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P - 4
FIBERGLASS CARE & MAINTENANCE
Fiberglass is affected by weathering processes and re-
quires maintenance on a periodic basis to help maintain
the beauty and shine. The effects upon the gel coat will
be dependent upon boating conditions, storage, type of
use, and the care given to the boat during the boating
season.
Four Winns utilizes fade-fighting gel coat in the exterior
finish. It is specially formulated to resist fading and yel-
lowing, and retain more of its original gloss than better
grade gel coats. However, it is still important to maintain
the gel coat to protect the finish.
A. General Maintenance
For fresh water use, the boat should be washed once or
twice a month. When using in a salt water environment,
considerable more care will be necessary. Be careful
when selecting a cleaning agent. Hand dish washing
detergents are usually gentle and are recommended for
cleaning gel coat. Cleaning products such as Ivory™ or
Dawn™ hand dish washing liquid can be safely used.
Always read the label before using any product.
NOTICE
DO NOT use acetone, paint thinner, solvents,
or strong alkaline based detergents, nor clea-
ners with a "gritty" and abrasive texture. Avoid
products which contain sodium phosphate.
Common examples of these types of household
cleaning agents are: Tide™, Oxydol™, Janit-
or-in-a-Drum™, Fantastik™, Clorox™, etc. Al-
ways read the label before using an agent.
There are several products available which are specifi-
cally designed to clean fiberglass exterior finishes. Many
companies like Johnson & Johnson®, Turtle Wax®, etc.
manufacture cleaning fluids mild enough to clean with-
out stripping the wax.
NOTICE
Treading on a soiled fiberglass surface can se-
verely scratch and mar the finish. Keep the fi-
berglass as clean as possible.
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378
When cleaning skid-resistant areas, DO NOT attempt
to use a wire brush or sandpaper because this will re-
move the skid-resistant gel.
Apply wax once or twice a year to maintain gel coat lus-
tre. Read the label before using any product. Make
sure product is formulated for gel coat surfaces. Also,
consult a Four Winns dealer for their recommendations.
NOTICE
Do not use carnuba based waxes. This type
of wax yellows over time and makes the fiber-
glass appear yellow.
Waxing decks, cockpit floors or other walking
areas is not recommended. Waxing will pro-
duce a very slippery surface, especially when
wet. Wax may also buildup in the skid-resistant
surfaces. Be sure all persons wear deck shoes
while aboard the boat. Footing will be improved
and feet will be protected from accidental cuts
and bruises.
A darkening or discoloration of the skid-resistant surfac-
es can sometimes occur as a result of wax buildup. Expo-
sure to the sun and elements can turn the wax darker, or
occasionally can cause it to become flaky or powdery.
To remove, use fine rubbing compound and a low RPM
buffer (1200 to 2000 RPM). Apply light pressure and
keep the buffer moving at all times to prevent heat build-
up. Read the directions before using any equipment.
B. Weathering Effects on Gel Coat
Weathering occurs from direct sunlight, water, chemi-
cals, and dust. Some of the terms below describe the
changes that can occur to the gel coat surface.
Chalking is a result of the gel coat's top surface being
broken down into an extremely fine powder. When this
happens, the color whitens. The chalk is present on the
surface only.
Fading is the uniform change in color. This happens
when the actual pigments have changed color, espe-
cially from excessive chalking, or when the gel coat has
either been stained or bleached by something.
Section P
Page 2
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