grey streaks on side of boat

[it4llc]

I am getting greyish streaks on the side of our boat, both on the side of the cabin and the hull, from the rain runoff. They don't wipe/clean off very easily. I just polished and waxed the boat late spring. I know I can polish them out and rewax. However, my question is two-fold. First, should I be expecting to have to do this so soon after the last wax, or did I potentially not do a very good job (on what was my first time detailing the boat myself)? Second, is there an alternative to remove these streaks other than polishing and waxing again? Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[Emerson]

I am getting greyish streaks on the side of our boat, both on the side of the cabin and the hull, from the rain runoff. They don't wipe/clean off very easily. I just polished and waxed the boat late spring. I know I can polish them out and rewax. However, my question is two-fold. First, should I be expecting to have to do this so soon after the last wax, or did I potentially not do a very good job (on what was my first time detailing the boat myself)? Second, is there an alternative to remove these streaks other than polishing and waxing again? Thanks in advance for any insight.

We have those streaks from time to time. Our boat was ceramic coated and those streaks wiped off easily. Easily, as in wiping of dust. We maybe talking about different streaks though.

There are some polishes in the automotive world that have similar effect as ceramic coating, making the surface very difficult to adhere to (what you may expect from
Waxing) and go beyond what waxing provides. Perhaps worth a shot.

Ours is a 2022 and I wonder what is causing these streaks. Feels a bit like window seals leaching and I wonder if anything should be doing that after one season.


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[it4llc]

Thanks - I've considered the ceramic but haven't gotten there yet, in part because the couple companies I contacted don't service our area. Our boat is a 2020 and it has happened since we've had the boat. I may try polishing an area and using one of the synthetic wax products to see if that does any better than regular wax...

 

[Emerson]

Thanks - I've considered the ceramic but haven't gotten there yet, in part because the couple companies I contacted don't service our area. Our boat is a 2020 and it has happened since we've had the boat. I may try polishing an area and using one of the synthetic wax products to see if that does any better than regular wax...

One of the RT folks recommended Carpro HydrO2. Small investment for a test.


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[Brian98133]

I can't speak for your situation, but I get similar streaks and it's coming from whatever the stuff is with which they set the "roof glass" (not sure what that's called, but it's the 'skylight' strips that are permanently affixed in the roof of the cabin). It's got a 'rubber-like' feel to it. If you run your fingers over a freshly cleaned one, you'll get black/gray on your fingers.

In my case, when it rains, it causes it to run down the side of the cabin, creating streaks. During harder rain, it will make its way to the hull.

I have some Krytox, and want to treat this 'rubber-like' stuff so it doesn't degrade and slough off. The issue is that Krytox tends to 'creep' onto glass which gives it the oily-rainbow look. So I'm hesitant. But Krytox would definitely do the trick.

 

[it4llc]

That might explain why it's worse on the sunny side - maybe more degradation. I've got some of the rub rail treatment that's supposed to work on any rubber - I may try an application of that to the roof hatch seals. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Brian98133]

It's actually not the hatch seals, although it's a good idea to keep them properly lubed... It's the hard, black stuff around the permanent glass set in the roof. That's the stuff (in my case) that is causing streaking.

 

[it4llc]

We've only got the 4 hatches on top on our boat, but I'm going to lube them anyway and take a look....

 

[YukonRon]

I get those grey streaks too, anywhere the rainwater runs down the boat past any black sealant; windows, hatches, storage compartment door seals, cockpit helm controls, etc. I found that Magic Eraser takes them off pretty well. Just use the minimum scrubbing necessary to remove the stains, as the Erasers are abrasive and do remove a slight amount of gelcoat.

 

[Chimo]

It's actually not the hatch seals, although it's a good idea to keep them properly lubed... It's the hard, black stuff around the permanent glass set in the roof. That's the stuff (in my case) that is causing streaking.

OK, I confess that I have never thought of lubricating my hatch seals, though it seems a good idea. With what would I lube them please?

 

[Brian98133]

It's actually not the hatch seals, although it's a good idea to keep them properly lubed... It's the hard, black stuff around the permanent glass set in the roof. That's the stuff (in my case) that is causing streaking.

OK, I confess that I have never thought of lubricating my hatch seals, though it seems a good idea. With what would I lube them please?

I use Krytox GPL105. This stuff is amazing... but if you use it, be cautious. A little amount goes a long way! Start with one drop and spread it around.

I'm sure there are tons of options out there though 😀