Removing sticky residue from gelcoat

Cleaning up the tape residue was a mission (had to use acetone).

I'm told that acetone can damage the gel coat and that ordinary thinners usually works to get sticky stuff off...

I've used plenty acetone in the past to remove old stickers without any visible damage to the gel coat.

What I did struggle with was tree sap that dripped on my ski. I tried all sorts of solvents without success. Eventually I gave up and after a few weeks I went for a paddle with a gooey ski. When I got back the sap flaked off in chunks.. I don't know if it was the salt water or the neglect but off it came....

I've had very good luck removing tape residue using pure citrus solvents - Goo Gone comes to mind as a brand here in the States. I am not aware of any issues with gelcoat, although I don't let it sit for extended periods of time, either.

Marsh J

I've used gasoline to remove tape residue. Is it bad for the gel coal ?

Be very careful with Goo Gone. It bubbles the gelcoat fairly quickly (just tried it on one of my skis). You probably have to wipe it on and then get it off quickly with soap and water.

Eucalyptus oil works very good.