Anyone know of an easy way (i.e. not rubbing compound and elbow grease) to remove diesel soot from boat hulls?

Acetone will do it...just don't try on a painted surface unless you've tested it first.

Rubbing alcohol or Ethanol will also do a good job and are less harmful to paint.

Didn't have any luck with acetone, but probably I let it go too long. I'll try acetone again as soon as the soot starts to get noticeable.

FSR might do the trick. That's the brand name of a fiberglass cleaning product (FSR stands for Fiberglass Stain Remover). It's a gel that you rub on, let sit, and then wipe off. Works great for many stains and should be available locally.

Many of the stain remover products are oxalic acid based. If you can't find a proprietary product, mix your own.

Cheshirecatman

"If you can't find a proprietary product, mix your own."

Unless you're a Chemist, NEVER mix your own! I think I learned that in 8th grade science. NEVER mix unknown chemicals. Leave that to the professionals unless you have a death wish.

Lee

Auhhh, now we know why that 5.8 move so well in light air...lol..You may wish to try Simple-Green or GUNK in a spray can..both are good with carbonized soils. GUNK (solventized emulsion) being a good deal stronger. After the hulls are cleaned well, take a look at the new Poly-barrier coatings. These protect the porus jel-coat (on older or sanded hulls)and help retard future staining...

Try Oops!

Simple solution in water!!! Is that beyond most catsailors ability???

Cheshirecatman

Detergent and hot water applied with a sponge should do a pretty good job?

Have you tried asking your local ship chandler?
I know that there is special stuff available to clean oil stains, used it on my parents boat once but I forgot what it was called.
(Actually Shell Oil gave it to us after they caused an oil spill in the harbour).

http://www.jeepfan.com/revpost/data/40/Gunk-EngineBrite.jpg

I'm not sure if there is anything special about diesel soot. My first thought is Snobol Toilet bowl cleaner. Just wipe it on and wait about a minute and wipe it off with a bucket of water. Wear gloves!!! After clean throw some speed glaze on there or whatever you use as a "wax" or "non wax wax". If you don't the pours are open and will stain easily with the next splash in dirty water.

Mike Hill
N20 1005

Thanks for all the advice. I think it just must have got too deeply imbeded into the gelcoat for surface cleaners to work because I was lazy and let it accumulate for too long.

And I get a lot of soot because I've got a non-turbo diesel and I regularly tow over a 7000' pass.

7000'??? Around here you need a bridge to get a 100'-150'! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Elevation at my homestead is +32' (and I'm on high ground!)

Get a turbo!

Clayton

End of hijack

Denatured Alchohol works every time

In the coast guard we used denatured alcohol. with the cheap coast guard paint then we started to paint the stern with a high quality "Sterling" paint. then it justs wipes off. no wax. If its old and pourus and you get it clean, seal it with something like "rain -x" or avaition window cleaner for plastic windows "miguares" once its sealed it should just wipe off with a sponge.