Hey guys--A previous owner ran some fuel additive down the side of this boat, or so I was told, and it left a nasty stain in the paint down below the fuel filler (pics below). To get this fixed, what are my options? I believe these Scarabs were painted by Magic Brush at the factory, and this one still has that original finish. Not wanting to put a ton of money into the boat, but it's actually pretty clean for a 97 model other than this stain, and it's just such an eye sore! Boat is currently located at Lake Norman, NC.

First thing I would try is this hull cleaner...https://www.westmarine.com/buy/maryk...12?recordNum=1

I am not an EXPERT body man by any means, but I wonder if it could be wet sanded out. I would think as long as you don't sand through the basecoat, the area could be re cleared and look a whole lot better than it does.

i would try that first but be 99% ready to just spot the graphics in. As long as i have been painting i have never seen anything like that buff or sand out, its a deep stain. I had the twin to that in my shop for some bottom touch ups and it was in amazing shape looked like a one year old boat and yes they were done by Magic Brush.

I've seen . . . and repaired lol . . .this kinda thing a number of times. It was caused by topping off the boat at a cool temp and letting it sit while temp comes up on say the next day or putting it in a rack storage building. Fuel just percolates out un attended for hours and does . . .that.

Wet-sanding and polishing would get you quite far I believe

GlassDave is 100% correct both how it happens and the issue with the stain itself. You could try to wet sand and buff but my guess is paint work in your future, it will have to be sanded and cleaned properly before it can be painted!