Why Your Boat’s Gelcoat Fades — And What It Takes to Fix It

If your boat is starting to look dull, chalky, or faded, you're likely dealing with oxidized gelcoat—and restoring it is not as simple as a quick polish.

Here’s what you need to know:

What Is Gelcoat?

Gelcoat is the tough outer layer used on most fiberglass boats. It’s thicker and harder than car paint, designed to protect the fiberglass underneath from water and UV damage.

But here’s the catch: gelcoat is porous—and over time, exposure to sunlight, saltwater, and air causes it to oxidize, leaving a faded, dry, or chalky finish.

Why Does Gelcoat Oxidize?

Boats spend most of their time in the sun and while that may be enjoyable for us, it is not enjoyable for your boats finish. Sunlight, especially UV rays, gradually breaks down gelcoat through a process known as photodegradation. This happens when ultraviolet radiation weakens the chemical structure of the resin (Gelcoat), leading to fading, oxidation or chalking, and eventually surface deterioration. High temperatures can speed up this damage and, over time, it may contribute to deeper wear or structural issues.

Is It Easy to Fix?

Not even close.

Restoring gelcoat is labor-intensive, especially if the oxidation is severe. You can’t just buff it and call it good, although we wish it were that easy.

Depending on the boat’s size and condition, a full restoration can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.

How We Properly Restore Gelcoat:

1. Deep Clean – Remove dirt, grime, salt, and surface contamination.

2. Assess the Oxidation – Determine if it needs just a polish, compounding-polish, or complete wet-sanding and paint correction by doing a test spot first.

3. Wet Sanding (If Needed) – For deep oxidation, we wet sand to remove the damaged layer.

4. Compounding – Using a rotary or dual-action polisher and marine-grade cutting compound, we remove heavy oxidation.

5. Polishing – Used either as a stand-alone or the next step after compounding, polishing refines the finish and restores that rich, glossy look.

6. Seal or Coat – After removing oxidation, we highly recommend protecting the restored finish from oxidizing again by using a durable sealant or a protective high-grade ceramic coating

   
   

How Long Does It Take?

Depending on the severity of oxidation and size of the boat, the time it takes to completely restore an oxidized boat can vary widely, the times below are a rough estimate for a 18' tracker.

• Light oxidation: 3–6 hours

• Moderate: 6–12 hours

• Heavy/Severe: 15–20+ hours

Larger boats or deep oxidation may take multiple days of dedicated work.

🧼 Pro Tip: Wax alone won’t cut it for long-term protection. A ceramic or polymer sealant bonds better and lasts much longer—keeping your boat glossier and easier to clean.