How to Remove Oxidation from Fiberglass Boat – Detailed Guide 2022

hands of worker sanding fiberglass body filler

Table of Contents

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you”

Boats are normally painted using a fiberglass resin-based paint known as gel coat.  This paint fades after some time due to oxidation meaning that the appearance of the boat will change. As a boat owner, you need to learn how to remove oxidation from boats.

 

Oxidation is a chalky residue that forms on the surface of the boat. It normally happens due to different factors such as environmental chemicals and UV rays which break down the unprotected gel coat. The good news is that it is something you can remove by using the best oxidation removers for boats such as Meguiar’s M4916 Marine Rv Heavy Oxidation Remover. In this article, I will guide you on how to remove oxidation from fiberglass boats.

 

Items required

 

 

Safety Precautions

 

When removing oxidation from a fiberglass boat you need to take some safety precautions. This is because some of the chemicals or oxidation removers are very dangerous to the skin. Therefore, you should never touch any oxidation remover with your hands. Instead, you should use a buffing pad when applying it on the surface. Again, you need to wear safety gear such as gloves to protect your hands.

 

 

Estimated time to complete

 

The time required to complete the oxidation removal depends on different factors such as the size of the boat and the oxidation levels. For light oxidation removal, the process will take a lesser duration, even less than an hour. However, removing heavy oxidation from fiberglass boats requires time since you will need to use different items and procedures. Mostly, it can take up to 2-4 hours.

 

 

How to Remove Oxidation from Fiberglass Boats: Step-by-Step Guide

 

Boat cleaning

 

The first thing you need to do is to clean all forms of dirt from the boat by washing it using a soft handheld brush, microfiber rag, and boat soap. After cleaning, it will be easier to determine the type of oxidation that is affecting your boat.  In case it is a thin layer of oxidation, you can just remove it using a cleaning sponge and a detergent or soap. The best way to remove heavy oxidation from a fiberglass boat is by using a very strong boat oxidation remover like Meguiar’s M4916 Marine Rv Heavy Oxidation Remover.

 

 

Identify the oxidation area

 

Before you start removing the oxidation from your fiberglass boat, you need to first identify the affected areas. Oxidation is mainly characterized by a chalky or fading appearance which means that you should look for these spots.

 

Removing the scratches from the gel coat

 

Before you apply an oxidation remover, you will need to remove scratches from the boat first. If the scratches have not penetrated deep into the gel coat, you can use simple wet sand to restore the gel coat to its original state.  Start by dry-sanding the surface using a 180-grit sandpaper in case the scratches are a bit deep.  After that, use a 320-grit, followed by a 500-grit and then 1000-grit sandpaper.

 

Don’t move the sandpaper in a circular motion if you want to get the best results. Instead, you should use the X-pattern to keep the sanded part flat.

 

 

Using an oxidation remover

 

After you have successfully removed the scratches, now it is time to apply a reliable oxidation remover on the surface. You can use a buffing pad or wool to apply the oxidation remover on the surface. As compared to others, the Meguiar’s M4916 Marine Rv Heavy Oxidation Remover and CSI Rip Cut Compound Quart 2-M200-Q are undoubtedly among the best boat oxidation removers.

 

 

Wet sanding

 

Wet sanding only applies if the boat is badly affected by oxidation and cannot be revived by oxidation removers.  It helps to restore the fiberglass gel coat to its original shiny appearance. When doing this, you should start with 600-800 grit wet or dry sandpaper before you finalize using a 1500- grit sandpaper.

 

 

Apply the fiberglass sealer

 

After wet sanding, you can now apply a reliable fiberglass sealer such as the 303 Marine Speed Detailer 32 fl Oz in a circular motion. Do this continuously until the surface turns glassy.

 

 

Note or tip

You can use a sponge or the applicator that comes with the sealer. Allow the surface to dry completely before moving to the next step.

 

 

Buff the fiberglass with an electric buffer

 

Now that the surface is dry, you can use an electric buffer to polish the treated fiberglass surface until it shines.  An electric buffer makes your work easier since buffing the fiberglass using your hands can be extremely tiresome and time-consuming.

 

Apply wax to get the polished surface

 

After buffing the fiberglass surface with an electric buffer, now it is time to add a layer of wax to enhance protection to the restored surface.  Using a rotary buffer and a top-quality pad, apply the boat wax on the surface in a circular motion.

 

Avoid using too much wax and if you realize you have used more than the required, you can buff it out using a buffing pad.  Apart from preventing oxidation, most waxes such as Meguiar’s M516 Marine/RV Pure Wax contain inhibitors that protect the gel coat from the effects of UV rays.

 


Note/tip

The wax application should not be done under direct sunlight. This is because sunlight may cause the wax to weaken when it melts.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How to prevent future oxidation on fiberglass boats

 

Even after removing oxidation from your boat, it can still reoccur. To prevent this, you should make an effort to wash your boat frequently. Make sure that you are using the recommended chemicals or detergents for boat cleaning.

 

Apart from cleaning, you should wax your boat using a top-quality boat wax such as Meguiar’s M516 Marine/RV Pure Wax at least once per year. You also need to identify a good location with a shade for parking your boat. Again, cover the most sensitive parts of the boat to prevent direct exposure to the sun.

 

 

Will vinegar remove oxidation from fiberglass?

 

Yes, you can use vinegar as a boat oxidation remover. However, it is only suitable for light oxidation problems.  You can also mix it with baking soda to enhance its strength. Since it is abrasive, it can cause scratches on the boat meaning that it is not the best.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Apart from brand new or well-maintained boats, all boats are likely to have oxidation signs. If you have been wondering how to remove oxidation from boats, we hope that now you know how to go about it.  Just follow the steps we have outlined above and use the recommended products.  If you do that, we can assure you that you will get the best results.

 

Bill
Bill

Bill is an ISA Sailing & Powerboating Instructor in Ireland. He writes about all things sailing.

Related Articles that might be of interest to you:

boat shoes on yacht, man yacht mooring

Why can’t you wear shoes on a yacht?

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you” Many yacht owners can be picky about what shoes can be worn or not worn on their yacht. The main reason is that shoes can damage the boat’s finish. Shoes can also track in dirt

Read More »
How To Remove Yellow Stains from a Fiberglass Boat

How To Remove Yellow Stains from a Fiberglass Boat?

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you” Do you constantly find yourself battling with ugly yellow stains on the hull of your fiberglass boat?  Here we’ll keep it simple and provide you with the solution to these nasty stains. Not only will

Read More »
yacht party people wearing semi casual attire

What to Wear to a Yacht Party [Complete Guide]

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you” If you’re invited to a yacht party, the invitation probably doesn’t include a dress code. But just because there’s no specific dress code doesn’t mean you can wear whatever you want. There are still some

Read More »

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *