Unlike decades ago when the boats were made of wood and metals, almost all pleasure boats are made of fiberglass today. They give better final products, are easier to make, and weighs less in comparison to wood and metal. They are also known to last for a very long time, and it is no surprise that all boat owners prefer them over any other material. In order to maintain the beauty and elegance of your pleasure boat, you need the tips on how to restore faded fiberglass using waxes, polishes, and the sealers.
A fiber-reinforced plastic (fiberglass) describes a plastic that has been strengthened using a fiber cloth. In addition to boats, the material is commonly used to make bathtubs, motorhomes, and pickup truck caps among others. Gelcoat is normally applied on its surface to give it a smooth and shiny surface. It is normal for the users and the sellers alike to refer to the gelcoat as fiberglass and thus the term may be used interchangeably.
Gelcoat is widely available is several assortments of colors. It is very durable but will eventually weather and become dull. Processes like waxing may slow the rate at which it weathers. The dull surface is as a result of oxidation effects of the sunlight and air. The result is a rusted surface, and the solution is waxing, and use of the sealers.
In order to completely remove grease and oil, the solutions like acetone and MEK offers good result. All that is required is to wipe the greasy surface using a rag soaked with the chosen solution.
Different brands have different application procedures, and this is outlined on the label and manuals. The general rule involves applying the wax using a smooth textured cloth in a circular motion. The wax is then allowed to dry before the excess is removed using the same soft cloth. This results in a smooth, shiny and reflective surface.
For this reason, the fiberglass sealers are often used as alternatives. They tend to penetrate into the gelcoat surface so that the microscopic holes and crevices are filled thereby preventing any further oxidation. This results to a brighter shine as compared to the use of wax and polish. They also offer a harder surface that is long-lasting and less need for maintenance.
Waxing should be the last step. It is used to offer the barrier between the elements and the gelcoat surface. If applied regularly, it can keep the boat in good condition for a long time. However, for older and faded boats, it is the last procedure after cleaning, polishing, and the application of sealers. It traps air in the microscopic surface crevices and holes allowing oxidation to continue after a while. This is the reason behind fading just after a month or two after cleaning and waxing. This put emphasis on the polishing and the sealers application.
Unlike the wax, the polish products have a small amount of abrasive to help rub off the oxidation giving a brighter shine. As such, they offer a good solution to boats that have a high degree of fading. They do not offer any protection afterward and wax should be applied soon after polishing.
A fiber-reinforced plastic (fiberglass) describes a plastic that has been strengthened using a fiber cloth. In addition to boats, the material is commonly used to make bathtubs, motorhomes, and pickup truck caps among others. Gelcoat is normally applied on its surface to give it a smooth and shiny surface. It is normal for the users and the sellers alike to refer to the gelcoat as fiberglass and thus the term may be used interchangeably.
Gelcoat is widely available is several assortments of colors. It is very durable but will eventually weather and become dull. Processes like waxing may slow the rate at which it weathers. The dull surface is as a result of oxidation effects of the sunlight and air. The result is a rusted surface, and the solution is waxing, and use of the sealers.
In order to completely remove grease and oil, the solutions like acetone and MEK offers good result. All that is required is to wipe the greasy surface using a rag soaked with the chosen solution.
Different brands have different application procedures, and this is outlined on the label and manuals. The general rule involves applying the wax using a smooth textured cloth in a circular motion. The wax is then allowed to dry before the excess is removed using the same soft cloth. This results in a smooth, shiny and reflective surface.
For this reason, the fiberglass sealers are often used as alternatives. They tend to penetrate into the gelcoat surface so that the microscopic holes and crevices are filled thereby preventing any further oxidation. This results to a brighter shine as compared to the use of wax and polish. They also offer a harder surface that is long-lasting and less need for maintenance.
Waxing should be the last step. It is used to offer the barrier between the elements and the gelcoat surface. If applied regularly, it can keep the boat in good condition for a long time. However, for older and faded boats, it is the last procedure after cleaning, polishing, and the application of sealers. It traps air in the microscopic surface crevices and holes allowing oxidation to continue after a while. This is the reason behind fading just after a month or two after cleaning and waxing. This put emphasis on the polishing and the sealers application.
Unlike the wax, the polish products have a small amount of abrasive to help rub off the oxidation giving a brighter shine. As such, they offer a good solution to boats that have a high degree of fading. They do not offer any protection afterward and wax should be applied soon after polishing.
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