How to Make a Boat Shiny Again
Call up how shiny your gunkhole's gelcoat looked in the showroom? Chances are its luster has faded a chip, just it can exist brought back before your side by side launch.
Rinse/Wash/Rinse
First give the boat a thorough rinsing from the tiptop down. This will remove surface dirt and dust particles that would abrade the cease if you simply hit the surface with a soapy brush. After the initial rinsing, then it's fourth dimension to perform a thorough wash with a cleaning product canonical for fiberglass gelcoats, such as West Marine's WM Gunkhole Soap or Star Brite'southward Sea Safe Gunkhole Wash. (Many household soaps and general cleaners may comprise chemicals or abrasives that are too harsh for gelcoated surfaces.) Terminate with another full rinse.
Assess
At present you can assess the truthful condition of the finish. Gelcoat shines because it's a smooth surface that reflects low-cal. Fifty-fifty microscopic irregularities tin can diminish that smoothen, but those same irregularities may be restored with just a sealing chemical compound, or a very mild polish such as Star Brite's Premium Marine Polish with PTEF. Pick an area to test. If two or iii passes with the polish don't yield the desired results, motility to a mild annoying polish like Meguiar's Premium Cleaner/ Wax or Color Restorer. If oxidation is heavier, and cleaner doesn't do the trick, but then should you consider a cut compound. Again, commencement with a less ambitious formula similar 3M's Marine Rubbing Compound, and move to a more aggressive chemical compound such as 3M'due south Marine Super Duty Rubbing Compound only every bit a last resort.
Tip: Single out areas that demand boosted attention, possibly circling them with a grease pencil. This allows you to use a milder polish on the remainder of the boat and then carefully perform more aggressive refinishing on select areas.
Polish
If polishing is all that's needed, utilise liquid polish past hand using polishing cloths (clean $.25 of cotton textile with seams removed will also work).
When using a polishing paste, utilise information technology with an orbital buffer, starting at a lower rpm of 1,400 or so to avoid burning the surface. Rather than utilize paste to the buffing pad, place small dabs along the surface to exist worked. When the paste is gone, stop buffing, as you tin can actually mar the surface by continuing to buff with a dry pad.
Seal
Later on finishing with whatever combination of cleaning polish and rubbing compound to eliminate oxidation, you now need to seal the surface using a polymer smooth such every bit the Star Brite product pictured below. Two coats of smooth will provide a season's worth of protection — though it might be a skilful idea to practise a mid-flavour touch-up if the boat has prolonged exposure to the elements. If the boat is properly coated in a quality polymer polish, at that place'due south no demand to go over the finish with traditional paste waxes. Do a thorough chore of cleaning and restoring the cease this year, and come adjacent season, you'll need simply to wipe on a couple of coats of sealing polish, and you lot'll be skilful to go.
Assessing Oxidation
Lite – Most of the gelcoat volition still be shiny, merely with a few ho-hum or cloudy patches. A simple oxidation-removing chemical compound should restore the polish.
Medium – The surface is generally wearisome and shows signs of pitting. A machine buffer and a polishing compound volition remove oxidation and smooth the pits.
Heavy – The unabridged surface is tedious and may be chalky to the touch. Pitting is obvious. Extensive sanding and polishing are required, and total restoration might be a job best left to a professional — or telephone call a painter.
Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/restoring-your-boats-shine/