At BoatLIFE®, we have been in the business of manufacturing high-quality boat repair, boat cleaning, boat detail, and boat restoration products since 1959. Last year marked the company’s 65th anniversary. With over 65 years of boat maintenance and boat repair knowledge, you can say we know a thing or two when it comes to boat restoration. No matter the job, we’ve got a product to handle it, so it is important to know the scope and what you are looking to accomplish. To take the guesswork out of it, we have rounded up our top boat restoration products to get you started. Read on below.
Don’t forget, we now offer free shipping within the continental U.S. for orders over $49.
The Best Boat Restoration Products to Have on Hand
We’ve rounded up our top boat restoration products to have on hand by category for your shopping convenience. Be sure to check out our full product catalog online or order a paper catalog to be mailed to you here.
Boat Caulks and Boat Sealants
We are known for our top-of-the-line boat caulks and boat sealants, so before you begin any boat restoration job, be sure to have a few tubes of boat caulking on hand.
Also, be sure to read our blogs on Silicone and Hybrid Sealants and Polysulfide vs. Polyurethane to help you select the best boat sealant for the job. Before you embark on a boat caulking job, however, be sure to properly prep your surfaces by cleaning them with BoatLIFE’s Solvent & Cleaner.
- Life-Calk® Polysulfide Sealant – Life-Calk is our signature polysulfide sealant. It is long-lasting, permanently flexible, and can bond to fiberglass, wood, metal, glass, and even itself. It is sandable and paintable once cured but be sure to do a paint test beforehand to ensure compatibility. It is non-shrinking, non-corrosive, and can be applied to damp surfaces.
- Life Seal® Silicone/Polyurethane Sealant – By contrast, Life Seal is a silicone polyurethane sealant that will not crack or dry out once applied. Fast curing, it has low odors, high adhesion, and is non-shrinking, non-sagging, non-yellowing, and non-corrosive. The mildew resistant formula is tenacious yet removable and is safe for use on plastics. Since it is acid-free, it won’t create black streaks.
- Marine Silicone Rubber Sealant – A neutral cure formula that will not corrode metal, Marine Silicone Rubber Sealant is a 100% marine grade all-purpose silicone boat sealant. Since it is acid free and non-corrosive, it won’t leave behind black streaks yet will cure to a permanently flexible adhesion. Non-yellowing and mildew resistant, it will also resist deterioration from UV rays.
Top Boat Cleaners
First and foremost, you have to clean the exterior of your boat before you can begin any boat restoration project. We have seen it all, from barnacle-covered boats, to boat hulls caked in algae or boats painted with bird droppings, which is why we recommend a thorough cleaning of your boat’s exterior before you begin. We understand that the market is saturated with boat cleaners, so we’ve helped uncover some of the different types of boat cleaners available. Here are our top picks.
- Boat Cleaner – BoatLIFE’s Boat Cleaner is an all-purpose cleaner for general washing of your fiberglass boat. Environmentally friendly, phosphate-free, and biodegradable, our newly formulated Boat Cleaner is a gentle cleanser yet tough enough to cut through lingering dirt, bird droppings, grime, and more from your boat’s exterior with ease. It is sufficient for a general once-over cleaning.
- Fiberglass Powder Cleaner & Stain Remover – For a stronger boat cleaner, our Fiberglass Powder Cleaner & Stain Remover will remove tough stains from your boat’s fiberglass with its non-scratching formula. Easy to use with just water and a scrubber, let the product do its job of the heavy lifting of stains. It’s non-abrasive, so gentle enough to keep your fiberglass gel coat sparkling, yet powerful enough to remove the pesky, lingering stains like diesel fuel exhaust and rust. Rinse off easily with fresh water and it will leave behind a clean fiberglass surface primed for waxing.
- Graphix Wax® – If you have vinyl graphics on your boat, be sure to use a product that is specifically formulated to clean and restore them properly. Our Graphix Wax does just that, with built in UV protection and a solvent free formula that will not deteriorate your vinyl graphics like solvent-based cleaners.
- VinyLIFE® Vinyl Cleaner & Protectant – Clean your interior and exterior vinyl easily with a cleaner that is specifically formulated for use on upholstery, vinyl seats, and awnings. With built-in UV protectants, this solvent-free cleaner is abrasive-free as it cleans while it protects, removing dirt, grime, and stains.
- Mildew Remover – This chlorine-free and acid-free product removes mildew with ease. Simply spray on the surface and it’ll do the trick to remove mildew and control odors. It is even safe for fabrics, too. Check out our blog post on How to Remove Mildew from Surfaces on Your Boat for more inspiration.
- Stainless Steel Cleaner – For any stainless steel fixtures, our Stainless Steel Cleaner easily removes fingerprints, grease, and stains. Simply spray on, wipe off, and you’re done.
- Aluminum Cleaner – For aluminum fixtures, use our Aluminum Cleaner to clean and polish any aluminum on your boat.
- Live Well & Bait Well Cleaner – Don’t forget the live well! Our Live Well & Bait Well Cleaner is the perfect product to clean and sanitize your boat’s live well and bait well without the use of harsh chemicals.
Top Boat Waxes
Here are some of our favorite boat waxes. For more inspiration, read all about boat waxes and polishes in our blog post.
- PolyShine® Premium Fiberglass & Composite Polish – Use PolyShine on your newly cleaned fiberglass boat to shine and protect. With UV inhibitors, this product acts like a glaze to the fiberglass, and prevents yellowing. It is safe to use on all chrome and stainless steel fixtures. Simply apply by hand or machine.
- Life Wax – Our long-lasting carnauba paste, Life Wax, protects boat fiberglass finishes, even in extremely warm, tropical climates. It also delivers UV protection with its superior sun filters. Used in conjunction with PolyShine, the wax will last up to three years!
Wood Rot Repair
Wood rot is usually inevitable, so it is important to identify it and correct it before it becomes a major problem. That’s why we’ve created a product specifically for dry rot repair.
- “Git”-Rot® – This revolutionary product is a two-part liquid epoxy that completely saturates and restores the rotted wood’s original strength by binding the rotted fibers. Simply inject the rotted wood with the mixed “Git”-Rot epoxy and it will cure overnight, leaving you with sandable, paintable, fully strengthened wood that can be drilled or screwed into as like-new. This is a great product for wooden boats and boats with Balsa or other wood cores.
For a full list of products, visit our online store and product catalogue and be sure to check out our blog for more boat maintenance tips and tricks at www.boatlife.com.
About Life Industries Corporation
Founded by Mr. Edwin Kehrt on Long Island, New York in 1959, Life Industries Corporation formulates, compounds, labels, packages, and ships various chemical compounds. Parent company to BoatLIFE, RVbyLIFE, and AeroLIFE Industries, the organization relocated to its present home in North Charleston, South Carolina in 1995. Grace L. Schmidt, Mr. Kehrt’s daughter, has been president since 1987. Last year marked the company’s 65th anniversary.
