EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
8.1
Attention should be given regularly to the maintenance of the.
exterior of your boat to keep its appearance looking new. The following
guide will be helpful.
Fiberglass
Even though fiberglass construction has vastly reduced upkeep,
some attention to gelcoat surfaces-is necessary to maintain the appear-
ance of the finish. After a few years exposure with no protection,
the finish may begin to fade or chalk. The twice annual application
of a good commercially available wax containing an ultra-violet
shield will preserve the appearance of this finish for many years. Be
sure fiberglass surfaces are clean and free of salt before applying
wax. Abrasive cleansers should not be used for general cleaning. A
cleaner with no abrasive properties, such as Spic and Span, is preferred.
On the non-skid areas which are difficult to wax, a coating such as
Armor A l l, which is used for coating vinyl tops, will restore the finish.
In the fiberglass molding process, a wax is used on the mold
to prevent the part from sticking to the mold. Some of this wax will
end up on the fiberglass part. Especially during the first year, the
residual wax on the deck may yellow a little, as it is affected by
sunlight and airborne contaminants. Eventually, normal washings will
remove this wax. If more rapid removal is required, a commercial wax
stripper can be carefully applied.
Bottom Paint
One coat of bottom paint is applied at the factory. Generally,
a second coat applied before launching will afford the best protection.
Check with your dealer for a paint compatible with the factory applied
paint. A non-compatible paint may lift the factory applied paint.
Bottom paint should be lightly sanded before recoating. Always
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