Help! Oil Staining On Grp All Around Waterline

[simonmd]

Just been into a marina to fuel up in Majorca and when we were there, noticed some oil in the water. As soon as I could, we left and achored outside in clean water and I jumped in with a sponge but the damage is done. All arround the hull, dark grey wavey stains all sunk into the GRP and wont budge even with a soft kitchen type scrubbing sponge.

So, what's the best way to tackle this, is a lift out and professional chemicals the only way?

[belizesailor]

There is a commercial product called "On-Off" which works but, it opens up the gel coat, so you must clean and re-wax immediately or it will stain even worse. Don't recall th active ingredient, pretty potent stuff. You might try to find out what is in this stuff and mix up something similar.

[simonmd]

Thanks, I take it this needs to be done dry, ie out of the water? I'm trying to get as much info as I can as i'll be speaking to the management of the marina tomorrow with regards to their liability. One of the staff has told me they knew about the contamination that morning (I was there at 3pm) so my argument is as they never put a boom out or warned me when i entered, they must be liable.

[colemj]

No, it is easily done in the water. Just get some on-off (you could probably get the same result with muratic acid) and use a brush from the dinghy to apply it. That's it - no rinsing needed. Don't get it on you and wear gloves.

Or do what I mostly do when we get a stain somewhere: simply enjoy cruising and let the sun eventually bleach everything back to white!

Mark