litter pan (one of the cheapies with no lid) and brush it on the whole hull then go back and rinse off.
 

dockwrecker

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
1,392
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

WD 40 works, so does Goof Off, mineral spirits etc. Most any petroleum based solvents do. Wipe it down really well after and rewax. No need for abrasive anything.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Scuffs on hull from dock bumper

laquer thinner is what i use on the boats that come into the shop with those kind of issues
 
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