FREE US SHIPPING ORDERS OVER $15
How To Use Boat Oxidation Remover

HOW TO USE BOAT OXIDATION REMOVER AND NOT DAMAGE YOUR BOAT

In this article, you will learn:



  • Why oxidation is such a problem for boats

  • How to safely remove oxidation from your boat’s fiberglass

  • How to help prevent oxidation to keep your boat looking new for longer

It’s true that Turtle Wax was founded to help drivers keep their cars looking great, but many of our products work just as well on other vehicles. Take boats, for example. Your boat is exposed to the very same environmental elements as your car. And even though the materials in your boat are different, Turtle Wax products work safely to restore and protect those materials as well. One of the primary concerns for both drivers and boaters is oxidation from the sun’s UV rays. A number of our polishing compounds can work as a marine polish to remove that oxidation from your boat’s finish, and we’ll talk you through the process. It’s easy!

What you need to know

For boat owners, oxidation is a stubborn problem. Because your boat is outside in the sun virtually its entire life, the finish takes a real beating from the sun’s harsh UV rays. Over time, as oxidation worsens, the colors start to fade and the finish looks dull and cloudy, making your boat appear older than it actually is. If your boat is white, the finish may start to yellow. If your finish is dark, it may start to look hazy. This issue is compounded by some of the properties of fiberglass, the structural material that makes up most boats. For all of its strengths in marine products, fiberglass has a real weakness when it comes to oxidation. It allows oxidation to spread and penetrate more deeply into the finish than other materials do, so you need to use an aggressive oxidation remover to penetrate deeply and restore your boat’s colorful, glossy finish.

Pick your polish

For most oxidation removal projects, high-performance polishing compounds for cars’ painted surfaces work as color restorers on boats. We recommend Hybrid Solutions Pro 1 & Done Polishing Compound because it tackles light, medium and heavy oxidation alike. For more aggressive cutting power, just use a heavy-duty polishing pad. For light oxidation, opt for a fine grit pad. Either way, you just need one polish to remove the oxidation and finish out the surface with a beautiful gloss.

pick your polish

Restore that gloss

Using a dual-action polisher, apply a few dime-sized drops of 1 & Done Polishing Compound to a light cut foam polishing pad. Work in one small section, an area about 2’ x 2’, at a time. Apply light to medium pressure, working in a crosshatch pattern. Use the appropriate speed for your machine. Wipe away any residual polish with a clean microfiber cloth and check your work. You will have removed the surface-level oxidation, but, if you still see a hazy or discolored finish, the oxidation has penetrated deeper into the fiberglass. Change to a slightly more aggressive polishing pad and polish the area again. Check your work. Continue these levels of progression until you identify the right pad to remove the deepest oxidation. Once you have the right pad, continue working around the top and sides of your boat in 2’ x 2’ sections, polishing and then wiping the surface clean, until you have removed all oxidation from your boat. For maximum gloss, switch back to the light polishing pad that you started with and polish the top and sides again, working with 1 & Done in 2’ x 2’ sections, all the way around your boat.

Protect your boat

Once you’ve removed all oxidation from the fiberglass, you can help prevent it from oxidizing in the future by applying a protective sealant. Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wax Spray Coating works great to protect against UV rays, soils and stains. Just apply two coats across the top and sides of your boat to keep it looking great longer and make future washes easier!

Again, you’ll work in 2’ x 2’ sections. Shake the container well and spray two mists. With a microfiber cloth, wipe the spray coating into the finish evenly across the area. Flip the cloth to a clean, dry side and buff away any extra product, leaving a beautiful, durable layer of shine and protection. Work your way around the boat, treating the top and sides in 2’ x 2’ areas. For maximum protection, allow the spray coating to cure for 24 hours and then apply a second coating using the same process that you followed with the first coat.

Now that you’ve sealed your boat’s finish, you’ve bought yourself the luxury of time before you’ll need to treat it for oxidation again, and that time is much better spent out on the open water than it is working on your boat. Get out and enjoy it!

hybrid solutions ceramic wax spray coating

WANT MORE TURTLE WAX?

Subscribe for your newsletter and the rewards will be in your inbox before you even get there

Latest

News, events and insights from Turtle Wax® worldwide

Offers

Exclusive offers and discounts on Turtle Wax® products

Rewards

Regular treats and surprises for all subscribers

Thanks! You should receive a confirmation email shortly.