Help Removing Hard Water Spots on Gel Coat

D

DarinSchmidtMN

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2008
RO Number
30712
Messages
48
Years ago someone had recommended a mixture of white vinegar and water to remove hard water deposits on gel coat. Can anyone verify if this works? I know in a worse-case scenario I could buff them out, but I was hoping to not be buffing anytime soon, since I already buffed the boat.

Thanks!!
 
Whink tales them off window glass quite easily. Never tried it on fiberglass tho. It can etch window glass if left on too long. I rub it over area I want to clean & immediately rinse well. Could try it on some hidden fiberglass to see if it affects it at all.
 
Whink does work very well on glass like Bob says above and take the care that he talks about, rinse it quickly.

I'd try the vinegar and water on a concealed spot first before I hit the hard stuff like Whink.

This is the Whink product Bob is talking about, they have many different products.

http://www.whink.com/rust_stain_remover.htm
 
Use it all the time on my boat. The AC compressor water out tends to splash and causes a lot of water spots. When I go to wash the boat I just spray the boat with a bottle we filled with half distilled vinegar and half water. Let it sit for a minute or so then use the brush and soap to clean it off. When they were real bad I had to do it a couple of times to get them all off. I have not seen any degradation of the wax or gel coat. Still nice and shiny. I would recommend trying it in a hidden spot first. I learned this trick when I used to pressure wash houses. It works great on just about anything.
 
Thanks, I will give the vinegar and water a shot first and see how well it works. My real "problem area" is toward the bow, on the sides. You know, the most difficult part of the boat to get to when she's in the water! :-)
 
Bath, Tub and Tile cleaner in the spray bottle, not the foam kind. Just spray it on and wipe it down. Works on Awlgrip also.
 
If all of the above doesn't work, BUFF MAGIC to the rescue.

IT should be able to take them out and at the same time bring it back to like new condition.
 
To prevent water spots, dry the fiberglass with an absorbent cloth before the water spots dry. Much easier then rubbing them out later. BTW, vinegar is safe on just about any surface including fiberglass and will not remove the wax. If the area is too difficult to reach to dry with a cloth, then try spraying the area while wet with the vinegar water. That may prevent the water spots from adhering to the fiberglass.
 
The water spots I am referring to are from the river water splashing onto the boat, up under bow......not the easiest place to towel dry each time water splashes there! LOL. Thanks for the recommendations everyone, I think I will try the vinegar/water mix. I think it was white vinegar, not "regular" vinegar, but I will have to try it and see if it works.
 
Even straight vinegar doesn't work on salt water deposits on window glass. Either an abrasive product with elbow grease or rub on rinse off Whink. Even glass stove top cleaner works but again rub, rub, rub. Polishing compound (white) works; watered down rubbing compound (red) also.
 
I don't know why no one has mentioned "Ducky". I just used it again this weekend on the hull. I sprayed the entire side (43'), and then followed with a small towel that I zip-tie to my deck brush. I use that to simply wipe off the product. What's left behind is a spotless and smooth surface. I have used Ducky on three boats with superb results. We have very hard water here that spots easily.

Paul
 
OK, what is this "Ducky"? Can only find references to Ducky's Car washes. Where does one buy this?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bob J

OK, what is this "Ducky"? Can only find references to Ducky's Car washes. Where does one buy this?

Click to expand...
I honestly can't remember where I got it. They do sell it at most of our local boat stores here. I just googled it and found their website. http://www.duckyproducts.com/

I'm sure you locate a dealer via the website, or you try locating it on Amazon and buying it through their portal.

Paul
 
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