Panic mode...need good cleaning suggestions

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DancerDave

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I took the cover off my boat and made the mistake of leaving it under the oak trees as they were blooming. After I hosed off the seeds or pods that fell off the tree, they left a brown stain that won't come off. I have tried buff magic, westley's bleach white, soft scrub, magic eraser, baking soda...nothing is taking it off. Any suggestions? Some of these probably weren't good to use on gel coat but I have nothing to lose at this point.
 
Bleach and sun. I bought a sailboat a couple of years ago (offwhite topsides) filled with leaves and mold. I used soft scrub with bleach and left it in the sun. After the stains bleached out in the sun I waxed it. Looked like new.
 
"a brown stain "

Tannin from the oak. Use "Barkeeper's Friend", or other oxalic acid cleanser. Just dampen, sprinkle on a layer of cleanser, then wait... Later, rinse off.

Should require little scrubbing ( esp since the tannin leached into the gel coat and in "internal" vs surface discoloration ).

In my opinion.
 
spray on some muriatic acid (get it at Home Depot)and it will be gone in 5-6 seconds with no scrubbing whatsoever. Hose it off with water after the stain disappears.
 
fwiw:

Yup. Muriatic will work ( high strength hydrochloric acid ) but you risk etching metals nearby and it requires the same safety and handling care as any other strong acid. The oxalic will work. It, too, is cheap but does not carry the heavy duty chemical safety restrictions. But yes, either will accomplish the task.

( I've used both. I prefer to use the one that is easy, comfortable and inexpensive. For me, that is Barkeeper's friend. I reserve muriatic for cleaning barnacle nymphs off the bottom of the boat, and I wear eye and everything else protection. )
 
FSR- Fiberglass Stain Remover. Works wonders. And yes the sun will bleach it out, first hand experience here.
 
Use On-Off. Very strong acid based product so be careful. It will clean those stains.
 
Thanks everyone, I will try them one at a time to see what works.
 
Between the FSR and the Barkeepers Friend most of the stains are gone...great stuff. Thanks for the help.
 
dont get any strong chemicals on aluminum window frames.
 
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