Dalian Ada Ship & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
There are many types of boats. Among various types of boats, fiberglass boats are considered the most sturdy and durable, but they are also more expensive. Therefore, if you purchase this type of product, you need to master the correct maintenance and repair techniques.
Below are some tips for maintaining fiberglass boats for your reference.
(1) Avoid contact with sharp and hard objects. Friction and collision between the fiberglass hull and shore rocks, concrete structures, and metal components will cause scratches and other damage. Protective measures should be taken, such as installing impact-resistant and wear-resistant metal or rubber fenders at the bow, dockside, and sides of the boat, which are frequently subjected to wear and tear, and laying wear-resistant rubber or plastic soft materials on the deck.
(2) Repair any damage promptly. Regularly inspect the hull. If resin shedding, deep scratches, or exposed fibers are found, they must be repaired immediately; otherwise, water penetration will accelerate damage.
(3) When not in use, especially during the cold winter months, store the boat ashore. Because fiberglass has a certain water absorption capacity, water can gradually penetrate the interior along the tiny channels between the fiberglass and resin interface, gradually reducing the strength of the fiberglass. Especially in winter, the penetrating water freezes when it gets cold, expanding the water penetration channels, causing even greater harm. Therefore, when the boat is not in use during the winter, it should be stored ashore away from the water, allowing the penetrating water to evaporate, and the strength can gradually recover. This can extend the service life of the boat. After the boat is ashore, it should be cleaned first, placed upright with padding, and preferably placed indoors. If placed outdoors, it should be covered with a tarpaulin and ventilated frequently to prevent dampness. Any boat temporarily out of use should be stored ashore and maintained away from water.
(4) Do not allow water to accumulate in the boat for extended periods. If there is water in the boat, it should be drained immediately. If acid or alkaline substances such as battery fluid are spilled into the boat, they must be rinsed immediately with water and wiped dry.
(5) Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. A canopy should be set up at the boat's mooring location. Prolonged exposure to sunlight is detrimental to fiberglass, and the gel coat color will also be affected.
(6) Clean regularly. The surface of the boat should be kept clean at all times, and the deck should also be cleaned regularly. Surfaces soiled with oil stains, etc., can be cleaned with ordinary household cleaning agents. Do not use strong corrosive solvents, nor scouring powder or metal wire, as this may leave scratches and affect the appearance. If stains are difficult to remove, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, toluene, xylene, styrene, acetone, etc., can be used for cleaning, but after washing, rinse immediately with clean water to prevent penetration into the structure. Cleaning can also be assisted with tools such as scrapers, but use bamboo, wood, or plastic pieces with hardness lower than fiberglass to avoid scratching the surface. For wiping, use soft materials such as sweat towels, gauze, soft towels, and soft foam plastic.
(7) Remove salt deposits promptly. Boats sailing in sea areas should also promptly remove salt crystals (salt frost) attached to the boat's surface, as salt crystals have a focusing effect like a convex lens under sunlight, which will accelerate the aging of the surface fiberglass under high temperature.
(8) Wax and polish regularly. To keep the hull shiny and protect the gel coat, the boat's exterior should be waxed and polished regularly. Car wax or fiberglass-specific polishing wax can be used. Apply two to three coats, with a 2-hour interval between each coat, to form a tough wax film on the fiberglass surface. Preferably use a hand-held polisher to polish the surface to a bright, new finish.
(9) Apply paint to maintain appearance and durability. New boats with a gel coat have a beautiful appearance, but after two or three years of use, the color gradually fades and loses its luster, with darker colors fading more than lighter colors. To maintain the beautiful appearance of the boat, when the gel coat is old and has many scratches, paint can be applied. Among various paints, polyurethane and epoxy resin paints are the best. Before painting, the boat surface should be cleaned, waxed with a cleaning agent, and water-sanded. Deep scratches should be filled with epoxy putty. Do the preparatory work according to the paint requirements before applying the paint (preferably spraying). After painting, the boat will look as beautiful as a new one.
If you can maintain your fiberglass boat using the correct methods, your boat will surely last longer and be more satisfying!
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