Aquamarine Services Director, Scott Cumming, regularly writes for Club Marine Magazine. This latest article covers caring for gelcoat.
Fresh gelcoat on a fibreglass boat not only looks good, it’s also a protective layer between the laminate and the elements.
Gelcoat is a coloured layer of resin that provides a smooth, glossy finish on the hull and exterior of a fibreglass boat. When it’s newly prepared or freshly polished or waxed, gelcoat looks and feels as smooth as glass.
Gelcoat might look like it’s impervious to staining or deterioration, but it’s actually very porous and can absorb contaminants and stains quickly. Over time, unprotected gelcoat will oxidise, taking on a faded appearance and becoming ‘chalky’. Oxidation causes the surface to become porous, creating a dull surface that’s generally harder to clean and maintain.
Deteriorated gelcoat can be restored to a high standard with relatively simple, albeit laborious processes using readily available products, as long as it’s not completely worn through.
Caring for Gelcoat
First item on the gelcoat care to-do list is washing – it’s the easiest maintenance task and probably one of the most important.
After each use or whenever possible, rinse saltwater and sand from the boat with a hose before using detergent or wiping over the surface. Sand and salt are abrasive, so rinsing them away will help avoid scraping the grains across surfaces and scratching them.
After rinsing, wash the vessel down with a suitable boat wash – use a biodegradable product
that doesn’t strip wax from the surface and is safe to use on all finishes.
After washing and between wax applications, it can be beneficial to use a spray wax to help keep gelcoat looking pristine, or try a boat wash and wax product. Use boat-specific cleaning aids such as soft boat brushes, microfibre or cotton mops and washing pads. Scourers, brooms or brushes with hard bristles can scratch or abrade the gelcoat surface, and harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners will damage the surface and can remove protective coatings, so avoid using them.
