Stains on storage box lid

[Red Dog]

After a recent storm in Texas, I saw the storage box lid covered with debris from a nearby Live Oak tree. When I cleared the debris, I found that the lid had been badly stained. I have tried Awesome Cleaner and a tar & sap remover too, but it only remover a portion. What you see seems to have penetrated into the paint. Any thoughts?




Fred M.

[Rossue]

Get some 3M compound for fiberglass and use a rotary polisher. Foam pad might work, however wool is much better and is what pros use. Have wasted a lot of time using Meguiars with foam and finally hired a pro and that is what he used (as do the two others I got bids from).

Edit- I still like Meguiars products, and use their waxes on the trailer and my cars. 3M has been around much longer obviously and their experience with marine products translates to our fiberglass trailers.

[Jim Bennett]

I would first polish it hard with a cleaner that has some mild abrasive in it. If that works then a good polishing.

I am on my phone right now, so can't really do much for searching a product that would work.

edit: kinda what Ross said.

[Vermilye]

Try the powder version of Barkeeper's Friend. Mild abrasive & oxalic acid.

[Donna D.]

I'd saturate a white towel in bleach and lay it on the lid. Leave it there until the towel dries.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Try the powder version of Barkeeper's Friend. Mild abrasive & oxalic acid.

Yes this works as does Mr. Clean magic eraser.

[GregandTeresa]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Yes this works as does Mr. Clean magic eraser.

I've seen the magic eraser remove some really tough stains that nothing else would touch. That would be the first thing I tried.

[Red Dog]

I used the magic eraser pads and it removed 98% of the stain. Gonna go over it one more time. Thanks to everyone for the tips!!! Lola is happy now.


Fred M.

[cpaharley2008]

Now give it a good coat of wax........glad it worked.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Now give it a good coat of wax........glad it worked.

Done & Done!!!

Fred M.

[HABBERDABBER]

I've had very, very good results with this product. It's a water based acrylic, "space age polymer" treatment. I've used it on a sailboat and my old '96 Casita. Worked very well. It can seal the lid of your box, maybe not 100%, but much better than nothing. Wax is a temporary treatment. This stuff is more durable. I'd coat my Escape sometime with it, when I get the gumption & energy. For best results, it takes multiple, very, very light coats....like 5....but you can restart coating right after the previous coat. Super thin coats, applied with applicators supplied in their package.


And John's suggestion of Barkeepers Friend is also what has worked for me on a chalky, vintage Casita...along with the Poli-Glo.


FYI. I have no affiliation with this product, I'm just pleased with its good results.

[Doug2000]

Too late now, but I would say careful with the magic eraser, Its really a sanding block. Your removing the gel coat.

Give it a good wax to prevent future stains.

[cpaharley2008]

The poli-glo process has been around for awhile, particularly over on FGRV with the older units. I had a 2007 EggCamper that needed refinishing, we applied Barkeepers for cleaning and then a floor wax, 5 thin coats over 2 days to restore, or rather add a shine to the fiberglass that would hold up to the weather. Any recent Escape should not need this process for awhile, a good wax is all.

[fudge_brownie]

This discussion started concerning the storage box lid. Would all this apply to the roof? I do not see much difference. Good point about Magic Eraser, but isn’t Bar Keepers Friend also an abrasive?

[GregandTeresa]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

This discussion started concerning the storage box lid. Would all this apply to the roof? I do not see much difference. Good point about Magic Eraser, but isn’t Bar Keepers Friend also an abrasive?

I've also used it on the roof, the awning, etc...

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

This discussion started concerning the storage box lid. Would all this apply to the roof? I do not see much difference. Good point about Magic Eraser, but isn’t Bar Keepers Friend also an abrasive?

Both Magic Eraser and Bar Keepers Friend are abrasive - Bat Keepers being a little more abrasive than the Magic Eraser. The oxalic acid in both of them is really the cleaning agent more than the abrasive.

But most waxes are somewhat abrasive as well. The "polish" part of the wax is a mild abrasive that helps remove contaminates and oxidation.

The good part is that it would take a lot of cleaning to wear through the gelcoat.

[Patandlinda]

Speaking about the storage box lid . Any suggestions for the top . As everyone knows it holds water and constantly needs cleaning . Want something to fill in top so it is even ? Pat

[cpaharley2008]

The new style lid is raised to eliminate that issue, maybe you can just buy the new style lid from the factory sometime in the future when we return to normalcy.....

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The new style lid is raised to eliminate that issue, maybe you can just buy the new style lid from the factory sometime in the future when we return to normalcy.....

Jim I think the shipping for a large item like the lid would be too expensive. I do know how to work with fiberglass . Maybe a piece of ply glassed to meet the ridge then seal the two pieces where they meet ? Pat

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Jim I think the shipping for a large item like the lid would be too expensive. I do know how to work with fiberglass . Maybe a piece of ply glassed to meet the ridge then seal the two pieces where they meet ? Pat

Yes shipping would be prohibited but, there is always Osoyoos and the possibility of someone near you having an Escape delivered. Either way, post your in progress solution.