[Dazzle]

Our 31 LE was painted with Awlgrip (flag blue) five years ago. It still looks very nice, but I am having a problem removing water spot marks.

I have been using the Awlcare products. Someone mentioned we should use Flintz on Awlgrip paint, and that it is the standard on painted hulls in Florida.

Does anyone have any experience with using Flintz on Awlgrip?

[trit21]

Everyone that has a painted Awlgrip boat that I know of, including me, in Ft Pierce FL, are using the Awlcare products. Of course, the ones I know are either white or a light color but they look great including mine which is ice blue. Be careful on using any polish or wax as Awlgrip even stated on the website it should not be used except as a last choice to bring back a shine and only a very small amount. Polish and wax buildup is what will deteriorate the paint finish. Awlcare is a sealant that seals the paint to protect the finish, according the guys as the boat show from Awlgrip I spoke to anyway.

[ceviche]

I've had success with the most stubborn of hard water spots by wetting a rag with HEINZ distilled white vinegar (acetic acid if I recall my chemistry) and liberally apply and wipe, rinse away quickly and thoroughly. I had an incredible amount of stubborn water spots accumulated at my air conditioning outlet and this vinegar removed it all. I did this while the boat was on the hard and soaked a rag and wiped it on let is sit for about a minute wiped and then rinsed with clean water. I repeated this 3-4 times.

I was paranoid that it may harm the surface but it work fantastic. I actually tried it on a stainless strip that was covered in hard water spots first. My thought was that if it's safe for human consumption it must be fairly mild as an acid and should be OK. I had buffed and polished with 3m and meguiers products and several other spot removers unsuccessfully. My paint is Flag Blue Awlcraft (acrylic urethane) not Awlgrip (polyester urethane) but I believe you will have similar results with your more durable awlgrip.

[Northporter]

I'm interested in hearing some further feedback here. My 2001 Coronet was painted with flag blue Awlgrip last winter. So now in heated storage and ready to be polished. My intention was to machine wheel it out with 3M "Marine Compound and Finishing Material" and then hand apply Awlgrip Sealer. Is this the wrong approach? I hate the thought of applying Sealer directly on one year old paint job. My yard acid washed boat at haul out.