Boat Polishing Tips
Products, tools, and techniques

Boat polishing represents an area of the boat ownership experience filled with much bad and misleading information. Fueled by an industry looking to sell more and more product, as consumers, we are constantly at the mercy of more and more products claiming better results. Similar to the metal polishing world, we are continually lead to believe we have just found the next wonder boat polish that will not only be easy to use, but deliver better results than any other product. The Internet is filled with company after company trying to sell the latest and greatest product through trumped up claims, marketed with misleading terminology.

Answers Based on Real World Experience

Give It To Us Straight Darren!

Q.-Do I have to hire a professional or can I polish my boat myself?

A.-This mostly depends on the type of results you want. Hiring a professional is a sure way to get maximum results. Anyone can polish their boat with little, to no skills. But this is still a bit oversimplified due to the fact that every boat with regards to size, color, and condition will be a case by case judgement call. Many products exist for the Do-it-yourselfer looking to polish their boat by hand.

Q.-I have never used a buffer before, can I still get good results polishing by hand?

A.- Yes. The simplest and cheapest way to polish your boat is to use a 2-in-1 product usually referred to as a cleaner wax. My professional experience has shown that most boats can be dramatically improved with a quality boat polish, used with a heavy dose of "elbow grease".

Q.-I have never used a buffer before, but is this still something I can do as a beginner to polish my boat?

A.- Yes. Despite many so-called experts claiming that gel coat and fiberglass is very delicate and requires specialized products, the exact opposite is true. Fiberglass and gel coat is extremely heavy duty and a durable material. This actually represents both the good news and the bad news. Good: because it is the perfect material for a beginner to first use a car polisher on, since doing any damage with the buffer is almost impossible. Bad: this material is much more difficult to restore back to 100% as compared to car paint. This is why at the beginning I stated that depending on your expectations, this will determine if you hire a professional such as myself, or you attempt to do it yourself.

Q.-Darren, I am a little confused as to which I should try, can you explain further?

A.-Yes. If you are looking at your boat and you are unsure as to which way to go, this is probably a good sign that you might want to "experiment" yourself doing the boat polishing. If you are looking at your boat and are overwhelmed with the sight and degree of discoloration and oxidation, then this might be the time to hire a professional. Not that you aren't capable of getting satisfactory results, but this might be your greatest indicator as to whether to do the boat polishing yourself versus hiring a professional. Once again, this largely depends on your commitment to the desired end result and your motivation.

Q.-Darren, you say it is very possible for me to polish my boat using a buffer for the first time?

A.- Yes. Due to the nature of fiberglass and gel coat, it is virtually impossible for a person to do any actual permanent damage using a high speed buffer. Choosing the right buffer, pads, and products, also allow you to go easy and work your way up. It is possible to "dial-in" the exact match using these variables: speed setting on polisher, polish pads, polishes, and pressure of your hand against the buffer.

Q.-Darren, is there a way I can determine the route I should go?

A.- I will see if I can help. Use the following checklist and see what the final decision comes to:

Boat Polishing by Hand:

• Easiest and simplest way to achieve results.
• The lowest cost; about $24.00
• Acceptable, but marginal results compared to hiring a professional, or using a car buffer.
• Probably the perfect choice for the un-enthused or less-motivated boat owner.

Boat Polishing with High-Speed Polisher

• The only way for truly professional and superior results.
• Most expensive route; $300-$500 depending on polisher and product choice.
• The route to go if you have ever wanted to learn professional grade polishing.

Q.-Darren, is there anything else I should keep in mind?

A.- Yes. You should realize that no magic boat polish exists that will make it easy; only easier!The polishes I recommend are some of the actual polishes I still use to this day in my professional world; because they work, are very user friendly, and I can use them on any form of boat polishing, to car polishing, to RV polishing. I lay this out further down.

Q.-O.K. Darren, can you now tell me just what you do recommend?

A.- Glad you asked. I will lay out the different levels of engagement and the products and tools I recommend for each. As I have said in many pages of my websites; I do not claim to have tried everything. I do know what works and will let you know accordingly. If I am unfamiliar with a product I will let you know that also.

Boat Waxing and Protection

Even though this is a page on boat polishing, I am going to add my favorite picks of what I consider the best boat wax. Nothing will outlast the performance of a quality synthetic polymer sealant, and the 2 choices below will provide superior protection to other wax products.

Meguiars #21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0

Gel Coat Labs All Marine Surface Sealant 16 oz.

Boat/RV Cleaner Wax

When you are dealing with mild forms of fiberglass oxidation on your boat or RV, a cleaner wax product is a good choice. Either of the products below combine 2 steps into 1 with the aid of cleaners built into the wax or sealant. The difference below is the product from Meguiar's is a cleaner wax, and the one from Gel Coat Labs is a cleaner sealant. If you are looking to do this by hand, simply use an applicator pad with some "bite" to it like a terry cloth applicator. Apply using heavy handed application to cut through and break down the layer of oxidation. Reapply if necessary to remove any remaining oxidation.
I have used the Meguiar's product extensively with great results. Often, we will have to go over sections of heavier oxidation repeated times to get desired results; this is part of the trade-off with trying to remove oxidation by hand. But with that said, it is also very easy to simply whip out the cleaner wax and applicator, and go to town with no added burden or effort using a buffer.

Meguiars Mirror Glaze #50 Marine/RV Cleaner Wax

Gel Coat Labs One-Step Micro-Polish and Sealant 16 oz.

Fiberglass Restoration/Heavy Duty Polishing

If you are dealing with a heavy layer of oxidation or simply want superior results when it comes to your boat or RV, then there really is no other choice than that of the high speed buffer. By combining the heavy duty power of a car buffer, with the right wool pads, and some user friendly polishes, you are set for maximum results! There simply is no other way to obtain this level of professional results. The good news as I have stated before, is that working on gel coats and fiberglass is very risk friendly to any new, or beginning user of the high speed polisher. With the ability to truly dial in the exact level of aggressiveness, any person can work their way towards success with the buffer. By choosing one of the kits below, you will be armed with professional grade equipment and products!

Makita Professional Buffer

Anyone looking to raise the bar on performance will require the use of a professional grade buffer. This one from Makita is a perfection solution for the demands required to perform polishing of the gel coat or fiberglass RV's. Save money by purchasing this kit which comes with wool polish pads necessary for the removal of more advanced levels of oxidation to your boats gel coat or RV fiberglass. Professional results begin with professional grade equipment that can withstand the requirements necessary for this level of polishing.

Makita 9227C Rotary Polisher

Meguiar's Professional Polishes

Polishes are not all created equal. Don't make polishing your gel coat or fiberglass more difficult by choosing products that will only cause frustration and additional work. The actual polishes I use professionally to polish car paint, gel coats, and fiberglass. You will not find a more user friendly set of polishes! Also comes with foam pads ideally suited for the polishing of car paint. By combining the Makita polishing kit with this kit from Meguiar's, you are now positioned to handle any level of polishing job on all car paint, gel coats, and fiberglass!

Meguiars Ultra Polish Kit with 6.5 Inch Pads

If you are a DeWalt or Gel Coat Labs fan, then this kit is ideally suited for you. As the name implies, Gel Coat Labs formulates their products geared towards use on gel coats and fiberglass. This DeWalt polisher is also the only other polisher next to the Makita above I have used continually at a professional level. This polisher has all the features any professional would need and can withstand the demands necessary for gel coat and fiberglass polishing!

Gel Coat Labs DeWalt DWP849 Total Polishing Kit

As you can see, boat polishing entails many variables for success. From boat polishing by hand or machine, I hope I have helped you become a more informed boat owner and consumer!

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