Cleaning up dried varnish from fiberglass

[hd002e]

Previous owner kept up with the brightwork in the head but smeared varnish on fiberglass surfaces and never bothered to clean up. Fast forward a few years and I am looking to clean it up from a textured surface.

I habe access to a oot of chemicals but before I get started messing about, I’d like to get some input on what to try. How do I get dried varnish off textured fiberglass surfaces? Thank you!

[neilpride]

Masking tape on the varnish that you want to preserve ,and be very careful with the heat gun, make a test, do not expose the heat for a long time, when bubbles begin to appear, smooth with the scraper or a hard bristle brush.

[Orion Jim]

As stated above. The problem is that the gel coat is porous so a discoloration may remain. Judicious light sanding with a mild abrasive pad or bronze wool may help.

[s/v Jedi]

No, sanding, stripping etc. won’t work. You need to mask the varnished wood and refinish the fiberglass.

[Avionics_Joe]

Mask the varnished wood and try sudsy ammonia. This is what my mother had me use when stripping varnish from "antiques" she bought.

Note, good air flow is a must!

[Jammer]

I've tried to solve this myself before and have failed. It may depend somewhat on the kind of varnish being used, and its condition.

[Flatswing]

I have had great success with West Marine Aqua strip to remove old dried varnish from non skid FRP decks, so should work in your situation. If any residual staining, use FSR (Fiberglas Stain Remover) or equivalent such as Barkeeper’s friend etc.

[tronic72]

Try acetone on ear buds near the edges and ones you’ve gone the edges use a rag with more . Worked for me for the same issue

[tronic72]

I mean edges where the varnish meets the Gelcoat

[tronic72]

FYI don’t use paint stripper it can dissolve the Gelcoat

[tronic72]

Ps use tape on the varnish as suggested above