Navy Blue canvas staining boat

[Thompson gunr]

I have a navy blue mooring cover on my boat. As it rains it looks like the dye is coming out of the canvas onto the gelcoat. You can see dark streaks where water has dripped off the covers. The covers have been sealed with 303 but it didn't stop the dye from coming out. What can I use to get this "dye" off the gelcoat. It will not easily wipe off. Is this something that should be removed immediately or can it wait until spring? The covers are over 4 years old and still in good shape. Should I be looking at just replacing the covers? Thanks.

 

[Flutterby]

I doubt it is the canvas color which is running. Probably it is dirt being "washed" out of the canvas. To prevent this in the future, clean the mooring cover prior to using it [at least once a year].

To remove the stains, first wash the boat as you normally do. That will remove some of the staining. Then put some Bon Ami on a wet sponge and gently rub the remaining stains. Then polish the areas to remove the remaining Bon Ami. This will not remove the wax from the gel coat. The sooner the stains are removed, the better.

 

[Thompson gunr]

Thanks. I will give that a shot. The cover was just cleaned prior to covering it for the winter. Guess I sould have bit the bullet and shrink wrapped the boat!

 

[Bob J]

Not likely that it's dye from the canvas. AS Flutterby stated, it's most likely black streaks you're seeing on the fiberglass. See if a cleaner/wax removes stain.

 

[Flutterby]

Next time you clean the canvas, after it has thoroughly dried, spray it liberally with a protectant such as 303. This will help to prevent the streaks.