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Topic: Unidentified stain (Read 1075 times) previous topic - next topic

Unidentified stain

Greetings all, I am new and have a question I NEED insight on or better yet straight out answer. I have an older U280 and there are very lite yellow, almost beige stains appearing on back side portion of coach and I can't rub or wax out. Has appearance of paint "runs". Is this de-lamination of gel coat or what? I want this gone naturally, even thought about having graphics placed over the worst but that seems like a lot for a little.  I just last year replaced stripes and now this. Hard to keep older rig looking like I want one to look.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #1 –
Quote
Is this de-lamination of gel coat or what?
Not sure what it is without seeing it , but it should not be de-lamination.
That would be more of a separation or bulging.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #2 –
Dub,

For a definitive answer to your situation, call James Stallings at Xtreme Paint and Graphics, 936.560.5888.

Even though you have never done business with James, he will help you determine what solutions are available.

You will enjoy meeting him on the phone.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #3 –
As I mentioned Barry, it appears to have a paint or gel running appearance. I Thought about trying a quarter size spot with bleech  but the stain is so smoth it's almost like there is hardner over it.Very puzzling.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #4 –
Will do Rudy, Thank you.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #5 –
Dub, I too have a older coach that I try very hard to keep looking new. I spent the last 30 years in the manufacture of polymers but as stated before, its next to impossible to say what you have without seeing the discoloration. My bet is surface contamination by a nasty solvent such as lacquer thinner or MEK or an old fiberglass repair that is aging and discoloring at a different rate than the original fiberglass.

If you cant remove it with standard automotive surface cleaners, try Turtle Wax Ice Liquid Claybar cleaner, it is going to be very difficult to fix. The next step would be buffing the area with rubbing and polishing compound or sand it off with very fine sand paper (ie.400 thru 2000 grit). If these steps don't work go to a local boat repair facility that specializes in fiberglass repairs. The may be able to color match and repaint the area. 

Good luck, I sure feel for you. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #6 –
Dub, who did your stripes
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #7 –
Jimmy asks a very good question. Are the stains possibly related to the striping? If they messed it up, they need to fix it.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #8 –
I sanded off the old original stripes and puddied the cracks and a friend who is a painter sprayed new stripe surface. We masked off the white where this problem is and never touched that area with any solvents. I would take a picture and post it but it isn't visible enough to show in photo. Guys I worked for 6 weeks getting those old stripes ready to paint and I vowed to never do another one but they turned out acceptable and improved the old girl. I dont know I suppose I expect to much from a 20 year old rig but darn she has some good points that I like. Thanks for input fellas.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #9 –
I'm calling James Stallings and also finding the Turtle Wax product Kent mentioned. Also plan to take it to a body shop near by for a glass crack repair just above the rear bumper and  get some input from the body man. If you guys could see this first hand you could probably name the culprit and I appreciate you brain storming this issue .
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #10 –
Dub,

I had James re-gelcoat the rear of my coach above the engine grill where old graphics had stained the surface and would not buff out.  He then buffed the whole coach back to a high shine.

I have kept it shiny every since with Wash Wax All
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Unidentified stain

Reply #11 –
From the small picture I can see she is a good looking320.
Dub McBride 1996 270