​How To Deoxidize A Boat

Oxidation is no one’s friend. It can get in the way of your boat’s appearance and even its function. If you want to maintain your boat and ensure that it always looks its best, you’re going to have to know how to fight oxidation. Here’s how to deoxidize a boat the right way.

Boat Oxidation: What Every Boat Owner Should Know

To beat this problem, it helps if you first understand what causes it. Boat oxidation is usually most obvious when it affects your fiberglass hull. When you notice oxidation, that means that the oxidation is, at the very least, showing at the surface of your fiberglass gel coat. Anyone who’s worked with a gel coat before knows that it can be a little different to clean than, say, a coffee table.

But that doesn’t mean is has to be a challenge. If you understand the kinds of products you need to properly deal with a fiberglass—such as marine grade formulas for cleaning and polishing without removing the gel coat—you should be able to handle surface-level oxidation with ease.

A product like Fiberglass Rubbing Compound is specifically designed to remove these sorts of oxidation stains on your boat. This can be applied while minimizing any damage to the underlying gel coat. If the oxidation comes off easily, you’ll find that there’s minimal restorative work you have to do to bring the rest of the gel coat up to par. But be sure to invest in a compound like this, not an ordinary boat cleaner, which likely won’t be able to deal with the oxidation.

How to Prevent Oxidation in the First Place

Once you have a better idea of how to remove oxidation that’s already set in, you’ll likely wonder what you can do to prevent its reappearance. The first step is to keep products like Fiberglass Rubbing Compound handy so you can immediately address surface-level issues as soon as you notice them.

The next step is to seal off your hull with a wax product like Life Wax. Because it contains UV filters and marine protection, it will help seal your boat off from the environment and maintain a sheen.

Keeping a Clear, Clean Hull

Deoxidizing your boat doesn’t have to be intense labor. But it does require the right diagnosis and the proper application of the boating materials that will remove the oxidation most effectively. Make sure that you’re gentle on the gel coat while tough on the oxidation with products like Fiberglass Rubbing Compound. You’ll be rewarded with a fresh, clear hull that’s free of oxidation and gives your boat that like-new appearance you wanted.

Don’t forget to browse our full collection of high quality boat waxes, polishes, and rubbing compounds to keep your boat in its best shape.