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Author Topic:   Bottom Paint Dust - BIG problem

Matty_Cardin posted 05-03-2014 08:06 PM ET (US)
I am fearful that I've ruined my gel coat and vinyl. Over the past few weeks, I've been preparing my boat for a new coat of bottom paint--which it needed. I decided to do this myself and have never done it before. I sanded the bottom over a span of two days. I did not have access to a hose and never thought to hose it down after the sanding job. Needless to say, the dust was everywhere and has now seeped its way onto the gel coat (top sides, hull and non-skid areas).
The dust has soaked into the gel coat; it does not come off with conventional boat cleaners. I'm planning on buffing the hull and top sides with hopes of the black-gray dust coming out, but I'm not positive.
I'm interested to hear if anyone else has made this mistake and if there is a remedy to clean the gel coat, non-skid areas, and the vinyl, as the dust has soaked into the vinyl as well.
Any advice or experiences would be GREATLY appreciated. I've gone from trying to get on the water ASAP to "how do I fix my boat!?"
Thanks in advance
Matt Cardin
New Hampshire
Jefecinco posted 05-04-2014 09:32 AM ET (US)
Matt--I recently did the project on my Sport 13. I didn't have the problem you are having. My worst mistake was doing the sanding in my back yard over the grass. Now, after over two years grass is just beginning to grow back in the area where I sanded the hull. If you made the same mistake I made, prepare yourself for the result. A lot of watering COULD POSSIBLY speed up the washing out process.
As to your stains, the best product I've so far found for removing stains from my Whalers is Starbright Hull Cleaner. This is aggressive stuff and I believe oxalic acid is the primary cleaning ingredient. Don't let it sit for long, follow with a good rinse, and then some soapy water to get it all off. If it fails to do the job you can try some straight oxalic acid using great care to get it off before it does any damage.
The acid can't be good for a lawn, either, so the same caution applies. Don't do the job over your grass.
Hopefully someone with greater knowledge than mine will chime in. Good luck.
Butch
Matty_Cardin posted 05-04-2014 12:24 PM ET (US)
Thanks for advice, Butch.
In my internet searches, I've heard people using lemon ammonia and making sure it's washed off in quick and complete fashion and then followed up with a buff and wax.
Anyone else have any experience with using lemon ammonia on gel coat?
wezie posted 05-04-2014 12:56 PM ET (US)
I do not believe you are permanently scarred

We share a club work area and bottom paint dust has blown on other boats for years with no serious results. It is just a real fine dust imbedded in the pores and cracks.
Start with milder products on small test areas, then go to stronger stuff if you have to. Acids will attack metal surfaces. All hull cleaners have acids.
I would try Bar Keeper's Friend, then polish, then compound. One will make a difference. Bar Keeper's would be My first. It contains mild abrasives, which will polish out if necessary. Try on small areas
Your lungs are the most important element of this discussion.
Good Luck!
Binkster posted 05-06-2014 11:39 AM ET (US)
I hope you wore a respirator when you sanded. If you didn't you should be more worried about your lungs than the gelcoat.
rich
Matty_Cardin posted 05-06-2014 05:17 PM ET (US)
I did wear a face mask, but not a full blown respirator. I was not aware how harmful the dust is. Are we talking "go see the doctors" bad? or "don't ever do that again" bad?
EJO posted 05-07-2014 08:23 AM ET (US)
Matt check out the products at Aurora Marine where you also can ask a specialist who can tell you what to do or NOT to do.
The offer great products.
E-J
wezie posted 05-07-2014 12:23 PM ET (US)
Basically, you did well with the mask. You could have done better. Even a fan blowing the stuff away helps the masks. Buy good masks.
You were more careful than most of us when we do a small job or just a "little sanding" , etc.
Those that do this for a living, get suited up with more and better equipment.
We part time DIY folk are the ones that just jump in.
If you are not still blowing bottom paint out of your nose, or coughing it up,
You will live.
First rule is to stay out of the stuff.
Next is reduce exposure to stuff.
Best rule is to go fishing.
These sites are good reminders for things to consider.
Have you had any time to try to get the dust off?

Good Luck!

Matty_Cardin posted 05-07-2014 09:45 PM ET (US)
Wezie, Thanks for the re-assurance. I have noticed I've been very short of breath hiking, but that could be the extra 10 lbs that seemed to have hung around since winter.
I worked some lemon ammonia on small parts of the top-sides and non-skid areas. It worked OK, but not 100%. I'm a little weary of using it throughout as it's harsh on the gelcoat. I'm due for a buff and wax - I'm hoping that will get it out. As for the non-skid areas... I'll keep scrubbing it as the season progresses...hoping this will work.
I'll tell ya - for the price my mechanic charges to bottom paint - I'd be pretty hard pressed to do this again.
Cheers!
PS. I'll post after pictures once I finish the buff out.
macfam posted 05-08-2014 10:26 AM ET (US)
Try white vinegar diluted in water with a little dish detergent.
Cleans well with no harm .
Treypescatorie posted 05-17-2014 11:07 PM ET (US)
I would not be afraid to us on off on any part of the hull.I have used it before and never had a problem. As stated before it doesn't need to sit very long.

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Author	Topic: Bottom Paint Dust - BIG problem
Matty_Cardin	posted 05-03-2014 08:06 PM ET (US) I am fearful that I've ruined my gel coat and vinyl. Over the past few weeks, I've been preparing my boat for a new coat of bottom paint--which it needed. I decided to do this myself and have never done it before. I sanded the bottom over a span of two days. I did not have access to a hose and never thought to hose it down after the sanding job. Needless to say, the dust was everywhere and has now seeped its way onto the gel coat (top sides, hull and non-skid areas). The dust has soaked into the gel coat; it does not come off with conventional boat cleaners. I'm planning on buffing the hull and top sides with hopes of the black-gray dust coming out, but I'm not positive. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has made this mistake and if there is a remedy to clean the gel coat, non-skid areas, and the vinyl, as the dust has soaked into the vinyl as well. Any advice or experiences would be GREATLY appreciated. I've gone from trying to get on the water ASAP to "how do I fix my boat!?" Thanks in advance Matt Cardin New Hampshire
Jefecinco	posted 05-04-2014 09:32 AM ET (US) Matt--I recently did the project on my Sport 13. I didn't have the problem you are having. My worst mistake was doing the sanding in my back yard over the grass. Now, after over two years grass is just beginning to grow back in the area where I sanded the hull. If you made the same mistake I made, prepare yourself for the result. A lot of watering COULD POSSIBLY speed up the washing out process. As to your stains, the best product I've so far found for removing stains from my Whalers is Starbright Hull Cleaner. This is aggressive stuff and I believe oxalic acid is the primary cleaning ingredient. Don't let it sit for long, follow with a good rinse, and then some soapy water to get it all off. If it fails to do the job you can try some straight oxalic acid using great care to get it off before it does any damage. The acid can't be good for a lawn, either, so the same caution applies. Don't do the job over your grass. Hopefully someone with greater knowledge than mine will chime in. Good luck. Butch
Matty_Cardin	posted 05-04-2014 12:24 PM ET (US) Thanks for advice, Butch. In my internet searches, I've heard people using lemon ammonia and making sure it's washed off in quick and complete fashion and then followed up with a buff and wax. Anyone else have any experience with using lemon ammonia on gel coat?
wezie	posted 05-04-2014 12:56 PM ET (US) I do not believe you are permanently scarred We share a club work area and bottom paint dust has blown on other boats for years with no serious results. It is just a real fine dust imbedded in the pores and cracks. Start with milder products on small test areas, then go to stronger stuff if you have to. Acids will attack metal surfaces. All hull cleaners have acids. I would try Bar Keeper's Friend, then polish, then compound. One will make a difference. Bar Keeper's would be My first. It contains mild abrasives, which will polish out if necessary. Try on small areas Your lungs are the most important element of this discussion. Good Luck!
Binkster	posted 05-06-2014 11:39 AM ET (US) I hope you wore a respirator when you sanded. If you didn't you should be more worried about your lungs than the gelcoat. rich
Matty_Cardin	posted 05-06-2014 05:17 PM ET (US) I did wear a face mask, but not a full blown respirator. I was not aware how harmful the dust is. Are we talking "go see the doctors" bad? or "don't ever do that again" bad?
EJO	posted 05-07-2014 08:23 AM ET (US) Matt check out the products at Aurora Marine where you also can ask a specialist who can tell you what to do or NOT to do. The offer great products. E-J
wezie	posted 05-07-2014 12:23 PM ET (US) Basically, you did well with the mask. You could have done better. Even a fan blowing the stuff away helps the masks. Buy good masks. You were more careful than most of us when we do a small job or just a "little sanding" , etc. Those that do this for a living, get suited up with more and better equipment. We part time DIY folk are the ones that just jump in. If you are not still blowing bottom paint out of your nose, or coughing it up, You will live. First rule is to stay out of the stuff. Next is reduce exposure to stuff. Best rule is to go fishing. These sites are good reminders for things to consider. Have you had any time to try to get the dust off? Good Luck!
Matty_Cardin	posted 05-07-2014 09:45 PM ET (US) Wezie, Thanks for the re-assurance. I have noticed I've been very short of breath hiking, but that could be the extra 10 lbs that seemed to have hung around since winter. I worked some lemon ammonia on small parts of the top-sides and non-skid areas. It worked OK, but not 100%. I'm a little weary of using it throughout as it's harsh on the gelcoat. I'm due for a buff and wax - I'm hoping that will get it out. As for the non-skid areas... I'll keep scrubbing it as the season progresses...hoping this will work. I'll tell ya - for the price my mechanic charges to bottom paint - I'd be pretty hard pressed to do this again. Cheers! PS. I'll post after pictures once I finish the buff out.
macfam	posted 05-08-2014 10:26 AM ET (US) Try white vinegar diluted in water with a little dish detergent. Cleans well with no harm .
Treypescatorie	posted 05-17-2014 11:07 PM ET (US) I would not be afraid to us on off on any part of the hull.I have used it before and never had a problem. As stated before it doesn't need to sit very long.