Removing black streaks

[Chris00414]

Hi all. After not washing my 2023 Alpha Wolf 26RL-L for over three months, and after tons of bad weather, I found a whole lot of black streaks on the paint - gelcoat. I've used Camco's black streak remover before, and have had minimal results. Tried it again today, and of course, the results were the same as usual.

I used to be a really serious sail-boater and the marina was right under a major flight path into BWI - jet exhaust causes a lot of oily black crap to adhere to your paint/gelcoat and regular soap will not get rid if it. I had always used a very diluted mixture of Tide/water, or 3M's Finesse It II (it's a glaze). Today, used the Finesse It II, and worked beautifully.

I know black streaks are a bane on many RV owners, and I would recommend what is described above. Any areas you use either product on I would advise throwing a coat of wax on after using........ both will most likely remove wax, but WOW, what a difference when you're finished!

 

[Arlen-FRF]

WD-40 works for me on our gelcoat, much better than the black streak remover.

 

[CEPuryear]

We've used Crown Cleaner for years. Can pick it up in Walmart cleaning supply isle.

 

[jimmiejim]

Fantastik cleaner will remove black streaks as fast as you can wipe them off

 

[Bob K4TAX]

What's wrong with good old Clorox and water? Some of the foaming bath cleaners do a great job.

Bob

 

[ChrisParise]

Camco Black Steak and 303 Black Streak Remover are my go tos for removing black streaks.
The directions are different for both and if not followed exactly the results are poor.
Addressing the root causes helps. Regular roof washing and if a roof is older consider a rubber roof coating (or the correct coating for your membrane)

 

[Rob0702]

A friend recommended this cleaner called "Awesome" at, believe it or not, Dollar Tree. It's cheap, and it removes black streaks. It can also be used on a lot of other surfaces in and out of the RV that need to be cleaned. What I do is spray some into a micro fiber cloth, and wipe the streaks by hand. A little wax after, and it's good as new.

 

[Formula1fan]

I agree. Awesome cleaner from the dollar store works great.

 

[Chazman]

Krud Kutter. Awesome stuff!

 

[D W]

LA's Totally Awesome [concentrate]. Available at Amazon, Walmart and most "dollar" stores

 

[ChrisParise]

What's wrong with good old Clorox and water? Some of the foaming bath cleaners do a great job.

Bob

How well does it work on black streaks on gel.coat, decals, black plastic?

 

[Freetyme]

Hi all. After not washing my 2023 Alpha Wolf 26RL-L for over three months, and after tons of bad weather, I found a whole lot of black streaks on the paint - gelcoat. I've used Camco's black streak remover before, and have had minimal results. Tried it again today, and of course, the results were the same as usual.

I used to be a really serious sail-boater and the marina was right under a major flight path into BWI - jet exhaust causes a lot of oily black crap to adhere to your paint/gelcoat and regular soap will not get rid if it. I had always used a very diluted mixture of Tide/water, or 3M's Finesse It II (it's a glaze). Today, used the Finesse It II, and worked beautifully.

I know black streaks are a bane on many RV owners, and I would recommend what is described above. Any areas you use either product on I would advise throwing a coat of wax on after using........ both will most likely remove wax, but WOW, what a difference when you're finished!

X2 On the WD40. Fight gummy oil with lite oil. Any WD 40 residue wipes right off .

 

[Sunseeker16]

Simple Green.

 

[AndreHendricken]

I wash commercial vehicles and I used Purple Power and or Spray Nine. Just don’t let it sit for very long as it could dad the decals.

 

[sdp1234]

I just tried Totally Awesome on a couple black streaks. (2025 micro lite) Diluted it 5-1. Worked well. Have to say I didn’t expect it to…. Is this safe for the fiberglass? I kept it off the decals. Should I worry about them?

Also when waxing, wax decals or not?

 

[ChrisParise]

I just tried Totally Awesome on a couple black streaks. (2025 micro lite) Diluted it 5-1. Worked well. Have to say I didn’t expect it to…. Is this safe for the fiberglass? I kept it off the decals. Should I worry about them?

Also when waxing, wax decals or not?

I only use the black streak and bug removal products formulated for rvs.
As for your decals, not touching a recommendation, who would?
I have paste waxed, spray waxed, lightly buffed my decals without a problem but they're on a 2006 motorhome and no idea how sturdy yours are.

 

[James Mickle]

Hi all. After not washing my 2023 Alpha Wolf 26RL-L for over three months, and after tons of bad weather, I found a whole lot of black streaks on the paint - gelcoat. I've used Camco's black streak remover before, and have had minimal results. Tried it again today, and of course, the results were the same as usual.

I used to be a really serious sail-boater and the marina was right under a major flight path into BWI - jet exhaust causes a lot of oily black crap to adhere to your paint/gelcoat and regular soap will not get rid if it. I had always used a very diluted mixture of Tide/water, or 3M's Finesse It II (it's a glaze). Today, used the Finesse It II, and worked beautifully.

I know black streaks are a bane on many RV owners, and I would recommend what is described above. Any areas you use either product on I would advise throwing a coat of wax on after using........ both will most likely remove wax, but WOW, what a difference when you're finished!

Star Bright Black streak Remover takes it off my RV instantly

 

[bookooc]

Simple Green.

Yeah, that's what I tried last year. Failed miserably.

 

[Sunseeker16]

Yeah, that's what I tried last year. Failed miserably.

I've had good luck with Simple Green. Tough streaks i use it straight, not diluted.

 

[D W]

I just tried Totally Awesome on a couple black streaks. (2025 micro lite) Diluted it 5-1. Worked well. Have to say I didn’t expect it to…. Is this safe for the fiberglass? I kept it off the decals. Should I worry about them?

Also when waxing, wax decals or not?

Using Totally Awesome, I would stay away from printed matter and decals. Both are basically "printed matter", and delicate. It cleans up the fiberglass without issue when you use a soft cloth on the black steaks.