Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

[petermb72]

I purchased a Glastron GX 185 S/F and it looks like someone used spraypaint next to the boat and there is a fine mist of white dots on the side of the boat. You can see it on the blue part of the side of the boat, and I am sure that it is all over the whole side, decals and the white as well. I tried car rubbing compound (red stuff) on a small part and it looked to take it off as well as smoothed out the gelcoat. Should I continue along this track or is there something else I should try first?

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Yea if the boat has had paint on it and it has ever rained in it then you should replace your stringers. The foam is wet and the moon will crash into the earth and the fork ran over the spoon and the cat jumped over the moon and the itsy bitsy spider is in your electronics. Just kidding though. Is it spotty enough like its just spots here and there? I have used commet on a Q-tip to get small paint dots off of boats. That way you dont just use a whole wipe-down of the entire boat. Like how bad is it? Everyone here can help you!

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Yea if the boat has had paint on it and it has ever rained in it then you should replace your stringers. The foam is wet and the moon will crash into the earth and the fork ran over the spoon and the cat jumped over the moon and the itsy bitsy spider is in your electronics. Just kidding though. Is it spotty enough like its just spots here and there? I have used commet on a Q-tip to get small paint dots off of boats. That way you dont just use a whole wipe-down of the entire boat. Like how bad is it? Everyone here can help you!

Ummm??

Rubbing compound is fine, you'll just need to wax it very well afterwards because it will seirously dull the finish. Otherwise try mineral spirts, sometimes Goo Gone or other citrius based cleaners, clay bar, baby oil. Avoid solvents and other harsh chemicals as they may melt the gelcoat.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Yea if the boat has had paint on it and it has ever rained in it then you should replace your stringers. The foam is wet and the moon will crash into the earth and the fork ran over the spoon and the cat jumped over the moon and the itsy bitsy spider is in your electronics. Just kidding though. Is it spotty enough like its just spots here and there? I have used commet on a Q-tip to get small paint dots off of boats. That way you dont just use a whole wipe-down of the entire boat. Like how bad is it? Everyone here can help you!

Huh ?
Use Acetone,wont hurt gelcoat,and will remove spray paint.You will have to re-wax area after.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

yup, acetone works perfectly.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

couple of other things to try 1st is denatured alcohol that softens latex or acrylic base paints.OR 2nd brush and roller cleaner be careful with that one ,do a test spot that is for hardened paint.

 

[petermb72]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Thanks for the tips, the white dots are very small and almost all the way along one side of the boat. It must of been sitting in a garage when someone was doing some painting. Also I would guess that the paint is at least two years old. So I think i will start with the goo gone, then some of the other things. Any other tips would be great.

Thanks again,
Peter

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

DO NOT USE ACETONE! The decals will melt! In the original post you mentioned that it was showing up more on the decals than the gel. Using acetone will be disasterous to the decals.

Chuck

 

[TN-25]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

How oxidized is the finish? If it isn't too far gone you could try what I use every spring; a Clay Bar!

What you do is wet a 2' x 2' area with the stuff that comes in the kit, then swipe repeatedly with the clay bar. You may have to knead it to turn the darkened and dirty area inward. Keep on going with it and you will remove casual overspray, tar and dead paint. The thing is once you are done you MUST wax the hull afterwards. Car detailing places keep the clay bar as a trade secret. I don't sell them, I buy them because they do work. Give it a shot.

Cleanups should go from the least destructive method on up. Good luck and be prepared with the Absorbine Junior!

 

[Surffx]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Mr Clean magic eraser might be worth a try.

 

[petermb72]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

On the clay bar, I see that there are some kits out there like from Mothers, etc... I assume that you use the clay like an eraser? Does it leave a film you need to remove afterwards?

 

[petermb72]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Thank you to everyone that has posted here giving me advice.

 

[Blaze5509]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

On the clay bar, I see that there are some kits out there like from Mothers, etc... I assume that you use the clay like an eraser? Does it leave a film you need to remove afterwards?

After running the clay you will want to wash it down then apply some wax on it...I am a newb to boating but take pride in my vehicles and they get clayed once a year...Wash with dawn dishwashing soap (degrease), clay with the mothers kit, wash with standard car wash soap, then seal/wax you'll have a finish that is better than new

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

On the clay bar, I see that there are some kits out there like from Mothers, etc... I assume that you use the clay like an eraser? Does it leave a film you need to remove afterwards?

Not so much like the rubbing motion of an eraser. Kind of press it to the hull and kneed it around in a firm rolling motion. Keep working it around and you can usually see its color change as it picks up mpre contamination and lifts it out. Should not leave a film but will require waxing because it will remove any on the gelcoat at the time.

 

[petermb72]

Re: Remove Spray paint overspray from Gelcoat

Just a FYI I used the clay bar and it worked great! Took all the overspray paint off the side of the boat and also cleaned up the rest of the hull! Thanks for all the help.

Peter

By the way, I have never gotten a shine like that on my car when I used the clay bar!