Gelcoat is the durable, glossy finish on the exterior surface of fiberglass. Maintaining the gelcoat layer is the key to keeping your boat looking brand new on the water year after year. Scrapes and dings also happen and doing annual maintenance at the beginning of the boating season can help you stay on top of keeping your gelcoat in pristine condition.

Factory Recommended Gelcoat Cleaners and Tools

Cleaners:

• Starbrite Boat Wash: Marine safe soap, biodegradable, and won’t strip wax.
• Saltaway: Good for quick rinses, won’t strip wax. Rinse with freshwater afterwards to clear hull of all cleaner.

Solvents:

• Higher strength solvents will remove bottom paint and damage striping and rubber. Reapply wax after using solvents.
• Denatured alcohol: Milder solvent, excellent for removing most marks and light stains.
• Mary Kate On & Off: High strength solvent. Acidic; keep off any sensitive surfaces. Use for removing the toughest staining on the gelcoat. Be sure to rinse area thoroughly with water to fully remove the solution after applying.

Tools:

• Clean Magic Erasers (can strip wax coatings)
• Starbrite Deck Brushes (soft for glass, medium for gelcoat, and firm for non-skid decking)
• Squeegee water blade and/or microfiber cloths
• Zero-G 75’ hose

Factory Recommended Method of Washing

Avoid spraying directly into electronics, windows, and doors. Rinse the boat completely with freshwater, removing all saltwater and ensuring cleaners won’t bake into the glass, fiberglass, or rubber. Continue to rinse as needed throughout the wash to keep soap from drying. Wash the boat from the top down, forward to aft.

1. Scrub the salon with a soft bristle brush or microfiber, and squeegee glass, windows, and stainless material to prevent water spots.
2. Clean the non-skid decking after the salon to help avoid slipping.
3. Scrub and rinse hull.

Factory Recommended Method of Washing

Wax: Collinite Heavy Duty Paste: Low cost, easy to apply in various environments (only apply in dry weather). Lasts about 3-6 months.

Synthetic sealant: Medium cost, easy to apply in various environments (only apply in dry weather). Has a specific cure time depending on brand, usually about 15 minutes. Lasts about 9-12 months.

Ceramic coatings: High cost, more difficult to apply. Gelcoat must be free of contaminants before application. Lasts 1+ years and resists scratching.

Fixing Gelcoat Scratches and Dings

1. Run a rag of denatured alcohol or acetone over the damaged area to clear of dirt or debris. If the damaged area is deep and you can see a black surface, you’ve likely reached the fiberglass layer. At this point, you or a specialist will need to apply paint or gelcoat to reseal the area.
2. Sand the scratched area, starting with a 600 grit sanding block. Once the scratch is mostly leveled out, switch to 1000 grit.
3. Use a rotary buffer or dual action buffer with a wool pad to buff the area. Caution must be taken if using a rotary buffer; they can easily burn through the gelcoat, especially on hard edges and corners. Finally, use a small amount of denatured alcohol to clean the area and inspect for scratches. Repeat steps 2-3 as needed.