Dirty stripes on hull from. aluminium toe rail

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croz

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I'm frustrated by the dirty lines I have all down my top sides which seem to be as a result of my aluminium toe rail. Does anyone know of some marvellous magic formulation I can use to seal the aluminium to minimise this effect? The ongoing cleaning regime is driving me crazy as it just doesn't stay clean for long. Thanks
 
Seveal past threads on this subject here and on other forums.

Concensus seems to be that it isn't the aluminium toe rail (as hinted at by Vyv Cox as he does not have an sluminium toe rail but still gets lines) but the join between hull and deck (just below the toe rail) which accumulates dirt. Give this a thorough clean with a stiff brush or power washer. I did this on mine and no more black lines down the topsides.
 
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theoldsalt said:
Seveal past threads on this subject here and on other forums.

Concensus seems to be that it isn't the aluminium toe rail (as hinted at by Vyv Cox) but the join between hull and deck (just below the toe rail) which accumulates dirt. Give this a thorough clean with a stiff brush or power washer. I did this on mine and no more black lines down the topsides.
Click to expand...

a lot of the streaking seems to be caused by the difference in the aluminium and the screws/fixings used(steel)
 
I have this problem every winter on my Jeanneau SO45.1. The streaks line up with the oval holes in the aluminium toe-rail so on mine at least I think it's the anodising on the aluminium toe-rail coming off. I've not found the "Black Streak Remover" that effectrive, I use a strong solution of Vanish Oxy-Action in fairly warm water, a clean sponge and lots of elbow-grease.

What does seem to help is the polish I use. As part of the winter lay-up I wash and polish the topsides with Starbrite marine polish with PTFE. I give them two coats of polish and that does seem to make the black stripes much easier to remove next spring.
 
Sorry to say i get exactly same streaks down my dinghy racing cat , which has neither hull to deck joint ( is joined on centre seam) nor toe rails , you can clean and polish , with streaks appearing overing overnight , same as on my yat ,,



I think its something to do with polish used , my yat was polished using some fancy pants pro product , by a pro , and hull was streak free and shining still at end of season .
 
Well at least it seems I am not alone. Interesting note on your experience on the pro approach (markhomer) as that exactly the way I did this when we went in last August after a refit but tbh its worse than ever now. Do you know what super dooper fancy pants pro product they used?

Elbow grease seems the only really effective solution for now at least until someone really understands whats causing it. Im pretty good at keeping the deck areas all cleaned down so I really do feel there is something in the aluminium thats making it so prevalent rather than just grime. Some boats adjacent to mine do have v minor streaking but mine is really taking the biscuit. I think I might try a silicone spray over the toenail when Ive next done it and try that approach.

Many thanks for all the input.
 
I believe that the black streaks are a consequence of burnt kerosene, aka aircraft fuel.

I have the same problem with my boat. Unlike other referred to in this thread, Cirrus is a wooden classic with all embedded fittings fully sealed.

The top-sides are re-painted each year and then polished with International Polwax. Removal of the black streaks takes a quick wipe with a wet sponge. It's the polish that does the job, not the paint.

If you paint your top-sides and intend to polish them, make sure that you use a silicon-free polish.
 
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