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 Cleaning cockpit hatch covers ?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/24/2011 :  06:25:48  Show Profile
Here's a new one for us...apparently during this recent week w/ temps in the 100+ range for so long, and direct sun making the surfaces even hotter, whenever a bug (fly, mosquito, etc...) would alight onto the surface of the cockpit hatch covers they would 'fry' in place, leaving behind blood stains on the fiberglass...first time we've ever seen this in 6 years...the challenge is cleaning the fiberglass...there are dozens of small (1/4" - 1/2") blood stains all over the aft end of the cockpit, both sides - but not really on the sole, just the hatch covers.

Soap and water, scrub brushing did nothing to remove the stains although the burnt exoskeletons did wash away - am considering something stronger but don't want to damage the surface.

Thoughts

Many thanks - stay cool!!
Jerry
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2011 :  07:02:37  Show Profile
Soft Scrub with bleach (watch your clothes) or anything with some oxalic acid. (Barkeeper's Friend is a bit too abrasive, although you can smear a little on and then just rinse it off.)
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2011 :  07:27:35  Show Profile
Once you clean off the <i>body parts</i>, any remaining stains will most probably be bleached away by the sun . . .
Edited by - OJ on 07/24/2011 08:32:39
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2011 :  07:31:34  Show Profile
Yup--the same is true for leaf (tannin) stains, if you can wait.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2011 :  11:26:33  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
I'd second Soft Scrub, we keep a small bottle of it on the boat, and Dave's right about watching your clothes, it'll definitely bleach them for you (ask me how I know...).

If the stains are particularly recalcitrant, oxalic acid is a good way to go, FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) is a commercially available blue goo that is basically just jelled oxalic acid, and I've heard ketchup works well (citric acid), but I've not tried it myself. You can also buy oxalic acid crystals at Home Depot/Lowes or woodworking stores, for way-way cheaper than FSR or any other "marine" preparations and mix up a bottle of it yourself. I have to say FSR is pretty handy because of the jelled state, it sticks really well to vertical surfaces, and it definitely works well. I was able to remove about 6-7 years of stains on my old San Juan 21 before I sold it to make it look a whole lot better.
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2011 :  17:49:39  Show Profile
Soft Scrub with bleach with a Scotch-brite scour pad for the smooth surfaces and a medium-stiff scrub brush for the non-skid. Worked like a charm for me!
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Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts
Response Posted - 07/25/2011 :  11:13:25  Show Profile  Visit Ryan L's Homepage
I second the votes for FSR.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.