Remove yellowish fuel stain?

[dlandersson]

I topped off my fuel tanks (habit from the army) and the fuel expanded and leaked onto the fiberglass - turned a patch of it yellowish.

Any suggestions re: the best way to remove it - or will it simply fade over time?

[Russ]

What have you tried on it?
Does it seem to have penetrated the gelcoat?

I'm thinking something with mild bleach.

[hart]

Try FSR maybe... It's good on rust, oil, and every other stain I can think of but I'm not sure about gas.

[RobertB]

I might first try a deck cleaner. Other less standard items include:

- Bleach, already suggested, most likely to act on organic stains
- WD40, actually a very good cleaner, especially on a oil-based stain (may work if gasoline residue)
- Iron Out (oxalic acid I think) to really go after a rust stain
- Automotive of marine rubbing compound, but be careful not to be to aggressive with the finish

[ualpow]

I did the same exact thing. Bar keepers friend got it right off.

[seahouse]

I had the same thing happen too , but it was a leak in a new tank fitting. Take heart, my yellow/green is gone now (it was a year ago that it happened).

We got at it within a day or two of it happening, and the Admiral did a good job of it using Spray Nine, which is a top cleaner according to Practical Sailor. She might also have used Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, not sure, but that’s in her repertoire of cleaning stuff.

As recommended by others here as well, while the name Magic Eraser might imply that it’s a marketing hoax, these things do work close to magic on some stains on a boat and around the home, if you’re not already familiar with them.

- Brian

[propnut30]

A match will get rid of it.

[cruiser]

Two of my favourite products are:
"Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner with PTEF" - does a fantastic job of cleaning the deck and cockpit when the boat have been sitting out in the elements for any length of time.
"Oxalic Acid" - have used it to clean off rust on fibreglass and clean the hull generally. I just buy the white crystals/powder from a paint shop and put a couple of teaspoons in half a cup of warm water. Use a good stiff bristle brush and make sure you rinse it off well, then give the fibreglass a good polish up to seal the pores again. It does a fantastic job on rust but may need 1-10 treatments (or even more) to get the final trace of rust out if it is really bad and has been there for a long time.

I would give the first one a go first. Have not used Oxalic Acid on the topside yet but getting almost game enough to do so - just concerns me a bit putting polish on any walking surfaces.

[hart]

I love the non skid deck cleaner with PTEF (code for Teflon). Good stuff and makes cleaning future stains much easier. It also leaves a nice shine without making the deck slick.

Incidentally, oxalic acid is the active ingredient in many hull cleaners. It's also what's in the FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) gel I recommended earlier. http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... ?grp=m17-2
If you go this route you might want to follow up with Woody Wax. Great not slippery protection.

[DaveB]

On/Off is a acid that will remove the stain and can also remove yellow stains below water line and rust. Just put some in a small spray bottle and spray it on, wait 1-3 min. than fresh water it off. Can be purchased at ACE hardware, West Marine and other places.
Re wax after.
Hydrocloric acid can also be used to do the same.(much cheaper if you can find it,look at swimming pool suppliers)
Just be sure you wash off with fresh water once stain disappears.(water netrilizes the acid)
Dave

I topped off my fuel tanks (habit from the army) and the fuel expanded and leaked onto the fiberglass - turned a patch of it yellowish.

Any suggestions re: the best way to remove it - or will it simply fade over time?

[kmclemore]

"On/Off" will work great for rust stains and such, but I don't think it will do squat for a fuel stain.

Frankly, if it has settled into the fiberglass over many years, your only option may be to sand it out using a progression of 600 -> 800 -> 1000 wet-sanding papers and then buff it back to a shine with a good automotive polishing compound. If it hasn't entirely settled into the fiberglass you can *try* Clorox "Cleanup" or acetone, but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

[dlandersson]

Actually, this happened last weekend.

"On/Off" will work great for rust stains and such, but I don't think it will do squat for a fuel stain.

Frankly, if it has settled into the fiberglass over many years, your only option may be to sand it out using a progression of 600 -> 800 -> 1000 wet-sanding papers and then buff it back to a shine with a good automotive polishing compound. If it hasn't entirely settled into the fiberglass you can *try* Clorox "Cleanup" or acetone, but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

[Catigale]

My yellow fuel stains washed off with a hose. Come to think of it, the tanks only leaked when my dogs were on board....

[dlandersson]

lol

My yellow fuel stains washed off with a hose. Come to think of it, the tanks only leaked when my dogs were on board....

[gregor]

Try AWESOME. Buy it at the 99 cent store. Put full strength in a spray bottle.pray it on, and let it sit for a minute or two and hose it off. Works great on getting stains out of cloths too.