How to Refurbish Fiberglass Boats

There are few things more satisfying to an experienced boater than refurbishing or restoring a fiberglass boat to its original boat show luster. Many new boat owners look at a dull, chalky, faded fiberglass hull and assume that the boat is ready for the scrap heap. Sometimes, that assumption could not be further from the truth. Some boats, although they look like they have fallen into neglect, are mechanically sound, still float and just require a little tender loving care. Depending on the boat's condition, refurbishing could take as little as a weekend or as long as an entire off-season.

Things You'll Need

• Boat wash
• Sponge
• Bilge cleaner
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Rubbing compound
• Electric buffer
• Polish
• Shop rags
• Boat wax
• Vacuum cleaner
• Carpet cleaning solution
• Vinyl cleaner
• Fabric cleaner
• Teak cleaner
• Teak oil

Instructions

1. Remove all seat cushions and fabric panels from the boat.

2. Wash the boat thoroughly, inside and out using a boat wash solution, commonly available at most marinas, and a sponge. Ensure that all dirt and debris are removed from the outer hull, decks, cockpit, bilge and cabin, if equipped.

3. Clean below decks in the bilge with a bilge cleaner solution, commonly available at most marinas, and a stiff-bristled brush. Test the bilge pump by installing a freshly charged battery in the boat and turning on the bilge pump switch while the bilge is still full of bilge cleaning solution and water from cleaning the bilge. Replace the bilge pump if necessary.

4. Buff the entire outer surface of the hull using a rubbing compound that is suitable for use on fiberglass gelcoat and an electric buffer.

5. Install a clean buffing pad on the buffer. Polish the boat with a good marine grade polish to remove any swirl marks left by the rubbing compound.

6. Install another clean buffing pad on the buffer. Apply a coat of boat wax to one section of the boat. Allow the wax to dry to a haze. Remove the haze with the electric buffer. Move onto the next section and repeat. Move from one section to the other, waxing the entire boat, inside and out. Apply wax to smooth surfaces only. Do not apply wax to any bumpy fiberglass surfaces on the deck. Applying wax where boaters or passengers walk with wet feet could lead to an injury.

7. Remove all dirt and debris from carpeted surfaces with a vacuum cleaner. Shampoo the carpets with a carpet cleaning solution to ensure that the carpeting is clean and free of mildew.

8. Clean all seat cushions and fabric wall panels with either vinyl cleaner or a fabric cleaning solution, whichever is applicable. Repair or replace any torn vinyl or fabric, as necessary.

9. Clean any teak on the boat with teak cleaner and a wire brush to remove dirt and grime. Let the teak dry. Apply a coat of teak oil to all teak surfaces with a shop rag, and let the teak oil dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that all mechanical systems and electrical systems are either in good working order or repairable at a reasonable cost before attempting to refurbish the boat.

• Read and follow the instructions on all cleaners, compounds and tools.

• Always read and follow the directions on power tools.

• Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

• Wear protective clothing when working with caustic cleaners such as bilge cleaner.

• Do not flush or wash toxic cleaner into the water.