Diesel stain on gelcoat - Montana Owners Club

c214dick · 01-04-2011, 09:31 AM

On our way to Fl we were behind a tractor, w/o trailer. It was putting out a lot of smoke from it's stacks when we realized we were getting "stuff" on our windshield. It turned out to be diesel fuel and as the weather was cold and we were on the hwy, we did not notice how bad until we were able to stop at the first rest stop.

I was able toclean the windshield but was unable to do anything with the rest of the unit until now, 6 days later. We tried Dawn direct and diluted it did take some off when applied directly. We also were given Awsome which worked the same as dawn. It's a slow process and I will be contacting the insurance company to see if they can send someone to clean it for us.

I have been told to use a diesel stain remover for boats so will check that out as well. Any other suggestions?

nosticks · 01-04-2011, 10:08 AM

Dick, find a West Marine store or some similar type and pick up some FSR. It's green, looks like and has the consistency of pig snot. It is a slimy green gel that you wipe on fiberglass wait a few moments and rinse off. It will cling to a vertical surface. It will even remove fish blood and rust stains. I have used it on my cruising boats for years. We even had a red wine stain on some light colored Formica, this stuff removed it in a few moments. It did not harm the glass. Last time I bought it cost $6, probably $10 now. Worth a try.

**Rondo** · 01-04-2011, 10:49 AM

Dick and Dave-- Very interesting thread! I'll be keeping an eye on it and see what progresses!
Dave-- What will the FSR do to the decals or graphics on the front of the Montana? Will it dissolve the glue on the graphics and make them peel?
Dick and Louise-- Glad you two finally made it out of IL and headed South to the Warm Country! Where will you be staying down there. Keep in touch-- PM me and I'll send you our email address if you don't have it already. Have a great winter down there and hope to see you this spring or at least this coming summer at the Central Plains Rally. Who knows, we may even see you down in Florida if we head South ourselves if this cold weather gets to us up here in Nebraska!

rotti · 01-04-2011, 11:02 AM

Have you tried WD40? Also works on black streaks.. Wont hurt decals or paint..

Good Luck!

nosticks · 01-04-2011, 01:22 PM

I have never had a problem with FSR. I have not used it on decals, but it is not like some aggressive cleaners, non petrochemical.

c214dick · 01-05-2011, 03:00 AM

Thanks all. We contacted Progressive and they are sending out an adjuster to look at it. WD40 did not work.

capn chris · 01-05-2011, 03:47 AM

I've had good luck w/a spray cleaner called "Roll-Off." It's a marine product for cleaning fiberglass, like diesel stains. Wet the surface, spray on, rub it around, and wait 5-10 minutes. Hose it off. Look for it at boat stores.

Crossthread · 01-05-2011, 05:22 AM

c214dick, If the fuel or oil got on the side of the unit, it's on the roof too. Have that included in the insurance adjustment. Bill

c214dick · 01-05-2011, 08:21 AM

Thanks Bill, I will. I'm still waiting for a call back from the person who will actually do the inspection. I'm hoping that whatever the process is that it will really screw up my front decals and I can get them replaced as well.

c214dick · 01-07-2011, 11:47 AM

The insurance adjuster has come and gone. She did go on the roof and did not see any evidence of staining. The recommendation is to power wash first and than buff it out. She does not want to use the marine type cleaners as the boat fiber glass is different from the gelcoat. She did check with a couple of "specialists" and these are their recommendations. We are waiting for the final quote b4 deciding on our next course of action.

summers · 01-08-2011, 03:44 PM

One product you might try is "Meguiars 85 Diamond Cut compound 2.0". One warning is if your gel coat is oxidized you may have to do the whole trailer. I used this on my 10 yr. old SOB 5th wheel to remove the oxidation and it made the trailer look new again, it's the only product I've found to really remove the oxidation and bring the gel coat back to new looking. I bought it at a automotive body shop & paint store, it didn't hurt it anything and should remove the stains. I think it cost me about $30 for 32 oz. I used abuffer but the shine was completely gone on my trailer. Hope this helps and good luck.

c214dick · 01-08-2011, 05:11 PM

Thanks all. Today I finally was able to wash all the c--p off my truck. Tomorrow I will spend the day waxing it. By Monday I should have the quote from Progressive. I think the way it works is that they will cut me a check for the average of the two quotes. less my deductible, and than I can contract to have it cleaned. If that is the case, I will try and at least clean the sides of the trailer first using some of the products recommended. If that works out, I will contract a local power washer. I have some relatives in the area who could use some extra $ and are in the automotive business so I will contact them to finish the job. Maybe that way I won't be out of pocket.

Jay Bird · 01-09-2011, 08:29 AM

What a bummer. Let us know how this turns out. This is a lesson to remember.

snfexpress · 01-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Try this product: Zcleaner. It works better than anything I have ever tried. No real effort required to clean the 5er. I was given a sample at the boat show and swap meet, tried it and ordered it.

c214dick · 01-10-2011, 07:46 AM

Just heard from the adjuster. They are authorizing power wash and hand wax. They did not authorize the buffing, yet. They used one of the companies that I had supplied them with who only does power wash and hand wax. I told her that I already tried hand waxing in a small area and it did not work. Considering my deductible and the price from the company I gave them, the check will be pretty small. So I will start trying some other products and my nieces and nephews. While we were waiting we have been working on it with the Total Awsome that we bought. It is taking a lot off but there still is some staining left behind.

bncinwv · 01-10-2011, 08:40 AM

I use Soft-Scrub on my boat for each annual cleaning, but be forewarned, it will remove all wax. It takes everything off of the boat (except for bottom scum). Another stronger option is to use a bowl cleaner product (Dollar General - The Works) that contains acid. I use it to clean the bottom scum off of the boat. Use it sparingly and wipe immediately if you go this route. These products will not affect the gel-coat but will require extensive re-waxing and/or polishing. Someone stated that boat gel-coat and rv gel-coat are different (which I did not know) so as with any product (if you are brave enough to try this) it may benefit you to try a small inconspicuous area first. I am monitoring this thread to remember the eventual solution in the event that I ever experience what you are going through!! I do not recommend using these products on the graphics!!!!
Bingo
Bingo

c214dick · 01-10-2011, 10:40 AM

So here's the latest, I hope. The power wash company just happened to drive by this PM. They generally do drive throughs looking for business. I asked them to take a close look at the Monte to see if what they quoted would be enough. They tried a couple of items w/o any luck and than took out the wax that they would be using. It was like magic as it took off 90% of the area that they tried. They said no prob to removing all of the stain when the buffer would be applied. They did say that it might be $25 more than what they quoted the insurance company but who cares.
Wednesday AM they will be here.

bncinwv · 01-10-2011, 01:21 PM

So if I understand your update correctly, the wax that they will be applying removed the stains?? Just curious.
Bingo

c214dick · 01-10-2011, 04:18 PM

The wax they used, by hand, did remove most of the stain. They only applied it to a small area, square foot, to see if it worked. There was a slight stain left but they are confident it will all be removed when they use a buffer. They will be here Wednesday morning to wash and wax. Hopefully I wil find out what they used and post it.

c214dick · 01-12-2011, 10:39 AM

$300 later, we look like a new unit. Even the tattered edges on the front decals have been trimmed off and are hardly noticable. They power washed, hand waxed the sides and back and power buffed the front cap. Washed the roof and cleaned the wheels and tires. The wax used was called Pro Gold and is available on line as well as in some specialty shops.

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