How to Clean White Coat Boat Gel

When the white gel coat finish on your boat is layered in dirt, smoke, fuel stains and mildew, a bit of cleaning is in order. These forms of heavy clean-up can require quite a bit more than the usual rinse your boat gets after weekend activities. In addition, once you subject your boat's finish to one of these "heavy cleaning" sessions, you have to treat the surface with a suitable protectant, based on the condition of the finish.

Things You'll Need

  • Mild liquid soap
  • Water
  • Tri-sodium phosphate
  • Clean buffing pads
  • Polishing compound
  • Electric buffer
  • Automotive paste wax
  • Fiberglass wax
  • Rubber gloves
  • Safety glasses
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the surface of the boat, using mild liquid soap -- one that cuts grease -- and water. Don Casey, one of the boating experts with BoatUS, recommends using a mix of 1 part soap to 5 parts water, along with a clean sponge. Add 1/2 cup of tri-sodium phosphate -- TSP -- to remove grease and mildew from the surface. Allow the boat to dry.

    • 2

      Dip a clean buffing pad into polishing compound. Polish the surface, using an electric buffer with the buffing pad. Continue to buff the surface until its mirror-like finish is restored. Unlike wax, the polishing compound polishes the surface without protecting it.

    • 3

      Move the boat into the shade. Wax the surface with automotive paste, if the boat is new and the surface is in good condition. If the boat is older, wax it with a wax formulated specifically for fiberglass. When the wax dries, buff it with the electric buffer and another clean buffing pad.