The gelcoat fiberglass boat retains the luster for a long time if you can keep it clean, wax it and store it out of direct sunlight. If the surface has begun to discolour, become dull or if the gelcoat has been subjected to a lot of wear, you need to learn how to polish the boat. Although the process is essentially simple and not very different from car polishing, each owner must take care of it. This article explains the basic steps for polishing a boat.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Boat
Step 1. Put the boat on the trolley safely
Boats should be cleaned and polished out of the water, securely attached to a parked trailer, preferably on a flat, even surface. Since you will have to spray the entire surface of the boat and move around it, it is advisable not to attach the trolley to the car.
Depending on the model of the boat, it may be useful to put the cover on before starting the cleaning and polishing work in order to protect the interior
Step 2. Wet the outside of the boat with a garden hose
It is important to apply the wax only on a freshly cleaned surface; therefore, remove any residue of dirt and grime, any accumulation of algae and other foreign bodies, especially if the boat has been in the water for a long time.
- Start with plain water and wet the entire external surface that needs to be cleaned. Use a clean, wet sponge to gently scrub the boat to loosen the dirt.
- If there are deposits and hard to clean spots, you can use 220 grit sandpaper. Never use a pressure washer, as the high pressure damages the outer coating and interferes with the effectiveness of the gelcoat. Activate only a gentle spray.
Step 3. Remove the old wax from the surface
Take rags soaked in toluene (or another similar solvent) to remove any residue from the old wax layer. The latter, in fact, could prevent the abrasive paste and the polish from evenly covering the hull of the boat.
Always rub in the same direction and apply gentle pressure. Very vigorous action should not be required to detach the wax. Wait for the solvent to evaporate before polishing
Step 4. Wash the boat with a suitable cleaner
Finish the cleaning operations with a final wash; use a boat soap or mild dish soap solution and warm water.
- If the hull is stained, a small amount of bleach is usually used to disinfect and clean thoroughly. You can also consider nail polish thinner, white spirit, or a degreaser to remove buildup and sticky residue. Never use bleach on wooden boats that have not been treated or painted.
- Rinse the hull surface with clean water and wait for it to dry. You can use a water puller to speed up the drying process if necessary.
Part 2 of 3: Polishing the Surface
Step 1. Consider using a special polish
It is an abrasive to restore the splendor of the fiberglass gelcoat of the hull to its origins. This type of product removes imperfections, stains and scratches from the surface of the boat, increasing its brilliance.
- Choose a polishing product if the boat only needs a refinish. Buy an abrasive paste if the surface, on the other hand, has imperfections or limescale deposits, because in both cases it means that the boat requires a deeper intervention.
- Be very careful when using abrasive paste. The gelcoat is very thin and a particularly aggressive product could ruin it, detaching it quickly and requiring a much more demanding intervention both in terms of time and money.
Step 2. Start with the top crossbars and work towards the bow
Work on surfaces of 0, 6 m2 to apply the polish or abrasive paste. Help yourself with a soft cloth if you have decided to apply the products by hand or attach a foam rubber pad to the polisher. Make circular motions with the cloth or tampon and scrub in a steady rhythm. Work until the hull becomes glassy; if you can see through the gelcoat, you rubbed too much.
- Some boat "purists" always prefer to polish by hand, while others believe that using an electric polisher saves effort and avoids the unsightly marks of manual scrubbing. Always opt for a low speed polisher and not a high RPM grinder, so you always have great tool control. Orbital polishers hardly leave marks and streaks.
- If you are using a polisher, always start at the lowest speed. Just place the pad against the hull before operating it, so the abrasive paste or polish won't splash everywhere.
Step 3. After using the sanding compound, always apply a coat of polish
If necessary, use the same method you used for the abrasive compound. Always move in the same direction and in circular motions. Wash the boat once more with the garden hose to remove the dust raised by the polish and abrasive paste.
Part 3 of 3: Finish the polish with a coat of wax
Step 1. Choose a specific type of boat wax
There are many products on the market, based on the style and material of which the boat is made. Keeping the gelcoat protected with a layer of wax allows you to preserve its brilliance for a long time, thanks to the protective coating that avoids direct contact with water.
Collinite 885 is widely used for boats, although it is also used by surfers and for other purposes
Step 2. Always remember to apply the wax with the same movements with which you applied the polish and the abrasive paste
Again, you can do the job by hand or with an electric polisher. Wax in circular motions to avoid streaks.
Different varieties of wax require different procedures, so always read the instructions for the specific product you purchased
Step 3. Be very careful near fittings and in tight spaces
Regardless of whether you are using an electric polisher or working by hand, always switch to a manual action near the fittings that cannot be removed, to prevent the electric polisher from damaging them or getting stuck. Do the same in the small crevices.
Remove fittings in advance if possible. Store the screws carefully to make sure you don't confuse them when you have to reassemble everything
Step 4. Wait for the wax to dry
After some time, the product will begin to go dull, which means it is ready to be polished again. It is very important to allow the wax time to stabilize, so that it can best perform its protective function against the gelcoat. Only 5-10 minutes of exposure to sunlight will be required.
Step 5. Polish the wax until it shines
Use a clean cloth or sponge swab (if you decide to use the electric polisher). Always work in a circular direction, the surface should start to glow as soon as you have removed the opaque layer of wax.
Advice
- Save time and effort by finding who can polish the boat for you. You can rely on specialized services in most nautical centers. Do not assign the job to car detailers because they do not have the necessary experience to work on the boat, since the gelcoat is of different thickness and consistency.
- Some boat owners recommend several rounds of sanding with increasingly finer grit before applying polish or abrasive paste.
