Scuff Removal Advice Please

[Highland Bear]

Some advice please folks.

I was squeezing into a rather too cosy marina visitor's berth the other day and the long term occupier had left a couple of old fenders tied to the side of the pontoon I was tie-ing up to. They've obviously been there for years and the u.v. has damaged the surface of the fender so that it has become chalky/powdery. The resultant contact with my flag blue painted hull has left a white scuff on the hull which won't come off with a bit of vigourous polishing.

It hasn't damaged the paint surface as far as I can tell but the chalky residue needs to come off. Any advice on solvents/cutting compounds that won't damage the paint surface but will take the old plastic stuff off?

Many thanks in anticipation!

 

[Bobc]

Try uPVC solvent cleaner from Toolstation.

I use it alll the time for removing marks like that, and it's mild enough not to attack the gelcoat.

 

[johnalison]

When the blue stripe on my HR got scuffed in a winter gale a few years ago, I found that I had to use 1200 grade wet and dry before cutting and polishing. Although not paint, the blue gel is as thin as paint and I was surprised how easy and effective it was to deal with. If a solvent doesn't work, then that is what I would do next.

 

[eddystone]

Cif is surprisingly effective on ingrained dirt.

 

[mainsail1]

Meguiars Oxidation Remover No 49.
I use it all the time for removing scuffs and scrapes.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

T-Cut for GRP. This is much gentler than even the finest grade wet and dry paper and is worth trying as a first attempt before moving to a more aggressive treatment if it doesn't work.

 

[ashtead]

There is an oil like compound in a tin which we used to clean up blue strips in gelcoat on our Bav and work better than others to restore the faded blue - think it was sold as anti corrosion product . You might look up posts on restoring Bavaria blue strips to learn more if all else fails.

 

[Highland Bear]

Thanks all. As my hull is painted on top of the gel coat, anything I do use mustn't eat the paint.

 

[ip485]

I would use some thinners (available from Halfords for example) takes anything off! It is really effective but check it doesnt remove the paint as well! After, a good polish and buff and will be as good as new! It is more aggresive than some of the other suggestions but usually works a treat when these fail.

PS on most paints thinners doesnt have any effected, but do check first!

 

[mainsail1]

PS on most paints thinners doesnt have any effected, but do check first!
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?485056-Scuff-Removal-Advice-Please#XslqUxFPasQP2HmF.99

Carefull! My experience is that thinners does damage old and new paint.

 

[Yngmar]

Try uPVC solvent cleaner from Toolstation.

I use it alll the time for removing marks like that, and it's mild enough not to attack the gelcoat.

+1 - this is the non-abrasive solution. Fenders are made of PVC and this will get rid of any fender material left on your hull.

Follow instructions - it is apply, wait 1-2 minutes, then rub off. Trying to rub off right away will reward you only with frustration, as will waiting for longer than 1-2 minutes as the solvent will have evaporated by then. Waiting the right amount of time however, the PVC becomes very soft and can easily be rubbed off with a rag.

 

[Highland Bear]

+1 - this is the non-abrasive solution. Fenders are made of PVC and this will get rid of any fender material left on your hull.

Follow instructions - it is apply, wait 1-2 minutes, then rub off. Trying to rub off right away will reward you only with frustration, as will waiting for longer than 1-2 minutes as the solvent will have evaporated by then. Waiting the right amount of time however, the PVC becomes very soft and can easily be rubbed off with a rag.

Very helpful. Thanks.

Visited my local Toolstation this very afternoon and purchased a bottle to try when I'm on board next week and will report back.

 

[pmyatt]

Cif is surprisingly effective on ingrained dirt.

Cif, as a domestic product, has larger abrasive grains than a marine product; it is more likely to need polishing-out.