Yellowing of the fiberglass

[Rayray]

Hey Compadres!!!

I have 260 Sundancer I keep it in wet slip and always back it in the slip so I can access the boat from the dock to the platform. However, the bow slightly sticks out of the covered slip and I notice the there is some yellowing of the fiberglass on top of the deck. What is it and how do I buff it out?

 

[Dave S]

If you (or someone else) used a synthetic polymer polish on the gel coat, that could yellow on you over time. Generally speaking, the good ones don't do that anymore but just the same that is what I am guessing it is. Many polymer polishes can be removed with rubbing alcohol. You might try a little on a cotton ball to see if it comes off. If it doesn't then you will probably have to use a polishing compound to get it off. I would try experimenting just a bit to see what works.

 

[Rayray]

The boat is new 2006 and I have not yet used any polish on it execpt clean it down with simple green and dry it with a absorbent leather. It seems kind of faded. I will try some alcohol but does that not remove the gel coat??

 

[Dave S]

If it hasn't been polished or "waxed" then don't bother with the alcohol. Maybe the discoloration could just be from contaminents on the gel coat since it didn't have any (wax) protection on it. Personally I like to wax my boat a minimum of twice a year.

I guess at this point you might want to first try a mild polishing compound to see if that restores the color. Or you could try something like Meguair's One Step Compound which contains a mild rubbing compound and wax in one product.

There are many other products on the market that are also suitable.

 

[goblue]

The nonskid on my swim platform used to yellow. That was the only part of my boat that I did not wax. I believe it is UV damage. I was alway able to get the bright white back buy using Tidy Bowl cleaner on the nonskid. If you use a product like that, you really need to follow up with a good wax product. I would alway get some of the cleaner on surrounding gel coat, but the wax would get the shine back and there was no damage to the finish over many years of cleaning. I still use the product on the current boat when the platform yellows and it cleans it right up.

 

[H2ONUT]

I would STOP using Simple Green to wash the boat. Get a "boat soap" for washing. It is possible the yellowing is from the Simple Green. I know using vinegar in a spray bottle will clean a lot of discoloration, but will need to be waxed right away. The same with the Simple Green, it will remove any protection that is on there.

 

[Half Off]

I agree with goblue, I had the same condition on the '06 240 I just traded in. The only yellowing I got was on the non skid portion of the bow where I did not wax. I tried a few different cleaners and with a little elbow grease it did brighten back up. Sounds like Tidy Bowl might work easier.

 

[wickeral]

Tidy Bowl works but is very harsh. Go to your Hardware store and buy some Oxcylic Acid. It is primarily used by wood workers to brighten old wood. Wear gloves and apply it when the Sun is not around. Works great! Al W. (No, it doesn't harm the Gelcoat).

 

[Dave S]

If it's just the non-skid then try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

 

[beachcombersc]

Go to your Hardware store and buy some Oxcylic Acid. It is primarily used by wood workers to brighten old wood. Wear gloves and apply it when the Sun is not around. Works great! Al W. (No, it doesn't harm the Gelcoat).

This is the BEST advise anyone has said. The stuff is awsome for yellowing... Its not too bad on the wallet too.

 

[StevenA]

This is the BEST advise anyone has said. The stuff is awsome for yellowing... Its not too bad on the wallet too.

Anything with the word Acid in it makes me nervous. Any particular procedure you use, straight product followed by rinse then wax or just product and rinse ?? Thanx, Steve.

 

[wickeral]

Steve, The word Acid in itself only describes the compound makeup by PH. Go under your sink at home and you'll see lots of Acids used for household cleaning. As for Oxalic Acid, do not be afraid but use it wisely. Many people do not realize that anything that we touch will travel threw our skin and that's to be concerned with. As for stain removal. Make a paste and apply. Let stand for an adequate amount of time and rinse with water. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is also a great help. Keep these away from children as they can cause burns to the skin. I use them all the time to whiten the seats in our Sea Ray 250. Al W.

 

[Alex D]

Mr.Clean MAgic Erasers work great on all kinds of dirt that are difficult or impossible to remove with other cleaners, but they will not remove fiberglass yellowing. It is a discoloring of the top gelcoat layer. Really the only way to remove it is wet sanding. You'll see if you ever have to remove a scratch and wet sand the repair paste down or if you wet sand a small scratch out of the gel coat.