: Anyone run into hard water spot problem on a varnish finish (Zspar Captains)
: that will not come off? Probably mineral deposits from a lake in North
: Central Washingtion State. Lake is supposed to have high concentrations of
: Epsom Salts.

: Ideas on how to remove without striping the finish?

: Mike

Out of curiosity, which lake were you paddling in? Soap Lake?

Have you tried vinegar? (Running it through my coffee pot removes all sorts of mineral junk). Or what about washing it down with some sort of hard water film remover? (check out the household cleaning aisle of the grocery store -- I don't have a specific brand in mind, but perhaps something advertised to remove water spots/mineral buildup from clothes, dishes, household fixtures, etc.) Or a solution of automatic dishwasher detergent (one that claims to not leave water spots) in a bucket of water? At any rate, whatever you try, test it in a small area first --to make sure it works, and to make sure it doesn't ruin your finish.... but, the worst case scenario sounds like that you'd be sanding them off & revarnishing anyway.... I haven't tested these solutions myself, so I'm guessing, but they would be what I would try if it were my boat.

Julie Kanarr