How can i Bring the luster back to my fiberglass center console?

Question

also the same question for the gel coat

Answer 1

We have a 1980 27' Aloha sailboat. I use nothing but Starbrite Marine polish. Easy to apply and buff off. (Yep, I go around TWICE for the "showroom shine".) Takes about eight hours. Beads well at end-of-season and also has UV protection. I tried 3-M wax, but I found the grit to be quite aggressive and was leery of rubbing through the gelcoat. (THERE'S an expensive exercise...)

Poli-Glow is recommended as a last-ditch solution to a boat that will end up needing major cosmetic surgery in the not-too-distant future. After applying it, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to buff  and the vessel will begin to look neglected and dirty. E-mail me and I'll send pictures of a couple of boats that were "Poli-Glowed" two years ago.

AND if anyone suggests "Island Girl" products... run bravely away!

Good Luck

Answer 2

i would clean it well and then have it clear coated... it will bring back the shine, color and luster.

Answer 3

The only thing I got to work on my 1987 Skeeter Bass Boat three years ago was rubbing compound/heavy cleaner from Turtrle Wax.  It became very oxidized and dirty from sitting outside in the sun, and plain old dirt.  I tried several different things and nothing brought it back the way I wanted it. (I never tried the things siggested above me).  Anyway, I tried the compound with a soft wet rag/towel and and keep the surface wet as I used it. I started out doing all the hard to get to areas first, by hand.  It did such a wonderful job, I pulled off all raillings and got the buffer out.  Be sure to keep the buffer head very wet.  Do not press hard, or stay in the same spot to long, as the gel will burn.  Do not let the compound dry before removing it.  I kept a 5 gal. bucket of clean water next to me, with a couple of larger rags in it.  As I did a area, I would wipe it right off.  I was shooked on how nice it turned out.  It was a ton of work, but well worth it.  I don't put wax on my boats, I use Pledge.  The same thing my Wife uses at home.  Someone told me about it, I'm not smart enough to figure that on my own.  It leaves a lite coat of wax on the glass and don't seem to build up.  I always give them the big cleaning in the spring, when I bring them out for warm weather.  The Pledge seems to come off easy enough so I don't get a build up.  The sun is your boats worst enemy, but hard to avoid.  The cleaner/compound I'm talking about comes in a red and white can, with a red plastic removable cover.  I use it also on the cars I sell here, to remove buildup, and small rust runs.  Stuff works great for me.  Plus, it won't break the bank.

Answer 4

baby oil will make it look like new ;)  just wipe it over with a rag

Answer 5

Try Poli Glow.  It is a clear-coat which has a gloss level more than 5 times that of wax and lasts over 12 months, even in the Florida sunshine.  They featured it on  the TV show "Ship Shape"  and Powerboat Reports (now defunct) gave it rave reviews.

Answer 6

White machine rubbing compound and a wheel>