Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 01, 2022, 01:27:06 PM

Title: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 01, 2022, 01:27:06 PM
Does anyone have any magic solutions for very stubborn waterline stains? I tried Starbrite's gel hull cleaner today and it worked like a charm in areas where the gelcoat was in good shape. In most places though, the surface feels like 400 grit sandpaper and the staining will not dissipate at all, even with scrubbing. My newbie opinion is that the staining is in the gelcoat rather than on the gelcoat. I had a winter cover tie-down that actually buffed the stain out as it blew in the wind over the last few months so I'm hopeful this won't be too painful. I was going to try 3M's restorer and wax next but figured I'd save some frustration by asking this great group first. Thanks!
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Stu Jackson on May 01, 2022, 01:52:25 PM
Clean the stain out with FSR.  Mary Kate liquid is nasty stuff and dangerous to your health, but their gel may work OK.  I prefer FSR.  Then wax it.  Done.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Noah on May 01, 2022, 02:14:48 PM
I agree on FSR, but it looks like your boot stripe and waterline are ready for compounding/polishing THEN  waxing.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Ron Hill on May 01, 2022, 03:01:08 PM
Trevor : All of us agree about FSR is the way to go to get off all of that stain on the small white stripe. 

After a few years I got tired of cleaning that white stripe so I raised the bottom paint into the wide blue stripe about half way. It was easy to do and as your 1988 the boat sets lower in the water (loaded) than Catalina planned on.  So save yourself some work each year - and believe me you won't miss that small white stripe!!  :thumb:

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 01, 2022, 03:54:55 PM
Thank you, everyone! I'll pick up some FSR this week. Once the stains are gone, the hull will definitely be receiving a much-needed polish.

Ron, raising the bottom paint is a good idea. If I run out of patience cleaning the white stripe, I may just do that.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: KWKloeber on May 01, 2022, 04:18:13 PM
Try Colonite fiberglass cleaner, if that doesn't remove it or remove all you might need something more aggressive like a cleaner compound followed by a polishing compound.  You might need to combine it with FSR.
Also try a few different cleaners (if it's on the surface rather than IN the gel coat) to see if it can be dissolved - like spraying with an acid like C-L-R or an alkali like oven cleaner to see if it touches it.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: captran on May 01, 2022, 07:47:28 PM
Quote from: Wurlitzer1614 on May 01, 2022, 03:54:55 PM
Thank you, everyone! I'll pick up some FSR this week. Once the stains are gone, the hull will definitely be receiving a much-needed polish.

Ron, raising the bottom paint is a good idea. If I run out of patience cleaning the white stripe, I may just do that.

I usually put on the FSR generously, working my way along one side of the boat.  Then I go over the same side with attention to the more stubborn stains.  FSR keeps my boot stripe and the little white line between the boot stripe and bottom paint looking sharp.   Then I wash off the FSR after that second scrub.  then just apply cleaner wax, which keeps the yellow from attaching.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 07, 2022, 07:24:40 PM
Well, the FSR didn't make any noticeable difference, even with 20 minutes of soaking and hard scrubbing. With the chemical options not having any effect, I tried 3M Cleaner & Wax. With the 3M and a ton of hand polishing, I was able to remove a few inches of the staining, but it took a LOT of elbow grease.

Given this information, is my best course of action to go with a more abrasive product? If so, which one? Thanks!
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: KWKloeber on May 07, 2022, 08:55:39 PM
Did you try the colonite i suggested
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 10, 2022, 07:01:13 PM
KWKloeber, I tried Collinite 920 tonight and it was slightly less effective than the 3M Cleaner and Wax. That surprised me because Collinite claims to be for "moderate" oxidation and the 3M for "light" oxidation. Anyway, I'm ready to try a more aggressive cleaner compound.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Sailing Amok on May 11, 2022, 04:21:31 AM
Just be careful with the compounding. Our first time doing it, we had some of the blue migrate into the white. It was easily resolved with additional careful compounding, but who wants extra work?
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Ron Hill on May 11, 2022, 02:05:32 PM
Trevor : Believe me!!  Just move the water line up, you will NOT regret doing that!!  It will save you the frustration of cleaning that thin whit strip EVERY year!!

A thought
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Wurlitzer1614 on May 17, 2022, 11:40:33 AM
It's time for an update! I ended up using 3M Rubbing Compound and a lot of elbow grease to get rid of the staining/oxidation. After that, I buffed with 3M Cleaner and Wax and then a once-over with Collinite wax.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Noah on May 17, 2022, 12:09:10 PM
 :clap
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: KWKloeber on May 17, 2022, 12:54:31 PM
Purdy and shiny!!!
👏👌👍✔️
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Catalina007 on May 17, 2022, 02:23:30 PM
also try using Barkeepers Friend. About $2.50 and does the job.
But ots all short term success.  The gelcoat surface becomes pourus when old and the only real permanent cure is a new paint job at the emd of the day 


   
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Ron Hill on May 17, 2022, 02:59:16 PM
Guys : Barkeepers Friend has Ocylic (sp?) acid in the powders form.  FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) has the same acid in the gel form. 

I was much happier when I moved the water line up - because that small white strip was usually under water anyway (hence the stain).  That's why Gerry Douglas told me that the 3ft+ draft (wing keel) was a design goal which Catalina missed!!  The real draft (C34 loaded) is closer to 4ft 5 in.  So you might as well raise the water line anyway because the boat sits lower in the water than the gelcoat trim was designed for!!!  Save yourself some work each spring!!

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Jim Hardesty on May 17, 2022, 04:22:42 PM
QuoteThe gelcoat surface becomes pourus when old and the only real permanent cure is a new paint job at the emd of the day
My thoughts exactly.  I think if you don't have 2-3 inches of bottom paint above the static water line, consider moving it up. Think painting the white would work.  Really, IMHO, the only ones that get a close look at the hull below the boot stripe are fish and seagulls.  Not the usual sort that I try to impress with a bright white stripe.  Lots of other things much higher on my priority, much to the chagrin of the fish and seagulls. 
Sorry if I sound dismissive but really it's only obvious when the boat's out of the water.
Jim
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Roc on November 05, 2022, 08:40:15 AM
Although this says rust stain remover and waterline stain is not rust, it does wonders for waterline stain.  Was with a friend who was cleaning up his Marshall Catboat and he pulled out this stuff, sprayed it on a sponge, wiped it on and the waterline stain came completely out!  He then sprayed the residual off and the hull looked brand new.

https://www.westmarine.com/star-brite-rust-stain-remover-22-oz.-126823.html

Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Ron Hill on November 05, 2022, 12:22:36 PM
Guys : FSR has NEVER let me down on removing stains.  Another cleaner (I'm told) are the Magic Pads, although I've never tried one!!

A thought
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 06:49:18 AM
As I used to rep CRC chemicals, their marine division is Mary Kate.  I have always used their On-Off, yes it is dangerous but it does a great job.  Pour it into a plastic pail, use a cheap chip brush with natural bristles,3 or 4", wear gloves and hold pail away from you,  the results are amazing.  I have been using this product for years with no problems.  However, Ron, I might raise the water line.
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: KWKloeber on November 07, 2022, 09:38:33 AM
Quote from: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 06:49:18 AM

yes it is dangerous but


What's it base that's dangerous?
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 10:10:48 AM
KW,  maybe the word dangerous should not have been used. There is an acid base in the mix, dangerous if not handled properly meaning you could get an acid burn if you don't wear rubber gloves or if a drop or 2 gets splashed on you.  Also the fumes are not really nice, I hold bucket at arms length. However, it removes the growth at the waterline and the yellow look above the water line.  Used correctly, it does the job.  This product will not harm the gelcoat
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 10:14:30 AM
Another note, if using this product, use rubber gloves that are designed for chemical use, not cheap disposable gloves
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Ron Hill on November 07, 2022, 02:09:18 PM
Jeff : I got tired of that thin white stripe and keeping it clean so I moved the water line up almost 3 inches and covered that white stripe with bottom paint.  Much easier to maintain and I couldn't see that stripe when I was in the cockpit anyway!!!   :D

A thought
Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 05:03:57 PM
Instead of painting the white stripe, I have been using white boot stripe tape , but that gets all munged  up at the water line as the paint does.  Ron, I think your solution to eliminating the stripe and painting over with anti-fowling will solve this problem, as said, once on the boat, stripe can't be seen. Gonna be a long winter, happy holidays to all...Jeff


Title: Re: Stubborn Waterline Stains
Post by: KWKloeber on November 09, 2022, 03:20:27 PM
Quote from: Jeff Kaplan on November 07, 2022, 10:10:48 AM
KW,  maybe the word dangerous should not have been used. There is an acid base in the mix, dangerous if not handled properly meaning you could get an acid burn if you don't wear rubber gloves or if a drop or 2 gets splashed on you.  Also the fumes are not really nice, I hold bucket at arms length. However, it removes the growth at the waterline and the yellow look above the water line.  Used correctly, it does the job.  This product will not harm the gelcoat

No, dangerous is appropriate any time DIY-ers are dealing with acids or strong bases.  What i was wonder is what's the constituents- i looked it up and on-off is basically like 15% HCl.  That's like half strength muriatic acid which is probably a lot le$$ at a big box.  The stuff I buy for work is typically about 30% HCl and around 5 bucks.  There is oxalic in there (which IIRC is the active ingredient in FAR.  IF oxalic (wood bleach) works on the stains that's probably also le$$ at a big box.

If staining persists before repainting (unless one wants to) it should be cleaned, well buffed out, then use a polish/sealer to treat/seal the porous gel coat surface, then Colonite!!