White spirit harmful to gelcoat?

[NigelCraig]

Probably a stupid question but I planned to clean the inside of a locker with white spirit before attaching velcro pads (trying to secure fuel tank) - does white spirit have any solvent effect on gelcoat?

 

[sailorman]

Probably a stupid question but I planned to clean the inside of a locker with white spirit before attaching velcro pads (trying to secure fuel tank) - does white spirit have any solvent effect on gelcoat?

meths would be better as white spirit is oily

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Or even Acetone

 

[Cheekybrat]

nail varnish remover works a treat on a small area

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I agree with those above.
The oily residue left by white spirit is not liked by all glues and paints and that meths and acetone are possibly better to use.
Take care when using acetone as it drys the skin badly and fumes are not good + splashes in the eyes are really bad news.

 

[VicS]

nail varnish remover works a treat on a small area

Some nail varnish removers may contain some oil. They would be unsatisfactory

 

[Csail]

Acetone only or mek (methyl ethyl ketone)

 

[prv]

Some nail varnish removers may contain some oil. They would be unsatisfactory

And I hear that quite a few of them these days don't contain any acetone.

I always just use straight acetone for this, you can buy little cans up to big drums from anywhere that sells fibreglassing stuff.

Pete

 

[Lakesailor]

I always keep a bottle of meths on the boat.
Cleans up excess Sikalfex a treat

 

[ghostlymoron]

Agree with advice above on solvents. Are you sure though that velcro is suitable for securing your fuel tank?

 

[rafiki_]

I always keep a bottle of meths on the boat.
Cleans up excess Sikalfex a treat

And of course can tie you over if the gin bottle runs dry.

 

[Lakesailor]

Yes. Have you noticed that meths these days is no longer purple but more pink?
Doesn't stain the teeth as much.