Dirty gel coat

[guydickinson]

What do you think is the best way to clean a (white) gel coat to remove the likes of dark diesel exhaust deposits on the transom, for example, please? Don't want to use T Cut or similar too often. Soap won't get it off. (By the way, is T Cut OK for serious stuff - some say you need a special one for gel coats??)

 

[BrokerBen]

I cannot remember the name of the stuff...

But there's a company that sell stuff you apply with a cloth and wipe off which removed stains.

Also try GRPro Clean as they do a great job of cleaning boats and making them look amazing!

Ben

 

[MoodySabre]

I'd use some hull cleaner and if that doesn't shift it then Y10 (oxalic acid) will.

 

[itsonlymoney]

T cut is fine for bad bits I use it all the time. There is an alternative starbrite (i think) milder abrasive cleaner which works really well. Or have you tried starbrite's "Hull cleaner" on it, it seems to get most stuff off. If its really really bad you could use 1200 grade wet and dry then cut back with the above then polish with autoglymn, dont be scared of wet and dry if its fine stuff its ok honest.

 

[steve6367]

G3 cutting paste used by hand will shift is with no problem - if using by hand you wont cause any problems - have to be more careful with machine and coarser cutting paste.

Don’t forget to use it wet, or it wont have the desired effect.

 

[VicS]

Any abrasive will make minute scratches in the gel coat that may make it more likely to pick up dirt in the future unless also wax polished (No silicones!)

T cut is about as fine as you will get. Chandlers sell a range of fibre glass rubbing compounds of different grades of coarseness.

The oxalic acid containing Y10 seems to be the magic material (or you can make your own with oxalic acid and wallpaper paste but take care oxalic acid is pretty poisonous) At least it is non abrasive.

You might find a bathroom cleaner such as Cif (use the one without bleach I think) effective but it is slightly abrasive. It is OK for plastic baths so should be OK for GRP hulls.

 

[Spyro]

I used oxalic acid a few weeks ago on my deck to remove some rust spots. I was amazed at the results but will now have to do the complete deck as the bits I used it on are now much whiter than the bits I didn't.

 

[trev]

I've been using Glass Fibre Restorer with Wax for years with good results.

 

[Vara]

HLB of these forums used to distribute a very powerful detergent, worth a PM to see if he still does. Expensive but does the biz.
It doesn't do the greeny grey water line marks and the grey water line streaks, for that oxalic acid is the stuff. If you don't fancy making your own up then Y10 is very good.

I'm not a fan of using cutting paste for cleaning, only to be used as a last resort IMO, chemicals first.

 

[Guest]

Cilit Bang is rubbish .... BUT out here we have Cilit Bang Lime and Rust Remover .... it's the dogs doodahs !

My boat had sat for near 5 years gathering that 'orrible line round the waterline ... bit of elbow work and the L&R remover - came up smashing ... I'm sure many on here can remember the photos I posted ...

 

[Dave99]

We do a spray which breaks down most stuff - similarly you can buy Muc-off in the shops which is a good at getting rid of stains without going to the effort of using a cutting compound. A good polish should get rid of diesel stains alone - but as mentioned they are all abrasives. Perhaps a good alternative is to have the hull cut and then apply a glaze/non-abrasive finish such As PPS or A-glaze.

 

[guydickinson]

Thanks v much one and all. I went for the Starbight this afternoon and have to say it works v well.