Used Oil vs Fiberglass

[mfeene01]

We had a used motor oil spill on our deck a few days ago. Wiped up the spill and cleaned the deck as best I could at the imte. Since then I've tried everything I can think of to remove the stains it left behind.

We would appreciate any experienced knowledge or even just ideas.

Don't think it matters but the boat is a Fountaine Pajot Tobago.

Tanx in advance.

MikeF

[s/v Jedi]

Did you try a pressure washer?

cheers,
Nick.

[atoll]

had this problem a while back on a boat with a slightly faded gel coat,we used
"jif" (white oven cleaner paste type liquid).
problem is it is quite abrasive and left the gel coat less faded,so ended up doing the whole cockpit and polishing with silicon wax.

you could also try with engine degreaser or oven cleaner as not abrasive,but it will leach out the wax in the gelcoat making it nessacary to polish after with silicon polish to get a uniform shine.

failing that white spirit will work but DONT use acetone..

[donradcliffe]

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-Clea.../dp/B003XPJBFO

[capn_billl]

I would try a good detergent first, then if that doesn't work, try slowely more agressive measures. The problem is yes there are a lot of things that will disolve engine oil, just remember plastic is basically polymerized oil. Be carefull with harsher solvents, and good luck.

Mild bleaching agents will remove the color after a detergent has removed most of the oil, just remember the above warning. try a small unobtrusive spot first to see if it liquifies the plastic.

[F15EWSO]

I like Castrol SuperClean for degreasing. There are two issues here. The oil, that will be the easy part to remove. Secondly the "stain". I would clean as indicated above with what "works" for you and then if you can stand it see if mother nature and the sun can finish removing the stain. Going with an agressive approach (at least immediatley gratifying) may prove too agressive to the finish in the long run. Clean gently as best you can now and then take another look at it in 3-4 weeks if you can stand it.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by F15EWSO

I like Castrol SuperClean for degreasing. There are two issues here. The oil, that will be the easy part to remove. Secondly the "stain". I would clean as indicated above with what "works" for you and then if you can stand it see if mother nature and the sun can finish removing the stain. Going with an agressive approach (at least immediatley gratifying) may prove too agressive to the finish in the long run. Clean gently as best you can now and then take another look at it in 3-4 weeks if you can stand it.

Yes, the weather will take care of it when you give it time. But the pressure washer will flush out a lot, making it easier to wait out the rest.

cheers,
Nick.

[David M]

Acetone will not damage gelcoat. Try that as well.

Gelcoat is porous and the oil is down in the pores. You may have to remove the upper layer with extremely fine wet or dry sand paper (1200 grit or higher..try higher first) and then use rubbing compound progressively, down to the finest rubbing compound. But try all the other ideas before resorting to this. (The least extreme measures first)

[gmau]

Acetone works for me. It does take off wax. The fiberglass workers use lots of acetone when working on boats.

Gordon

[JayCall]

Try Barkeepers Friend-similar to a Comet cleanser, in any grocery store-it is oxalyc acid and should take out the stain, but even though a bit gritty does not scratch. Great stuff.

[David M]

You have to be careful with putting acids on gelcoat. It can damage the color. Petroleum is the problem...use something that dissolves petroleum. An acid is not the same thing.