Today, almost every pleasure boat on the water is made from fiberglass and gelcoat. This is not a coincidence. The fiberglass boats are much easier to make in comparison to the metal boats and the wooden boats. They also weigh less and are long-lasting. With all this said, you cannot buy one until you know how to restore faded fiberglass. This is the main maintenance procedure.
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.
The restoration process starts with a thorough cleaning. This can be done simply by mixing detergent with water and then use a sponge to wash the surface with the resulting solution. A cup of household bleach is added to aid in removing mildew. In order to remove difficult stains, the direct application of concentrated cleaner that is specifically formulated for fiberglass is the answer.
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.
Wax is widely used and has to be applied regularly for it to be effective. They tend to work well as long as the boat is new. As the boat ages, the wax becomes ineffective given the microscopic crevices and pits that trap air allowing for continued oxidation. It is best applied as the last layer after polishing or other processes.
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.
The restoration process starts with a thorough cleaning. This can be done simply by mixing detergent with water and then use a sponge to wash the surface with the resulting solution. A cup of household bleach is added to aid in removing mildew. In order to remove difficult stains, the direct application of concentrated cleaner that is specifically formulated for fiberglass is the answer.
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.
Wax is widely used and has to be applied regularly for it to be effective. They tend to work well as long as the boat is new. As the boat ages, the wax becomes ineffective given the microscopic crevices and pits that trap air allowing for continued oxidation. It is best applied as the last layer after polishing or other processes.
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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