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Old 03-30-2017, 04:19 PM   #1
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Do not mark your Escape with a dry erase marker!

I used a dry erase marker to mark the location on the side of my trailer where I wanted Camping World to install an exterior 12V outlet, and again when planning to install (yet another) antenna mount in the back.

DON'T DO THIS! I discovered that the dry erase marker doesn't erase from fiberglass, at least not if it has been on the trailer for a few days or more. After trying several cleaners I was finally able to remove the marks with Bon Ami. No telling what that did to the finish, though. Nothing good I'll bet.
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Old 03-30-2017, 04:40 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis View Post
I used a dry erase marker to mark the location on the side of my trailer where I wanted Camping World to install an exterior 12V outlet, and again when planning to install (yet another) antenna mount in the back.

DON'T DO THIS! I discovered that the dry erase marker doesn't erase from fiberglass, at least not if it has been on the trailer for a few days or more. After trying several cleaners I was finally able to remove the marks with Bon Ami. No telling what that did to the finish, though. Nothing good I'll bet.
It would be the gelcoat affected, not the fibreglass. As long as whatever used does not penetrate too far, fine wet sandpaper usually will remove any marks. A polishing compound will smooth everything out like new.

I am betting Bon Ami has a mild abrasive in it that did the same thing. I know others have used Comet to remove small marks and scuffs in gelcoat too.

Still, painters tape is a preferred method of marking layouts.
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Old 03-30-2017, 04:40 PM   #3
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Another antenna You'll have to change your byline to Mike the antenna man.

Bon Ami and other such cleaners are slightly abrasive but with a good application of wax no one will ever know, well.....

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Old 03-30-2017, 05:16 PM   #4
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When in doubt...
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Old 03-30-2017, 05:23 PM   #5
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I think Barkeeper's Friend also contains mild abrasive. Nothing comes for free.
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Old 03-30-2017, 05:40 PM   #6
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Although it seems counter intuitive sometimes going over the original dry erase marker again will make it possible to wipe off the original. The compounds / chemicals in the re-application seem to make the first mark more apt to come off.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:20 PM   #7
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The least abrasive tool I've found is Mr Clean Magic Erasers - extremely fine compound that's so fine I use it for removing scuffs from plastic parts.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:27 PM   #8
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I've gotten permanent marker off a white board using water-less hand cleaner. Makes me question what it's doing to my skin... wonder how it would work on fiberglass?
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:32 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
I am betting Bon Ami has a mild abrasive in it that did the same thing. I know others have used Comet to remove small marks and scuffs in gelcoat too.

Still, painters tape is a preferred method of marking layouts.
Yep, it's painter's tape from now on. I had a kitchen once with a porcelain sink that was recommended to be cleaned only with Bon Ami, which implied to me that Bon Ami has a milder abrasive than other cleaners. The name Americast rings a bell for the sink type.

What is gelcoat? And can it be restored if it is damaged/removed?
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:39 PM   #10
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Another antenna You'll have to change your byline to Mike the antenna man.
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Yes, my Escape is now an antenna-festooned nerdwagon. This one is particularly obvious-- it's a fiberglass ham radio antenna that will extend 38 feet in the air. I'll try not to embarrass anybody.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:43 PM   #11
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I've gotten permanent marker off a white board using water-less hand cleaner. Makes me question what it's doing to my skin... wonder how it would work on fiberglass?
Something like Gunk might work, but I don't think hand sanitizer would, as I tried rubbing alcohol and it did nothing.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:46 PM   #12
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Although it seems counter intuitive sometimes going over the original dry erase marker again will make it possible to wipe off the original. The compounds / chemicals in the re-application seem to make the first mark more apt to come off.
This makes sense when you think about it. I'll be sure to try it when I leave dry erase on my whiteboard for too long.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis View Post
I used a dry erase marker to mark the location on the side of my trailer where I wanted Camping World to install an exterior 12V outlet, and again when planning to install (yet another) antenna mount in the back.

DON'T DO THIS! I discovered that the dry erase marker doesn't erase from fiberglass, at least not if it has been on the trailer for a few days or more. After trying several cleaners I was finally able to remove the marks with Bon Ami. No telling what that did to the finish, though. Nothing good I'll bet.
But did you try the dry erase cleanser specific to cleaning white boards?
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Old 03-30-2017, 07:01 PM   #14
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But did you try the dry erase cleanser specific to cleaning white boards?
No, I did not, and it turns out that I had some. Well, duh.

I'm getting old.
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Old 03-30-2017, 10:16 PM   #15
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I use "Kiss-Off" to clean my rubber stamps of hard to clean ink. Heck if I know if it would have worked in your situation, though. The tube says it'll remove "oil paint, grease, make-up, blood, lipstick, coffee, red wine, grass stains"

Just a thought for future cleaning projects.
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Old 03-30-2017, 11:44 PM   #16
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For removing ink, tar, adhesives, permanent marker, old dry erase, etc., nothing I know of works quite as well as acetone. Just moisten a clean rag with it and wipe; most things come right off. It is, however, a pretty potent organic solvent, so use latex or nitrile gloves and make sure to have good ventilation. Consensus on other forums is that it won't damage the gel coat if used carefully and judiciously, but I can't vouch for that from personal experience. I keep a quart of acetone in my paint cabinet (get it anyplace that sells paint), but it's also the active ingredient in fingernail polish remover if you have some of that sitting around.
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Old 03-31-2017, 07:47 AM   #17
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For removing ink, tar, adhesives, permanent marker, old dry erase, etc., nothing I know of works quite as well as acetone.
Acetone was going to be my next step. I was saving it for last due to its volatility and not knowing how it would affect the fiberglass or coating. It's probably better than using an abrasive like Bon Ami. Thanks for the info.
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Old 03-31-2017, 08:48 AM   #18
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+10 on acetone. You can buy it in the form of fingernail polish remover for $1 or less. Get the version that is straight acetone, no additives.

Clean up quickly after using it.

Note, I have not used acetone on fiberglass! I have used it a lot of times removing spray paint and similar on other surfaces.

Obviously, test a very small discrete area first, maybe on the underside of the trailer.
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Old 03-31-2017, 09:23 AM   #19
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What is gelcoat? And can it be restored if it is damaged/removed?
The gelcoat is simply the smooth, shiny protective surface on the otherwise dull and uneven fiberglass. They do make repair kits.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-m...82?recordNum=1

This Scamp video starting at 7:00 shows how fiberglass molds are made. The difference with Escape as I understand is that they glass the halves together before releasing from the molds.
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Old 03-31-2017, 10:53 AM   #20
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Note, I have not used acetone on fiberglass!
I have, by the gallon. It or lacquer thinner work pretty much equally well. A wipe on, wipe off won't hurt gelcoat in the least. But they do take off wax so re-waxing the spot is a good idea.

The only thing that I've ever found that really, really damaged gelcoat is Easy Off oven cleaner.

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