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 help deoxidize your boat and keep it in tip-top shape.
