Contrary to popular belief, the shine on your boat does not come from within. In fact, it comes from taking care of one of the most important parts of your boat’s appearance: its fiberglass. And taking care of fiberglass is about more than preventing bad things from accumulating—it’s also about knowing how to restore your fiberglass when something does go wrong. To help you out, here are a few tips on how to restore shine to a fiberglass boat.
Restoring Shine Without Removing The Gel Coat
One of the most important things to remember with fiberglass isn’t the material itself, but often the gel coat on the surface. The gel coat is a protective coating that helps balance the finish of the fiberglass while offering it long-term protection from marine and sun damage. In short, you don’t want the gel coat to get harmed, as replacing it can be a tedious process. Instead, you’ll want to use boat restoration products designed specifically to deal with boat fiberglass.
Remove Oxidation & Stains With The Right Products
Speaking of products designed specifically for fiberglass, let’s talk about Fiberglass Rubbing Compound. Why is it better than an ordinary cleaner? You’ll find that this compound accomplishes a number of things, including:
- Minimizing gel coat damage. Because this is a very fine formula specifically created for boat fiberglass, it will do no damage to the gel coat while still giving you the cleaning strength you need to eliminate stains.
- Removing oxidation and stains. Preventing oxidation at its source is one of the most important ways to restore the shine to your fiberglass boat. If you can’t handle rust, then the rust takes over. Nipping it in the bud is the best way to ensure a long-lasting shine.
- Preparing the surface for waxing. An additional layer of wax after cleaning will help restore the luster of your boat’s original look and shine. But the benefits don’t stop there. With the right wax and polish, you can protect your boat from sun damage for years to come.
Polish And Wax—Not One Or The Other
One of the little-known tips in the fiberglass world is that it’s possible to make quick work of your boat when it comes to waxing and polishing—and you can do them both at approximately the same time to extend the life of your wax. We recommend using the following items:
- PolyShine: You can buff it in either by hand or with a power buffer—the results will be good either way. Used in conjunction with Life Wax, you’ll find you’ll have a coat of wax that can last years.
- Life Wax: Think of Life Wax as the other lead singer in this band. Pair the two together and you have a recipe for a long-lasting shine and protection for your boat’s fiberglass.
Want more strategies for restoring the luster of your fiberglass finish? Then browse all the boat polish, compounds, and waxes we have to offer here at BoatLife.
