Mysterious Black Spots

[Sneaks]

rcwass I too get the black spots, mostly on and around the lazarette hatches. Since my boat is moored below the end of the San Diego airport runway, I hope it isn't another version of oldgrowth's "spider poop." I thought it was JP5 soot but now Dave's got me wondering....


Don

[Larry H]

Don,

Keeping a boat near an airport will give your boat 'grey spots'!

I have had this problem in Newport Beach, CA and Camarillo, CA, both under airport flight patterns.

I think it is unburned jet fuel. The spots start off small and grow and turn grey or black. I think its fuel residue that then catches dirt or soot(smog?).

Spider poop is a good possibility also. I have a shipping container on a farm that gets small dark brown spots, They are flat and in clusters. There are lots of spiders there.

[rcwass]

Thanks for all the input. I'm still troubled by these blac spots. The spots are all on one side, from the roof to the waterline. On the aluminum window frames, Stainless Steel railings, Galvanized trailer and the fiberglass. The spots are continueing because they're on my new registration numbers and State Decal. I've tried accetone, paint thinner, mild rubbing compound, bottom cleaner, fiberglass cleaners, three different brands of goop off or goo off, and bleach. I scrape the hard bubble shells off then apply the cleaners to the stains as on the directions. Scrub, scrub and scrub more with no luck. I've taken pictures to Marine Shops with no help. The cleaner that works the best is a small can of Goop Off but even that leaves some stain. I can clean the spots off the metals with accetone but the metals aren't porous. I.m completely stumped.

I appreciate your help.
Dick

[lloyds]

Collect some in a sterile container and take them to a lab. That would answer the question of what they are and how to deal with them. You have us all wondering now.

[C-batical]

Lorraine J:

Without a doubt you being plagued with spider or other insect such as love bug droppings. This is a common problem if you live or keep your boat on the water. First get rid of the spiders by spraying an insecticide, if possible. Do a web-search "Cleaning spider droppings" and you will find several recommended products and techniques for cleaning your boat. Keep your boat waxed and if necessary lightly cover it with a disposable drop cloth. I am confident that your black spots will disappear. I have found that spraying the fiberglass or aluminum with a spray protectant such as 303 after the spots are removed helps. It does make you boat slippery, however.

Best regards,
Rollie/C-Batical

[rcwass]

Thanks to all for your help. I think I've found the cause. Check out this link:

http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/artfungus/artilleryfungus.htm

I have a two acre wooded lot and when they removed the trees they hauled off the logs and shredded the branches into a large pile in the woods next to where my boat has been stored. Unfortunately, this link says these spots are not removable so what's next, fine sandpaper or repaint? $$$$$
Ouch! I'm still trying to convince my Wife we need a new motor. These spots just dissolved my new motor.

Again, thanks to all. I couldn't get the link to be highlighted so it was easy to click on.

Dick

[Da Nag]

Man...that is some nasty stuff!

I found this link - it contains the following, so perhaps help is on the horizon.

"There are currently several chemists working on products to easily and safely remove these spores from siding and vehicles. I believe that the most significant advancements have been made are through Chempure Products Corp. in Bolivar, OH. For the last two years, they have witnessed promising results in the testing and development of such products."

So...since the stuff doesn't seem to harm anything other than appearance, you might play the "wait and see" game rather than resorting to more extreme measures...