How to Restore Boat Finish

A boat's gel coat gives it a shiny, polished finish, but if it's left unattended, this finish can fade and get damaged over time. As a result, boats need regular maintenance to preserve the high-quality finish. When regular care and attention has not occurred, you need to restore the finish in order to get the boat back into sailable condition.

Things You'll Need

  • Sandpaper
  • Buffing compound
  • Carnauba wax
  • Epoxy resin
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the extent of the damage. This influences the level of repair you will need to undertake. Wash the boat with the sponge and water. If you use a cleaning product to remove dirt, make sure it is safe to use on boats.

    • 2

      Sand the areas where there is only minor damage, such as scratches and discoloration using a fine-grain sandpaper. Buff out any traces of scoring caused by the sandpaper to leave a smooth finish. Mix a batch of epoxy resin and use this to fill in the more substantial damage, such as dents and gouges.

    • 3

      Allow the resin to set fully, then sand it down to a smooth surface. Buff out any remaining scoring marks, especially where resin has been sanded down. Apply a coat of carnauba wax and buff it to a shine. Allow an hour or so for the wax to soak in, then apply a second coat to finish.