2013 R-29 gelcoat wear??????

[gmeans]

My new boat has been used approx. 3 1/2 months since delivered last June. 72 total hours. There are brown stains(???) appearing in various places on the surface of the foredeck where the approx. 1 1/2 inch smooth stripes separate the non-slip surface. In other words on the walking surface. Won't come off. It looks like the white surface is worn off and the undersurface of fiberglass is coming through. Could this be a gel-coat problem? Your thoughts would be most welcome. Regards, Gary Means Docky's Dream

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Could you post a photo so we can get a look at the problem? You could also send a copy of the photo to your dealer and or the factory for clarification. In the mean time, if this discoloration, is in several of the smooth divided areas between your non skid I'd experiment a bit. Try a gelcoat cleaner, like Collinite 920 or equivalent, to see if the discoloration clears up or maybe a Magic Eraser. If you have several spots/areas only do a couple so you can compare your results with an untreated area.In either case apply wax after the first step. If you have good results great but if you do not you could also photo the results to show your dealer and or the factory. Is the non skid discolored? Let us know what transpires.

Jim

 

[Pete]

This might be a mold release problem. Usually shows up 1-2 years from new and often where smooth surface meets non skid. If so, needs to be buffed out with rubbing compound.

Pete

 

[jroyle]

This might be a mold release problem. Usually shows up 1-2 years from new and often where smooth surface meets non skid. If so, needs to be buffed out with rubbing compound.

Pete

Pete is spot on. We had it in numerous places and it buffs right off.

 

[baz]

This might be a mold release problem. Usually shows up 1-2 years from new and often where smooth surface meets non skid. If so, needs to be buffed out with rubbing compound.

Pete

Pete: Do you have an explanation for what causes this "mold release". I've never heard of this issue before. What's so unique for this to occur where smooth surfaces meet non skid ? What creates the mold in the first place ? Thanks. 🙂

 

[Pete]

Baz, we are talking about the boat mold (or mould for Brits). A release agent, typically a wax, is used to help separate the boat from the mold. I'm no expert but apparently, if too much release agent is used and/or not thoroughly removed, a chemical interaction can occur with the gel coat surface. I don't know why it often occurs where a smooth surface adjoins non skid - more release agent used there? more difficult to remove?
Pete

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Barry: What was explained is not "mold" but something from the mold from where the deck come out of that has apparently created the discoloration, at least that's what I read into what was stated. I, like you, am curious as to why it happens on the smooth but not the non skid? Anyone!

Jim

 

[gmeans]

All, Thanks for the input! The discoloration is actually on the non-skid surface right at the junction of the smooth. Since the non-skid surface is higher than the smooth stripes it occurred to me that perhaps the gelcoat was too thin in places and was rubbing off with foot abrasion. Any other thoughts would be welcome. Thanks, Gary

 

[Pete]

If the gel coat is indeed wearing off after so few hours it must be extremely thin - or you have very abrasive boat shoes 😀
Pete

 

[baz]

Baz, we are talking about the boat mold (or mould for Brits). A release agent, typically a wax, is used to help separate the boat from the mold. I'm no expert but apparently, if too much release agent is used and/or not thoroughly removed, a chemical interaction can occur with the gel coat surface. I don't know why it often occurs where a smooth surface adjoins non skid - more release agent used there? more difficult to remove?
Pete

Ok -- I now understand more. So it's wax residue left on the fiberglass surface when the fiberglass is pulled from its mold. This residue can then cause some chemical reaction on the fiberglass surface and discolor it.

If the OP has a boat less than 1 year old it should be covered by the factory's 1 year hull warranty presumably.

 

[jroyle]

All, Thanks for the input! The discoloration is actually on the non-skid surface right at the junction of the smooth. Since the non-skid surface is higher than the smooth stripes it occurred to me that perhaps the gelcoat was too thin in places and was rubbing off with foot abrasion. Any other thoughts would be welcome. Thanks, Gary

I too thought the gelcoat was too thin but I could actually scrape the mold wax off of the previously mentioned areas. It was then that I got my buffer out and the gelcoat was restored..It appears to happen where the non-skid transitions to the smooth areas where more release wax would naturally accumulate.

 

[Todd]

I had the same thing. I assumed it was a clear wax that just yellowed (actually more orange) with exposure and not a reaction with the fiberglass. Buffed of with no reoccurring problems.

 

[Shared Dream II]

OK, with all that said, it appears we are missing the real problem. Gary isn't using his boat enough. Almost one year and only 72 hours?

 

[Mystical]

Ours did the same thing. No big deal and nothing to worry about.

 

[gmeans]

To all who replied I want to share this information. Yes, the brownish stains which appeared on the foredeck most likely, as some suggested, were caused by the "release" used at the factory to separate the fiberglass from the mold. The guys, Tony and Mark Schulstad, at Pocket Yachts in Grasonville, Md. were able to remove the stains using Goof Off. Looks good as new. By the way, these guys are great and have done a superb job of babysitting Docky's Dream since last October.
Thanks again to all. Gary