Figure - Chris-Craft 32 Launch (RJ) Owner's Manual

Storage And Commissioning
Maintaining Your Boat's Gelcoat Finish
Pride of ownership

Figure 4-1

Owner apathy and the state of a boat's gelcoat go hand in hand. Many owners blithely accept
the chalky drab exterior of their boats as a fact of life. After all, bright and shiny gelcoat doesn't make a boat
sail any better or catch more fish, so why bother with maintenance? But keep in mind that a great looking
boat will help you "catch" more customers when the time comes to sell your boat. And, like a clean car, a
clean boat just seems to "run better." So now is the time to breath new life in to your boat's gelcoat! But keep
in mind that a great looking boat will help you "catch" more customers when the time comes to sell your boat.
And, like a clean car, a clean boat just seems to "run better." So now is the time to breathe new life in to your
boat's gelcoat!
Gelcoat is the coating sprayed up against a highly polished mold at the beginning of the fiberglass layup
process. On new boats, this surface is very smooth, mirror-like and pleasing to the eye. As gelcoat ages, it
becomes porous. The more porous it becomes, the more easily it stains, the worse it looks and the harder it
is to clean. The good news is that almost all gelcoat can be restored, providing it is not completely worn
through.
Removing gelcoat stains
There are a wide variety of gelcoat stain removers, each of which is formulated to remove a specific type of
stain. When removing a stain, the objective is to eliminate the stain without damaging the gelcoat itself. Avoid
using strong solvents, such as MEK or acetone, and abrasives such as heavy rubbing compound or, worse,
sandpaper. The best way to minimize gelcoat staining is to seal and protect it with a good quality wax or
polish, then follow up with regular wash downs, using a gentle boat soap, that will leave this protection intact.
Mineral and organic stains
Selection of a stain remover should be based on the type of stain you wish to remove. There are two types of
gelcoat stains: mineral and organic. Organic stains include the discoloration that remains after removal of bird
droppings, plant matter, and spilled food and drink, such as coffee and wine. Mineral stains include rust
stains, which frequently occur around stanchion bases, chain plate covers and exhaust ports. Other com-
mon stains include waterline stains and "black streaks" (which are not always black) caused by minerals
leaching out of dirt as it runs out of scuppers and flows down the hull. Gelcoat stains may be localized or
cover the entire topsides and hull. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, gelcoat stains will eventually occur.
There are a wide variety of gelcoat stain removers, each of which is formulated to remove a specific type of
stain. When removing a stain, the objective is to eliminate the stain without damaging the gelcoat itself. Avoid
using strong solvents, such as MEK or acetone, and abrasives such as heavy rubbing compound or, worse,
sandpaper.
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