02/23/2015
Sailfish 208 CC Owner’s Manual | sailfishboats.com
24
Gel Coat
Your Boat’s
Gel Coat Finish
Congratulations! You are the proud owner
of a new power or sail boat. You are also
the owner of a new Integrity® gel coat
finish on the hull and/or topside, and we
would like you to be as proud of it as we
are. That beautiful, shiny new color you
love is the result of many years of gel coat
research, testing and development.
But as proud as we are of the gel coat, no
finish is totally impervious to chemicals
and weathering. Imagine what a brand
new car could look like if allowed to sit at
a marina for years with no cover and no
washing or waxing. With the same min-
imum maintenance you would ordinarily
give your new automobile’s finish, your
boat’s gel coat finish will retain its depth of
color and gloss for years.
Overall Maintenance
Normal maintenance of your gel coated
fiberglass boat is similar to the care you
would give your automobile. Overall,
automotive cleaners and waxes work fine,
as well as the marine cleaners and waxes.
Note: Do not use caustic or highly alkaline
(high pH) cleaners or those containing
ammonia. These type of cleaners may
darken white or off-white weathered
gel coat surfaces. A chemical reaction
producing staining occurs if these type of
cleaners are used on weathered gel coat.
However, the stain may be removed with
a rubbing compound or by lightly sanding
with 400 grit sandpaper followed by an
application of rubbing compound and a
thorough waxing.
Cleaning
We recommend general washing to avoid
soil build-up and staining. The soil to your
gel coat is the result of regular use and
environmental pollutants such as soot
and smog. Periodic cleaning with a mild
detergent is necessary to remove normal
deposits of soil.
Waxing
From constant exposure over time to
our natural environment and undesired
pollutants, the gel coat begins to lose its
gloss. To restore your finish to the original
gloss and color requires your special
attention. After washing with a mild soap
or detergent, give the surface a good
polishing with a self-cleaning marine or
automotive wax. Waxing in the fall and
spring is generally recommended to main-
tain and restore most of the original gloss.
If the surface has not been maintained and
has weathered badly, and if cleaning and
waxing does not restore the finish satisfac-
torily, compounding will be required.
Compounding
Please see your marine dealer for advice.
Polishing and compound (fine abrasive) or
rubbing compound (coarser abrasive) is
recommended for use on fiberglass boats
to remove scratches, stains, or a severely
weathered surface. Polishing or rubbing
compound can be applied by hand or by
pneumatic buffer. After the scratched,
stained or weathered surface has been
moved, it should be waxed to enhance the
gloss and color while providing a seal to
retard staining or new soil accumulation.
Discoloration Removal
Your marine dealer is best equipped and
trained to do this work. If regular washing
and waxing has been neglected, discolor-
ation of the gel coated fiberglass surface
may occur.
