05/31/2017 Sailsh1900BBOwner’sManual|sailshboats.com 25
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 nish 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 nish
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 mini-
mum maintenance you would ordinarily give your
new automobile’s nish, your boat’s gel coat nish
will retain its depth of color and gloss for years.
Overall Maintenance
Normal maintenance of your gel coated berglass
boat is similar to the care you would give your
automobile. Overall, automotive cleaners and
waxes work ne, 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 pollut-
ants 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
nish 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 maintain 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 nish satisfactorily, compounding
will be required.
Compounding
Please see your marine dealer for advice. Polishing
and compound (ne abrasive) or rubbing com-
pound (coarser abrasive) is recommended for use
on berglass 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, discoloration of the gel coated
berglass surface may occur.
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