How To Restore Faded Fiberglass: Step By Step Process

By Jennifer Cook


Today, the market is flooded with hundreds of different products, all which purport offer the best solution to the faded gelcoat. Generally, the gelcoat has little structural value. However, it protects the underlying laminates of resin-saturated fabric glass. The gelcoat plays the function of protecting the hull, giving it its shiny and beautiful color. It is good to get the right tips on how to restore faded fiberglass to keep its attractiveness.

A fiber-reinforced plastic (fiberglass) describes a plastic that has been strengthened using a fiber cloth. In addition to boats, the material is commonly used to make bathtubs, motorhomes, and pickup truck caps among others. Gelcoat is normally applied on its surface to give it a smooth and shiny surface. It is normal for the users and the sellers alike to refer to the gelcoat as fiberglass and thus the term may be used interchangeably.

The second step it to clear gelcoat or the glass surface of any oil or grease. Given that the gelcoat may be porous, the detergent often fails to clear all grease and oil. The ideal solutions to use include acetone or MEK. Just soak a rag in the chosen solution and use it to clear any grease. When doing this, it is advisable to always protect yourself using skin rubber gloves.

The first step is often to start by cleaning the surface with the aim of removing tiny particles and any other substances that may affect a good quality finish. This can be done by adding detergent into warm water to form a washing solution. This is followed with a thorough scrubbing of the surface. In order to remove grease and oil, acetone and similar solutions may be used. It is then allowed to dry before the next step can begin.

Different brands have different application procedures, and this is outlined on the label and manuals. The general rule involves applying the wax using a smooth textured cloth in a circular motion. The wax is then allowed to dry before the excess is removed using the same soft cloth. This results in a smooth, shiny and reflective surface.

Fiberglass sealers offer the best results, unlike wax, they are able to penetrate into the gelcoat surface. This makes it possible to seal the microscopic crevices and holes, therefore, preventing any further oxidation. Generally, sealers offer a brighter surface as compared to the wax, offer a harder surface and last for a much longer time.

However, sometimes, the fiberglass is so faded that the normal polishing and waxing may not restore its shiny look. In this case, a stronger abrasive rubbing compound is required. The rubbing compounds are available in many varieties, from mild compounds to heavy-duty.

Unlike the wax, the polish products have a small amount of abrasive to help rub off the oxidation giving a brighter shine. As such, they offer a good solution to boats that have a high degree of fading. They do not offer any protection afterward and wax should be applied soon after polishing.




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