Getting Varnish Off Of Gelcoat

[tarmand]

Any bright ideas for getting varnish off of white gelcoat? I know, I know, keeping it off in the first place is the best approach but it''s too late for that!

[HeartofGold]

This past weekend I had some varnish drip onto my white awlgrip (didn''t notice it until the next day when it had dried). I was able to wet it with mineral spirits and scratch it off with my fingernail.

I assume, however, that if you are posting here that it is more serious than that. Depending upon how old and porous the gel coat is, you may try using a razor blade or prehaps some very fine sandpaper (400 or finer). It''s not much, but I hope it helps.

Doug

[e-27 sailor]

Here are a couple of postings on this message board.

http://www.sailnet.com/messageboards/schmessage.cfm?Forum=4&Topic=8560

http://www.sailnet.com/messageboards/schmessage.cfm?Forum=4&Topic=3922

[DelmarRey]

If the varnish is good and hard, a plastic scraper like for de-icing windshields works real good. Works good for the white board on the interior too.