Maintenance
14.2
round, wax your boat every three months. If you have
a summer boating season, wax at the beginning of the
season and before winter storage.
Waxing helps protect your boat from everyday elements.
Use a wax recommended for fiberglass (gelcoat) finishes.
Many automatic, over-the-counter waxes can be used.
Check the product label for recommended surfaces and
applications.
14.2.2.2 Gelcoat Color Fading and Yellowing
Darker colors are more prone to fading because they
absorb more of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Whites and off-
whites will yellow, usually on the deck radii. If the finish
on your boat has started to fade or yellow, and waxing
will not restore the finish, compounding with a fine grit
compound and a low speed buffer may be necessary. An
automotive, fine grit rubbing compound will work well in
most cases. When compounding, consider the following
guidelines:
Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
Do not apply compound or wax in direct sunlight.
Never place the buffer in such a manner that the pad
touches the ground. The pad will pick up dirt which will
cause deep scratches in the finish.
After compounding, clean the surface with soap and
water.
Apply a good coat of wax.
14.2.2.3 Gelcoat Minor Scratches
If you have light surface scratches and rubbing compound
does not remove them, wet etching may be necessary.
When wet etching, consider the following guidelines:
Clean the area with soap and water.
During etching, try to keep the area free of dust and
dirt.
Use a 500 or 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper. Use a
sanding block. Sandpaper and sanding blocks can be
purchased from automotive supply stores.
When etching, keep the surface wet. On dry surfaces,
press a wet sponge above the etching area. Always
keep the sanding block flat on the surface. Never use
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the edge or corner. Doing so will make scratches that
rubbing compound will not remove.
After completing wet etching, compound the etched
area with a fine grit rubbing compound. Use a low
speed (1200 – 2800 rpm) buffer. Several applications
of rubbing compound will have to be applied before all
the scratches are removed.
Apply a good coat of wax.
NOTE: Sanding the gelcoat of the hull, as opposed to etching
the gelcoat, will void Marlow-Hunter’s bottom blister limited
warranty. Contact Marlow-Hunter’s Customer Service if you
have questions regarding gelcoat sanding.
14.2.2.4 Gelcoat Stains
You can remove stains using a cleaner specifically made
for gelcoat surfaces. Any cleaner recommended for cul-
tured marble or fiberglass tubs and sinks will work. Most
of these cleaners can be purchased at a grocery store.
If a cleaner does not remove the stain, use a fine grit
rubbing compound. When compounding, consider the
following guidelines:
Apply by hand a small amount of the compound to the
stain area.
Using a cotton cloth with medium pressure, rub the
compound into the stained area.
After the stain is removed, wash the area with soap
and water.
Apply a good coat of wax.
14.2.3 Stainless Steel
Your boat hardware is made from top quality stainless
steel. The mirror finish on most of your stainless hard-
ware is produced by a series of progressive machine and
hand polishing operations. It is this careful polishing that
makes the stainless finish so beautiful and easy to clean
and maintain.
14.2.3.1 Cleansers
We have reviewed several general stainless cleans-
ers/polishers to determine their effectiveness in clean-
ing and protecting your stainless steel. Many performed
acceptably when used properly, however, we recommend
Collinite© # 850 Metal Wax as one of the most effective
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