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We just bought an 1987 Montauk 17 and it has some slight staining on the interior floor. What has anyone found to be the best cleaner to remove the rust colored stains? I haven't tried anything yet, just cleaning her up this winter while the snow is flying.
If still stubborn, go for Bar Keepers Friend. Use the powder and sprinkle and dribble water. You want it to be the consistency of apple sauce. Spread around. Let it sit 15 minutes and then scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse very well. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bar-Keepers-...lsrc=3p.ds
Edited by Phil T on 11/10/22 - 12:30 PM
1992 Outrage 17 I
2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+
2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
If still stubborn, go for Bar Keepers Friend. Use the powder and sprinkle and dribble water. You want it to be the consistency of apple sauce. Spread around. Let it sit 15 minutes and then scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse very well. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bar-Keepers-...lsrc=3p.ds
Thanks so much, good information! I'll go through the progression and see what works.
I hate to disagree with PHil, but NEVER use Barkeeper's Friend on ANY gelcoat surface. It is an abrasive oxalic acid based product designed for stainless steel, as it's name indicates. It will immediately dull and remove the gloss from a gelcoat surface, including non-skid. It's like cleaning it with sandpaper.
Oxalic acid is fine for cleaning gelcoat, but you must use it in liquid form, readily available and sold as "Instant Hull Cleaner". It nicely takes the yellow staining off hull bottoms.
I also recommend a product like Starbrite's Non-Skid Deck Cleaner, also a non-abrasive liquid. Only use liquid cleaners on boats, and never use Soft Scrub (contains harsh abrasives despite it's name) either! Save the abrasive products for polishing, buffing and detailing to restore gloss.
In case some of the readers here may think I don't know what I'm talking about, here is a link to one of my collection of classic Whalers, so you can decide that for yourself.
Bar Keepers Friend is a very useful product for very difficult deck cleaning. As with any mild abrasive it requires a bit of caution for successful use. Oxalic acid is also a useful cleaner when used carefully. I've used a weak oxalic mixture to clean stained teak for decades without a bad result. On teak, the key is to rinse quickly and thoroughly.
