Gel Coat Help - Teak Cleaner

[pks1702]

Have used these numerous times before on our previous boat (Wessex) without any issues.

Last year I applied some Semco Sealer to the swim platform that turned very dark so with an hour to spare yesterday I thought I would see if I could remove this.

I had some A Glaze two part cleaner in the Lazerette so though I would give this a go. Put on the part one and brushed it in with a soft brush. Unfortunately I must have been a bit vigorous it splashed some on the gel coat unbeknown to me. I applied the neutraliser and it became clear I will need to repeat this to get the sealer off at a later date.

However I then noticed the Gel Coat it appears though the A Glaze has discoloured it :ambivalence: Tried to wash off without success.

Will this compound out? Any ideas.

 

[47GC]

Have used these numerous times before on our previous boat (Wessex) without any issues.

Last year I applied some Semco Sealer to the swim platform that turned very dark so with an hour to spare yesterday I thought I would see if I could remove this.

I had some A Glaze two part cleaner in the Lazerette so though I would give this a go. Put on the part one and brushed it in with a soft brush. Unfortunately I must have been a bit vigorous it splashed some on the gel coat unbeknown to me. I applied the neutraliser and it became clear I will need to repeat this to get the sealer off at a later date.

However I then noticed the Gel Coat it appears though the A Glaze has discoloured it :ambivalence: Tried to wash off without success.

Will this compound out? Any ideas.

I had a similar problem, but with the sealer. Called Aglaze and they sent a product to fix it. If I remember rightly the sent fender cleaner to remove teak sealant. I suggest a quick phone call and they will keep you right.

 

[pks1702]

I had a similar problem, but with the sealer. Called Aglaze and they sent a product to fix it. If I remember rightly the sent fender cleaner to remove teak sealant. I suggest a quick phone call and they will keep you right.

Thanks I will give them a shout :encouragement:

 

[Marine Reflections]

Have used these numerous times before on our previous boat (Wessex) without any issues.

Last year I applied some Semco Sealer to the swim platform that turned very dark so with an hour to spare yesterday I thought I would see if I could remove this.

I had some A Glaze two part cleaner in the Lazerette so though I would give this a go. Put on the part one and brushed it in with a soft brush. Unfortunately I must have been a bit vigorous it splashed some on the gel coat unbeknown to me. I applied the neutraliser and it became clear I will need to repeat this to get the sealer off at a later date.

However I then noticed the Gel Coat it appears though the A Glaze has discoloured it :ambivalence: Tried to wash off without success.

Will this compound out? Any ideas.

Hi,
Just to mention the teak for a moment.
Personally I've never had an issue with Semco sealer turning teak dark, but this could happen if the 2 part (Wessex or Semco) has not been fully neutralised and rinsed.

The teak looks a little chemically burnt to me, it's usual for this to happen if the part 1 cleaner has been left on the teak for too long before being neutralised.
This may have caused an issue of sorts when it came to sealing. I can see that the teak is naturally patchy, but the deeper grain (harder to neutralise) has become almost black towards the right of the picture.

For reference, it is easier and milder for the teak to apply the part 1 to a small section at a time, allow the product to bite (which it will do within a minute or two) agitate and then neutralise with part 2 asap. This way the teak won't get burned. You can leave the part 2 on for much longer than part 1, certainly if you still have dark areas that need brightening.

You mentioned using a soft brush and this is generally good practice for maintenance cleaning, but when you are removing the above (a mixture of sealant and oxidised oil from the teak) you may find (along with the cleaners) that using a green scotch pad would be more effective.

The gelcoat.
As with the above, the cleaners need neutralising if they come into contact with other surfaces.
I don't recommend you try this, but if you get some part 1 teak cleaner on your hands, rinsing it off from your fingers takes some effort before they are squeaky. The same is true if you get some splashed on the gelcoat, a quick rinse just won't do regardless of what the manufacturers tell you.

I'm being shouted at as it's late so I will cut to the chase, use some of the part 2 on the gelcoat using a melamine sponge. this will solve what is (above surface), inspect after this to see if you have damaged gelcoat. It shouldn't have and I guess for the sake of brevity it is similar to an extreme water spot rather than any bleaching of colour to the gel coat.
It wouldn't hurt to follow this up with a polish and wax.

Tony

 

[pks1702]

Tony,

Sincere thanks for the trouble taken to outline the information. :encouragement:

The Scotchguard tip sounds a good one.

I have not used SEMCO Sealent before and maybe I was a bit heavy with its application last year. Just wanting to get back to the original Teak and a square by square approach is probably needed.

I have never had this issue with the Wessex Cleaner and picked up the A Glaze on offer. I suspect the base ingredients are probably the same so no implied criticism of the product it is clearly 'operator error' :ambivalence:

Thanks again for taking the time to reply I with try a light dab of part two and give it a wax.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Very welcome.

Yes the Wessex and A-glaze are very similar, IMO the Semco 1&2 has the edge on both of them.

 

[pks1702]

Tony,

With your guidance..... this is the result :encouragement:

Wessex part 1 & 2 my trusted products from before (wish I had stuck with them instead of the A Glaze product and their sealer :grumpy.

After part 1&2 the Green Scotch pads and some effort I got this:

And the Semco neutral sealant

Sdaly using the neutraliser on the gel coat has not cured the issue so I will take my RA Polisher and some cutting compound next week and see if I can make an impression.

Thanks again for the invaluable advice Tony :encouragement:

 

[Marine Reflections]

Well done! You've made a good job of that.

Agree the polisher should solve the last remaining splashes on the gelcoat.

Thanks for for taking the time to update with pics.

Do the same process in six months (sorry, I know it's hard work) and it will improve even more (IMO) each time you do it, don't be tempted to simply add another coat of sealer.

Tony

 

[pks1702]

Pleasure Tony.

Thanks for the invaluable advice :encouragement: