Cleaning Black Streaks

garrett575

I have a SS 188.  I have black streaks on the gel coat from water running off the cover.  I was able to keep up with them by using a sponge and lake water to wipe them down at the sand bar.  However, they are getting increasingly difficult to keep on top of and a sponge with water is not doing the trick.  What do people use for a clearer that will not scratch or fade the gel coating.  

Ernest_T

Guy at my marina that details boats told me to try acetone.  It works well for removing black streaks on the hull and especially on the rub rail.  I t will also remove any wax you have on the boat, so I do recommend following up with a wet rag to remove any residual acetone, then some new wax.  You don't want to let acetone puddle or sit anywhere, since it is a pretty good solvent, but I've not seen any fading or any damage to the gel coat.

Other option I've heard is a Magic Eraser, but it is sort of like using mild sand paper, so you will remove a little of the gel coat with it.  So, I don't like to use the Magic Erasers on my gel coat.  

cjjjdeck

I get the same thing and tried various products with varied success.  I ended up using Pure Oceans Fiberglass Polish, a West Marine product, which works well taking the black streaks off.  What I haven't found yet is something to apply to prevent the streaks from forming in the first place.

Here's the link to the polish:
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--pure-oceans-nanotec-fiberglass-polish--P004_130_002_510

HydroCanis

Good info. I recently cleaned the covers because some of those streaks are obviously coming from accumulated crud on the covers themselves.

garrett575

Ended up using Meguiar's M5032 Marine/RV One Step Cleaner Wax. It worked really well. The streaks were not too dark and came right off with little effort. Now I just buff them off with a terry cloth. I'm also going to try 

Meguiar's M5216 Marine/RV Quik Clean Mist & Wipe - 16 oz. for ongoing cleaning. 

dolfan1967

MR Clean Magic Eraser work awesome on the random black streaks on the gel coat and around the snaps.

notchy

Something you can try that I've been finding a LOT of uses for is Bar Keepers Friend. My boat had black streaks, red streaks(?) etc. on it. This stuff is amazing. Says it is good for fiberglass & it doesn't seem to remove the gloss. I've even used it with a brush on some stubborn stains on the vinyl cushions. I find more uses all the time. Is expensive though. $1.50 LOL. If you call it Boat Keepers Friend, it would sell for $9.50.