MacGregorSailors.com

Woke up this morning to find dark yellow/orange spots all over my Mac 26X. Used cuting paste but it didn't budge. Don't know what the hull the stuff is but it's like those marks you get if you leave iron fillings on the gel coat for weeks. Marks only arrived after light rain and are imbedded in the gel coat all over the decks incl anti slip surfaces where it is worse. What can i do to get this cleaned off. Boat is stored in-land and was pressure washed only a week ago in prep to sail next week.

Des UK

Sticky leaves Im guessing.

Pressure washer should take it off though????

Del, I was crawling around under my boat (checking trailer) and came across one inexplicable spot similar to what you describe, about as big as a hand print. Boat was wet with morning condensation and the spot rubbed off.

Sounds like your discoloration is in the gel coat itself. Oak leaves will tarnish but blasts off with pressure washer or even soap.

Might be a manufacturing defect, but Ive never heard of such. Youll probably have to coax one of your mad scientist friends over for a look.

Being in the UK certainly doesnt help for any recourse you might have with MacGregor. Do report the situation to your dealer (if you have one).

Let us know what you find out.

Blue gel FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) is available in all marine stores, at least in Vancouver. Just brush it on and rinse it off, works like a charm. Tested and true.

Zoran

EZ to get the stuff - http://www.boatersworld.com/product/176230027msk.htm

I had leaf and blue berry and bird poop stains after one week of storing my boat under a blueberry tree.
Solution: A small "hand held" 16 oz. spray bottle with a mixture of water, plus/minus 4 tablespoons liquid soap, and about 4 tablespoons of bleach. Mist the spots, with a hand scrub brush lightly, then rinse.
I followed up with a wash/wax automobile soap solution, and the boat looks great.
Storing the Mac under a tree is a NO NO. (Unless it is tarped).

I learned the hard way not to leave the vents closed on my gas tanks during hot weather. Gas seeps out and leaves nasty orange stains. Not easy to remove.