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How to Detail a Fiberglass Boat

Most modern boats are made of fiberglass because they are more durable than wooden or metal boats, are easier to make and weigh less. Fiberglass is made of fiber-reinforced plastic, and all fiberglass boats are covered with a a special substance called gelcoat that gives it a smooth and shiny finish. Over time, the shiny surface can become dull because of a reaction with the sun and air; the process is called oxidation. Keep the surface of the boat looking shiny and protect it from oxidation by thoroughly detailing your boat on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

Rubber gloves
Boat soap
Fresh water
Wash mitt
Washing rags
Soft cloths
MEK degreaser or acetone
Fiberglass polish
Fiberglass rubbing compound
Fiberglass wax
Household bleach
Electric buffer with orbital motion

Instructions

- 1
  Put on thick rubber gloves. Wash the surface thoroughly with boat soap, plenty of fresh water and a wash mit. Do not use household detergent or car wash as this can damage the gelcoat. Stubborn stains like fish blood may need a special concentrated cleaner made for stains on fiberglass. Use a cup full of bleach in your cleaning solution if you spot any mold. Rinse the soapy water off thoroughly with fresh water and allow the boat to dry completely.
- 2
  Thoroughly degrease the surface of the boat using a rag soaked in MEK or acetone. Wipe over the surface with the rag and turn over or replace the rag if it gets coated in grease. To get the best results from the use of polish later on, it is essential that all traces of grease be removed.
- 3
  Polish the boat if the oxidation process has caused weathering to the extent that there is pitting in the fiberglass and it has a dull appearance. The process of polishing does not coat the surface, but rather wears it down so that the pitted appearance caused by the oxidation process is removed. Rub the surface in a circular motion until the surface of the gelcoat fiberglass turns glassy. Coat the polished surface with wax to protect it unless there is already wax in the preparation you are using.
- 4
  Use rubbing compound formulated for fiberglass if the surface has been so badly oxidized that no amount of polishing gets it back to being shiny. Rubbing compound should be used in the same way as polish -- it is more abrasive than polish, so be careful not to rub too long in the same place. Polish the surface afterward and coat with wax to protect the surface as described in Step 3.
- 5
  Wax the boat often starting when it is new. Keeping the surface protected with wax can keep the boat looking shiny for up to 15 years, according to Don Casey of BoatUS. This works only if the surface of the fiberglass is has not been oxidized by the weather. Waxing when the boat surface has been badly weathered is not advised as it does not last long. Typically, waxing weathered fiberglass results in air being trapped under the wax, causing more oxidation and the wax will typically last only a month, according to MarineStore.com. Assuming the fiberglass has been well-maintained, or after polishing or compounding, apply the wax in a circular motion using a cloth. Let the wax dry, then buff the extra wax away with a soft cloth on an electric buffer.

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