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Fiberglass

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What do you use to take care of your's boat finish ,clean your boat & protect your boat ? GodBless  & Thanks

  • Super User

Bow to Stern (BTS).

  • Super User

A good wax with a UV inhibitor. 

Bow to Stern (BTS) for regular wipe-downs. The stuff is awesome.

3M products for annual spring polishing/glazing/waxing of the gel coat. Finesse-It II glaze is an excellent product that will have your gel coat looking as smooth as melted wax. It fills in abrasions and swirl marks.

Keep in mind that a rotary buffer is needed to get the most out of your gel coat. Hand applications are nearly useless in comparison when it comes to glazes and light rubbing compounds. $30 is all I spent on my buffer, Chicago brand and orange.

The 3M pads cost more, I believe, but I've been using the same ones for 7 years.

When it come to applying wax, I'm not convinced that one needs to buff it in. I personally apply it by hand mostly.

I've been using this routine for 7 years, and I store my boat outside under tarps in the Minnesota winter. It looks as good as the day I bought it 7 years ago. These products I mentioned are pricey but the shelf life is long and they go a long way. 

  • Super User

If you keep your boat clean and waxed, you should not need to buff it except for light scratches and scuffs.  Buffing removes material, which in some cases is necessary.  But regular buffing is a no no.

 

Even tree sap can be removed without buffing. 

 

The UV rays of the sun will damage gel coat.  If possible, store inside, or cover so the sun cannot inflict its damage.  If not possible, use a good quality wax or glaze with UV inhibitors as has already been suggested.  Do it periodically, be it once a month, or every two months.

4 hours ago, Fishing Rhino said:

If you keep your boat clean and waxed, you should not need to buff it except for light scratches and scuffs.  Buffing removes material, which in some cases is necessary.  But regular buffing is a no no.

This is a very good point. Buffing can be dangerous if overdone, especially when one is using compounds, which are rarely needed. I've only used compound twice in 7 years.

If one chooses to buff, as I do, it should be done with great caution and with as low of a speed as possible, especially on any ridge or feature on the boat. It creates friction and can burn through the gel coat, so feel the gel coat for heat after applying to each little section you do. It has it's hazards if done incorrectly, but the glaze fills far better when applied with a buffer.

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