| I have had fiberglass boats for many years and | | | | everything. I do a section of the hull at a |
| found that proper maintenance on your Gelcoat | | | | time...two, three, four feet at a time, (keeping the |
| finish can keep that like new luster for many, | | | | sponge stirring in the mixture often as I use it) |
| many years. There is no big deal about it, and | | | | then move on to the next section. When I get |
| your boat/yacht will stand out in the harbor | | | | done with the second section, I go back over the |
| always. There are so many products out there, | | | | prior section I've done (should be hazy...a little dry), |
| that you don't know which one is best. I have | | | | doing those circular motions once again. When |
| tried many thru the years and found they all do a | | | | that's done, the other section ahead of it is |
| good job, but like everyone else, you stick with | | | | hazing...so do that one also again. Going over it the |
| what works for you. After 14 years, the hull was | | | | second time makes the sponge brag a little which |
| still mirror-like and always looked like new. | | | | is good (more drag for heavier applications)...keep |
| At Springtime when you unwrap your boat, I | | | | putting the sponge into the mixture (stirring as |
| wash the boat down thoroughly several times | | | | you do it) so the sponge doesn't dry out. When |
| with a good marine product. All that grime, soot | | | | those two sections are done and a bit hazy, take |
| from the air, and other contaminates saturate | | | | a hose and another big clean wet sponge and go |
| your boats finish, giving it that dull worn-out look. | | | | over what you've done keeping the water flowing |
| You have to wash her down with a vengeance to | | | | over the area your sponge is cleaning off...Do a |
| work out that grime and sorts that has been | | | | good job cleaning it off. You'll be amazed at the |
| laying there for months. After that good washing, | | | | difference, but not only that, the uniformity of it |
| you might see some wax from last year. That's | | | | all looks Great! |
| telling you, you've done a good job! The next | | | | Now the secret is to really wash the hull |
| step is to make up a potion (at least I call it that) | | | | thoroughly...with soap and without a few times. |
| to smooth out your Gelcoat (microscopically) and | | | | Otherwise the wax you put on will not stay on |
| also to get out those tougher stains or blemishes. | | | | for long. So get those nooks also and wash, |
| This makes the whole hull look uniform and later | | | | wash, wash! This ensures that there will be no |
| when applying the wax, it will have the same | | | | compound grit or residue left on the hull and your |
| luster all over. | | | | wax will last! You want to wax what you have |
| I use the "Light White Polishing Compound", but | | | | done the same day, so don't do what you can't |
| not the way you think...You can use regular | | | | wax in the same day. (you don't want |
| compound also...but just read a little further. I take | | | | contaminates from overnight to get on the bare |
| bunch of the compound and put it in a pail and | | | | hull) Personally I like to do the waxing by hand, |
| add water to it for a soupy mix. For boats that | | | | but the machines today are not too aggressive |
| need more attention, you make the mix with a | | | | where you can do damage to the hull. Just be |
| little less water. For better hulls that mix is pretty | | | | nice and easy. I do like to put another coat of |
| watery. I take a big sponge, stir it in the mix to | | | | wax on in mid season, but that's up to you. I |
| keep the compound floating evenly in the mixture | | | | forgot one thing.... Bring along a pair of |
| regularly (it likes to settle at the bottom) and | | | | Sunglasses...Your Hull will really shine! |
| apply it to the hull in small circular motions to get | | | | |