Black Streaks are driving me crazy - suggestions please

L

Loose Cannon

Member
Apr 2, 2010
164
Havre de Grace, MD
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Between boats
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I am noticing a lot more black streaks on my boat this year; this seems to be consistent with everyone in my marina. We've had a lot of rain so should I assume this is dirt collecting in the canvas cover and spilling out onto the fiberglass? The white areas of my boat look terrible every weekend after a good cleaning the week before.

What are the best ways to remove the black streaks without stripping the wax? Boat soap and water will not remove everything (I have a pretty decent wax/polish on the boat). Just tried Starbrite black streak remover on a few spots and it seemed to work fairly well; however, I am nervous about using this on larger affected areas. One of the guys in my marina uses rolloff which seems pretty harsh.

Suggestions?
 
I know this was discussed a week or so ago but nobody had a 'cure all' type answer. The rain and canvas are the culprits and it seems like everybody has them. I agree, I have a great wax job on my boat and clean weekly and the black streaks drive me crazy!
 
Meguiers cleaner/wax works great. I use it all the time for these black dirt streaks.
 
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Keep the canvas clean (as in wash with soft brush every time you wash the boat) and you will notice a huge improvement.
 
Agree with above - the only way to really help is to keep the canvas clean. Keeping up with the "waterproofing" helps, too.

As far as removing the streaks - anything more aggressive than boat soap (or something like Serious Shine or other "quick cleans") will remove the wax. A cleaner/wax is fine, but the downfall is you're not putting a high quality wax on.

I use the Collinite paste wax and "most" of the time (if I get to it quickly), I can wipe the streaks off with a wet rag. If not, boat soap is all I need for 95% of the streaks. Serious Shine does the last 5% and won't remove the wax.

I don't like the "she's been crying so much her mascara is running" look!
 
The Black Streak Remover from West Marine works pretty well. I use it with a damp rag.
 
Pollution, Power plant carbon emissions etc all get caught in the fabric, and build up on the top sides.

My experienc eis: Get used to it.

BUT meanwhile do this, keep your canvas clean. Scrub it using a soft brush ( blue fibers is marine code for most brush makers for soft) and boat soap (two cap fulls to a 1 1/2 gallon bucket and scrub it followed by a good rinse.

Then treat the canvas with StarBrite silicone solution. Clean as above, then lay out the dry canvas on the dock and apply silicone liberally with a foal roller to saturate the fabric ( keep solution off the glass). Allow to dry, repeat with a second coat.

Then wax the topsides with a really good boat wax. I prefer 3M Boat Wax, Perhaps two applications, buffed up to a really slick finish.

Then wash weekly using a very mild non was stripping boat soap. I have used for years WM's "Crystal Boat Soap" with just 2 - 3 cap fulls in two-three gallons of water.

This will remove early build up of rain streaks and don't forget the canvas as well.

Wax the top sides frequently in the most egregious streak areas. Keep the surfaces clean, slick and washed.

It's all you can do.
 
I agree to get the canvas clean and then treat it with 303. As far as the streaks are concerned, SeaPower is a great product for cleaning those up.
(Keep in mind, if you can find Gel Gloss at an RV retailer, it's the exacct same product as SeaPower, it's just marketed for the RV market and is less expensive)
 
If the boat has a good coat of wax, I just use the Maguire's quick detailer with a rag and it just wipes right off and it puts a coat of protection on as well.
 
Update to my original post: Starbrite black streak remover appeared to strip wax from my boat even though it states it will not do so. Tried Rolloff and it worked great and so far does not seem to strip wax at all. I used Rolloff on some large areas that had stubborn black areas; all looks well now and still shines and beads. I have started following advice of others: washing the canvas regularly and plan to treat with 303.
 
sswall1969 said:
Update to my original post: Starbrite black streak remover appeared to strip wax from my boat even though it states it will not do so. Tried Rolloff and it worked great and so far does not seem to strip wax at all. I used Rolloff on some large areas that had stubborn black areas; all looks well now and still shines and beads. I have started following advice of others: washing the canvas regularly and plan to treat with 303.
Click to expand...

Roll-Off is still removing your wax, but because it leaves a wax-like residue it's just masking that. Try using it in a very light concentration (4:1, or less if it works for you) and you should be OK if you have a good quality wax.
 
Nehalennia said:
I agree to get the canvas clean and then treat it with 303. As far as the streaks are concerned, SeaPower is a great product for cleaning those up.
(Keep in mind, if you can find Gel Gloss at an RV retailer, it's the exacct same product as SeaPower, it's just marketed for the RV market and is less expensive)
Click to expand...

Todd, Home Depot sells Gel Gloss in the plumbing section.
 
sferguson: which starbrite polish are you referrring to? The Starbrite Premium Marine Polish with PTFE? That leaves a haze for me sometimes but the cleaner wax looks really good; I have both on the boat already (Cleaner Wax coat then Polish with PTFE) but will try using for the streaks as well.
 
Like i said before Meguiars cleaner/wax works great.
 
Plexus will do a fantastic job and leave your wax in better shape than you started a little pricey but do a google search and price match west marine !!!!!!!
 
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