Stained white hull

[mattwahm]

I just bought a used 1995 Ranger bass boat with a white fiberglass hull. It has lost it's luster over the years, but I polished and waxed and it came out looking pretty nice and clean. It doesn't have the most glossy finish, but did have a little shine to it. I took it out on a certain lake today and after a day on the lake, the bottom and sides of the boat are stained (like a tea stain) dirty brown. The stain does NOT wipe off.

Is there anything I can do or any product I can use to protect my fiberglass from this type of situation?

P.S. Is it possible to have a gelcoat reapplied? If so, what could I expect the going rate to be for a 19' bass boat?

Thanks!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stained white hull

Matt, There are a number of cleaners made for the issue you have. Some have oxalic or muratic acid in them. Have you tried "Super clean" or one of it's clones? I would start with SuperClean or spray-9 and graduate to one of the acid-based cleaners. Alternatively, you could also try some polishing compound. About all you can do after the cleaning is to put on some good marine polish and hope for the best. I think that a new gelcoat would suffer the same issue as your current gel coat.

 

[mattwahm]

Re: Stained white hull

Thanks Chris. Is there any benefit to applying more than one coat of wax, one coat right after another. Will this provide more protection and prevent the wax from breaking down as quickly?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[salty87]

Re: Stained white hull

i second muriatic acid but i'd suggest looking for it in a toilet bowl cleaning product, 3m makes one if i recall. in a toilet bowl cleaner, it will usually hang on to the surface rather than washing right off. a scrubber on a long stick will help too so you can keep your head/hair, arms, etc out from under the hull.

slop it on, scrub it in, let it set for 2-3 mins, and rinse off. rinse immediately off your trailer, if any gets on there, and it will or anything beside just the hull.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stained white hull

Matt, I have never put too much faith in marine wax or polish. it always seemed to wash off quickly in salt water. In your case, you should try a section with one coat, and a section with two coats, and see if it makes any diff.