SAILFISH 245 DC |
51
OWNER'S MANUAL - GEL COAT
Your Boat’s
Gel Coat Finish
Congratulations! You are the proud owner
of a new Sailfish. You are also the owner
of a new 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 mini-
mum 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, auto-
motive 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 produc-
ing 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 pollut-
ants, 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 deter-
gent, 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 finish satisfactorily, compound-
ing 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.
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