How to get rid of black spots in the fiberglass sides??????

[winnie32v]

2001 Winnebago Adventurer.
My Question.....
The sides on my MH has black "spots" which seem to be embedded in the fiberglass.
I have used a Magic Eraser in the past to clean the fiberglass. I does some good but the spots are still there and come back over time.
I keep my unit clean and waxed but I would like to know how to get rid of this defect.

I have been told about trying a coarse plastic scrubber and Soft Scrub to clean it.

I want my unit to have a clean look, not spotty.

Thanks for your time to reply.

 

[CLIFFTALL]

Here's a link to previous threads that dealt with this. Hopefully you'll get some tips there.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Black+spots+&x=26&y=17&sitesearch=irv2.com&gws_rd=ssl

 

[TDI-Minnie]

Meguires #50 RV Marine cleaner wax.

 

[winnie32v]

UPDATE:
I have tried all kinds of abrasives and none of them have removed the spots.
So, today I put a little Clorox on a cloth and wiped over a small area with spots.
The spots were immediately oxidized (bleached) and my finish is perfectly clean (except for the normal "microcracks" in the gel coat.)
I then wiped with a cloth w/ water.
Then I put a coat of wax on and it looks great.

QUESTION: Does anyone know if the gel coat will be affected by the Clorox?
I hope there is a chemist type person who can answer this.

Please advise with any thoughts that you may have.

Thanks for your consideration.

Paul

 

[RayIN]

I've added bleach to my RV and car wash soapy water for many years, never noticed any adverse signs of use. I add ~2 oz bleach to 5G water + car wash soap. It removes mold and mildew spots from plastic trim and awnings too. Be sure to rinse thoroughly, especially awnings.

 

[winnie32v]

STATUS REPORT:
I made a ~40% solution of Clorox and applied it to the "spotted" gelcoat.
Almost immediately the spots were oxidized and the surface was cleared of all spots and looked as close to new as possible.
I quickly rinsed the surface and waxed with McGuires wax.
I never had a shine like this and the surface looks like new.

I am about 75% completed.
I will try to get some close up pics and post later.

 

[Hikerdogs]

We've used this product on the shower in the motorhome and in the bathroom in the stick house.


X-14 The Bathroom Cleaning Expert: X-14 Mildew Stain Remover


It does a great job, however I would try it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it works before applying it in large quantities. It works fast enough that you can watch the spots melt away.


Be sure not to touch any clothing on the sprayed surface. You won't notice anything until you wash the article in the laundry. Then you'll see where the color has disappeared every place the liquid made contact. I now have a spotted grey and white shirt as a result of touching the wet surface.

 

[winnie32v]

We've used this product on the shower in the motorhome and in the bathroom in the stick house.


X-14 The Bathroom Cleaning Expert: X-14 Mildew Stain Remover


It does a great job, however I would try it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it works before applying it in large quantities. It works fast enough that you can watch the spots melt away.


Be sure not to touch any clothing on the sprayed surface. You won't notice anything until you wash the article in the laundry. Then you'll see where the color has disappeared every place the liquid made contact. I now have a spotted grey and white shirt as a result of touching the wet surface.

Thanks for the info.

I did some checking on the X-14 as well as Chlorox.

The active ingredient in X-14 is sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 3 - 6 %. (This is the bleach that turns things white).

The active ingredient in Chlorox Bleach is also sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 5 - 10 % (other minor chemicals are also present)

So, if I make a 40% solution of Chlorox Bleach, I have the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 2 - 4 %.

When I applied this, there was an immediate visible reaction and the spots were completely gone in less than 1 minute. I ensured that the surface was kept "wet" by continuous wiping.

After the reaction was complete, I wiped the surface with clean water several times to remove any of the cleaning chemical.

When dry, I applied a coat of paste wax.

The surface looks like new and is back to a clean white appearance.

As soon as I transfer some photos from my phone to my computer, I will post them in this thread.

 

[winnie32v]

Photos of before / after treatment.

 

[JayGee-WO]

Thanks! I needed this answer too. :bow:

 

[RayIN]

X 14 mildew stain remover, by WD-40, MSDS. Like winne said, it is bleach, as in Scrubbing Bubbles and almost all such mildew and mold removers.

http://www.x14brand.com/files/pdf/msds-x1423567841.pdf

 

[dcharvey]

Did you notice any difference in the decals? Discoloration, or fading?

 

[winnie32v]

Did you notice any difference in the decals? Discoloration, or fading?

I was very careful to note any problems with the decals and paint.
There was absolutely no effect on either.
Note: I was sure to wash off each area that I cleaned with clean water. Also any drips or runs were washed. Apply the Clorox with a very damp cloth, not saturated so it will drip/run.

I noticed that I had to treat the area where the decal meets the gel coat.....that slight ridge where there was discoloration that had to be removed.

My unit still looks white and clean.

It is best to test each application before beginning the cleaning.

 

[dunkonu23]

Great thread! I intend to do the diluted Clorox thing, too! Thank you so much!

Scott

 

[KD4XR]

I use a solution of 1 part bleach, 1 part white distilled vinegar, and 2 parts water. I keep it in a spray bottle for touch ups. I also used it to succesfully remove some ceiling stains on my previous coach. It had that white cloth material on the ceiling.