Forum Discussion

demoon's avatar
demoon
Explorer
Jun 05, 2014

Oil Spots Removal

The front and driver's side of our coach is spattered with dirty oil spots. It washed off the painted areas, but the oil on the gel coat, fiberglass did not come off at all. I am concerned that if I try to remove it with the wrong stuff, I will make things worse. Would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
  • So far, nothing has worked. We are home for awhile and I am going to check with my service guy who does body work. Will let you know what I find out.
    By the way - just a point of interest - the coach was professionally detailed, waxed and buffed just before we left and it still sheds water nicely. This stuff seems to have gone right through the wax.
  • I had an injector line come loose and had diesel fuel all over the rear cap. I washed it with a strong solution of dish soap then went back over it with a magic eraser----got the spots AND the wax. Had to apply new wax.
  • Try a little WD-40. It should dissolve the oil and won't hurt your paint. Then just wash off the WD-40 with some Windex or something similar.
  • How about something like a Black Streak and Bug remover (available at RV stores) or Bug and Tar remover (available at most auto parts stores)?
  • I use Lestoil for almost everything! I just used it yesterday in a steam cleaning machine for rugs. No suds and it removed all the stains. I use it on everything just in various diluted states. Try it.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    I am not sure what you are describing. But it sounds to me that the oil soaked into the unpainted area because the surface is not protected with wax and maybe a little chalky. It wiped of the painted area because the paint did not allow the oil to penetrate into the gel coat underneath. If this is the case if a solvent like acetone does not remove the stain completely you may have to use a polishing type compound. After removing the stain I would give the entire MH a good cleaning(removing the oxidation) then a good waxing to seal the surface. Oil should not penetrate a properly waxed FG surface.
  • I use a soft cloth & Gel-Gloss to remove spots from the gelcoat on our coach. Lowe's and or Home Depot carry it. It's also great for removing haze from headlight lenses.

    Good luck with removing your oil spot...
  • Perhaps try a small area with orange hand cleaner (not the one with abrasive). Its great for removing oil / grease stains.
  • I used to run a couple of HW stores and people would come in asking for "Lestoil". They would really talk this stuff up!
    Supposedly it removes oil stains from anything including concrete and car paint. I have no experience with it myself but it sure has a devoted following.
    You can get it at ACE HW stores and probably other places as well.