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 Post subject: Staining on hulls
PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:00 am 
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Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:09 pm
Posts: 117
Location: Buffalo, NY
The hulls on my 1984 Hobie 18 boat get a brown/yellow staining on them after a few outings. Most of it would wash off with soap and water but some areas are very stubborn. I waxed the hulls prior to launching the boat in May and again in July in an attempt to slow this problem.

The boat is stored on an aluminum lift when not in use and is completely out of the water. When I lower the boat, I rig the main and off I go. I have had to clean the hulls 5-6 times last summer as this discoloration crops up in no time.

I purchased this boat last May and the previous owner stated it was I storage for over 10 years. All other components of the boat suggest minimal use. With that said, could the gel coat truly be worn to the point of needing attention? How do I know if the boat gel coat is the problem? How thick is it? Would it be best to wet sand the hulls first, use a rubbing compound and wheel and then hand wax the hulls in hopes of sealing them?

I have read many posts on the Hobie site and other documentation over the past few months knowing that I want to do "something" with this issue. I have painted automobiles, used clear coats, etc., but I know gel coat is different, which puts me in a difficult spot. I am open to suggestions as I would like to take care of this before May 1st. Hopefully the snow will be gone by then.

Thanks for your assistance.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:27 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:45 am
Posts: 759
Location: Clinton Lake Lawrence, KS
T,

What you're experiencing is oxidation of the gel-coat. The UV degradation causes microscopic pock marks or holes which fill with dirt. Waxing will trap the dirt in those holes, and seal it in. Wet sanding, followed by a fine grit rubbing compound should remove the oxidized gelcoat, the wax/dirt and these holes. Then wax and the re appearing problem will halt.

M2C

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:43 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 7:35 pm
Posts: 1369
Location: 315 N. Hwy 79 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 850-235-2281
every time we go to Ocean Spring to sail our hulls come back yellow and dirty, a simple wash will not do the trick. Toilet bowl clean will though, the cheapest stuff you can find, the active ingredient it muriatic acid acid, but is diluted enough to use easily. give that a show before you go thru all the wet sanding ideas, which will work but may be more work than needed. get the hulls clean then polish them out with a Teflon wax.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:26 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:46 pm
Posts: 1457
Location: Santa Cruz
Use 3m perfect it III heavy cut. It's a one step deal, no need to wetsand unless there are big scratches. Then wax if you want.

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 Post subject: Bon Ami
PostPosted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:01 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:27 am
Posts: 538
Location: League City, TX
Try Bon Ami. $1 a can at the grocery store. Did wonders for three years of green mold from my 17 setting outside while I couldn't sail.

Doug


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