stripes on hull from rail

lee · Post by **lee** » Sun May 16, 2004 7:58 am

Anyone have an idea about how to prevent the stripes on my hull from when the rain drips off of the black anodized rail? I don't want to try to take them off and retreat but they seem to get worse each year.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 16, 2004 7:48 pm

Clean the gelcoat, then use any good quality auto polishing wax. Put a coat or two of teflon inpregnated wax over that. If you do that a couple times a years, the dark streaks will wash off with soap and water.

ads · Post by **ads** » Sun May 16, 2004 8:41 pm

Haven't found anything as effective at lifting oxide stripes from our gelcoat as a good medium- or heavy-duty cutting compound. Apply it with a power polisher and follow this with a good, hard teflon wax. Once a year should do.

Stef · Post by **Stef** » Sun May 30, 2004 7:36 pm

I have applied Polyglow to my hull and I don't seem to be having this problem. Maybe ask some others that have tried this product to see if they have the same result.

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:21 am

We're with Stef. We have used Poli-Glow for the last 2 years and now just a damp wipe clears the drain marks off.

Norwalk-ROTC · Post by **Norwalk-ROTC** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:59 am

I don't know and may be way off base with this. If so, please tell me. I have not experienced this.

I seems to me that prevention rather than clean-up is the question. If that is the case, I think that perhaps a coat of clear enamel or perhaps lacquer sprayed on the toe rail (after it was cleaned and taped off) would be the cure. Even if it had to be done each year, it would be better than having to buff off the streaks 2 or 3 times a year.

Thanks to all who have suggested their methods of cleaning them off and protecting the gelcoat.

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:18 am

It is usually not residue from the rail. Anodized aluminum doesn't shed. What you get is the run-off from the rains which has pulled down all kinds of airborne materials. These drain out of the rail and blend with the oxidized gel coat, hence the need for elbow grease. Sealing the gel coat is the best prevention against excessive cleaning. Wax is commonly used, Poli-Glow is an alternative.

Stef · Post by **Stef** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 7:16 pm

OK, the Polyglow works well but after 3 months in the water I too have fallen victim to those black streaks.
While browsing around my dads garage I come across "Black Streak Remover" by Camco, designed for RV's. My biggest concern was it would remove the Polyglow altogether, not so. I used it straight out of the spray bottle and within 15 minutes my boat hull looks as good as the day I put it in. My dad thought he bought it at a Walmart in the RV section.