Back before the current boat polishers were introduced, fiberglass boat restoration was a task left only to professionals with years of experience.
Now with improvements to both tools and products, it is possible for beginners to achieve results that were commonly reserved for veteran boat and car detailers. From boat polishers with lower operating speeds, compounds and polishes that are formulated to be much more user friendly, now a boat owner like yourself with beginner DIY skills has a fighting chance to perform professional level results when it comes to restoring oxidized fiberglass or gel coat.
Like every other area of life, the industry (in this case: auto detailing or boat detailing industry) would bury you with information that is ultimately trying to separate you from as much of your money a possible.
I have come to realize that most boat owners recognize when their boat has begun to oxidize or is already oxidized. At this point many boat owners like yourself go in search of the best ways to perform fiberglass boat restoration.
As a boat owner you basically have 3 choices:
"With advances in equipment and products, you as a boat owner can have a fighting chance when it comes to removing the oxidation from your boat. I am here to show you what actually works."
When it comes to removing oxidation from a boat with lasting results, a rotary (high-speed) polisher is one of the necessary requirements. While there are entry level steps to restore your
fiberglass boat by using a boat cleaner wax and trying to rub out the oxidation by hand, if you are looking for professional grade results that last, a high-speed polisher is really your only chance.
One thing I have learned along the way in my professional career is that virtually every boat owner severely underestimates what is required to actually remove the oxidation from a boat. Most boat owners think that a lot of rubbing with some top rated boat cleaner wax is going to be the fix.
While this will have the ability to make a visual difference, in most cases the results will not last and are simply insufficient for what is actually required to make a lasting difference.
Which side wold you rather have your boat look like? This is a before and after shot after the gel coat was restored to original shine and luster using a high-speed buffer. I taped off the section at the right so it would go untouched during the restoration process that I did on the section on left. The rub-rail is still covered with blue painters tape I recommend for protection during the process. You would never get these kinds of results simply rubbing your boat out by hand!
FLEX (PE 14-2 150) POLISHFLEX Compact Variable Speed Rotary Car Polisher
DEWALT DWP849X 7-Inch/9-Inch Variable Speed Polisher with Soft Start
Makita 9237C 10 Amp 7-Inch Variable Speed Polisher/Sander for detailing and polishing
As a professional with decades of experience detailing boats and restoring the fiberglass or gel coat on boats it would be hard for me to decide which part of the equation is the most critical between using the right type of polisher versus my choice in rubbing compounds.
Darren's Note: When I say the "right type of polisher", I am referring to a rotary versus a dual-action/random orbital buffer. There are many people that will tell you you can use a dual action buffer on a boat; which you can. The problem is that fiberglass/gel coat is such a tough and durable material that oxidizes easily, that using a dual action/random orbital buffer will definitely be easier to use, but they simply cannot produce the required friction, pressure, and speed required to have lasting and professional results when it comes to polishing oxidized gel coat/fiberglass.
I know that the right compound can make or break you just like using the right type of buffer. The only compounds and polishes I recommend and use when I am working professional to perform fiberglass boat restoration is the products from CSI.
CSI Rip Cut Compound Quart 62-M200-Q
After you have performed your fiberglass boat restoration, you will naturally be faced with a quest to find the best boat wax for your fiberglass boat.
"The best marine wax will be the wax that makes it onto your boat more often rather than less often"
What I mean by this is this: you can go on an endless search for what is considered the best boat wax. But if that marine wax is difficult to use, you will quickly learn that that best marine wax that was intended for your fiberglass boat ends up collecting dust on the shelf of your garage or located in some hidden compartment of your boat.
For this reason I tell people that the best wax for your boat will be the wax you are willing to use more often.
And when it comes to fiberglass boat restoration, the last thing you want to have to do is go through all those polishing steps. And regardless of what you read or hear, no wax in the world is going to prevent your boat from oxidizing.
A quality boat or marine wax will help prevent the premature aging or oxidation process of your boat, you need to keep in mind that while fiberglass/gel coat is a very strong, durable material, it is also very prone to oxidizing very quickly and easily.
And for this reason I offer up what I consider the best marine wax here:
CSI Marine Wax Quart 62-M204-Q
Darren's Tips: One thing I have learned is that most boat owners do not understand just how quickly and easily your boat will oxidized (even boats kept in indoor storage) and underestimate how important it is to keep wax on your bat. And how important it is to apply this wax on a very frequent and consistent basis. You literally could NOT wax your boat too frequently or to often or too much!!
Along with the required boat polishers and my recommended compound and polish, you will definitely need the following tools and equipment.
CSI 62-305 Buffing Pad Backing Plate
Polishing and Buffing Pad Cleaner, Spur Tool for Revitalizing Polisher Compound Pads and Bonnets by Canopus
Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer
The picture at the right showing my 16 year old son using a high-speed buffer for the first time as he polishes the fender of the boat trailer. These buffers are so much more user friendly than previous generation polishers.
Darren's Extra Tips for Success:
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