If you’ve had a great season so far, chances are that the spit and polish you put on your boat’s gelcoat finish this past spring is losing some its luster. Boating Lab has tested many of the best surface finishes for your boat, and here are our favorites, along with our recommendations of best applications for you.
303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating
Graphene is formally graphene oxide mechanically and chemically separated from graphite, yielding translucent molecular plates. The electrons of those plates are charged in such a way that they are attracted to and attach to one another. When suspended in ceramic (which is silicon dioxide), they align and bond to one another on the hull’s surface in a tenacious honeycomb quilt that stops UV light, dissipates heat, sheds water, and protects hulls with a brilliant shine.
My boat hull’s gelcoat finish has remained glossy and free of oxidation 18 months after treatment. Even the manufacturer was surprised by that.
How We Did It: To get that result, we executed a three-stage polishing regimen with a power buffer, progressing from coarse to medium to fine grit. When we were finished, the unprotected gelcoat had a mirrorlike finish. Graphene oxide is unforgiving of anything less.
The 303 Graphene Nano Coating has to be laid down in a thin layer that allows the graphene plates to align and bind over the surface in an armorlike layer. Because 303 Graphene is packaged in a spray bottle, it’s tempting to spray it on and wipe it off. Don’t. Instead, spray it on a fine-napped foam-backed microfiber pad. We used one from 303 that was about twice the size and thickness of a bar of soap. Wipe it on the hull in cross-hatch motions, back and forth, up and down, and move on to the next section. Done correctly, the moist film will be barely visible. Let it dry just a few minutes, then wipe it off. Work in small patches for a mirrorlike finish that amplifies the quality of the surface below it. The company suggests using 303 Graphene Detailer combined with frequent washings with wax-free boat soap to maintain a gleaming finish.
Best For: The 303 Graphene boasts a one-year efficacy, but in spite of my long-lasting results, applying it long before the 12-month mark will be far less work. If you meticulously care for your boat, washing it frequently and compounding it annually to remove all oxidation, you’ll have the foundation for a top-shelf result that will shine all season. A power buffer is essential to this work, as is a patient eye and a strong arm.
Gtechniq Rinse-On Ceramic
Gtechniq’s Rinse-On Ceramic Coating is easy to use, providing three months of protection—enough for most North American boaters’ main season—and it’s easy to renew midseason for more longevity. It still, however, requires the same flawless surface preparation as graphene for best results. For a more durable ceramic coating, Fast Coat is available for DIY as well, and it is included in Gtechniq’s Marine Aftercare Kit. Fast Coat can be applied in the same manner as graphene.
How We Did It: We used Gtechniq’s UV Wash, a high-sudsing detergent with an ultraviolet protectant formulated to assist the ceramic bond on the boat’s finish. We mixed a few ounces in a couple of gallons of water, washed it on, and rinsed it off. Gtechniq offers a Multi-Stage Polish compound that begins as a coarse grit but breaks down into successively smaller grit during the polishing process. It’s simple and proved effective in our test with a power buffer. Polishing by hand is far too arduous. When washing and buffing, pay special attention to the transom area, where engine exhaust is apt to “station wagon” and foul the transom. Gtechniq’s Panel Wipe is an alcohol-based compound which ensures that petroleum, organic wax or polish residue is removed from the hull’s surface. Wipe it onto the surface until it slides smoothly across the application area. Follow up by wiping down with a dry, clean microfiber towel to be sure that all residue is removed from the boat’s finish.
After all this, the hull is ready for the Rinse-On Ceramic Coating. Attach a hose to the included spray applicator, set the application rate to 50 percent, and spray it on. Continue until the water begins to bead up, indicating that the ceramic is bonding to the gelcoat. It might take two or three passes to achieve the water-beading effect, but when you get it, you’re done.
Best For: Ceramic coatings are slightly more forgiving than graphene, in that they won’t tint the finish if improperly applied. Though they provide ample UV protection, their clarity will reveal remaining oxidation—even amplify it in some cases and allow it to continue beneath the surface. The good news is, once properly applied, frequent reapplication after washing is easy and will take only a few minutes to maintain the shine.
Meguiar’s Premium Marine Wax
This compound promises protection from UV damage and enriches the color and shine. It is advertised to remove light oxidation, and it will do so nicely. However, the product description suggests using the wax only after the surface has been cleaned and restored to a “like new” or “average” finish, so if your boat has been neglected, it is better to follow the preparations used either for graphene or ceramic. Regardless, this marine wax will remove light oxidation, particularly when used with a power buffer, and is more forgiving on less-than-perfect surfaces. It has a clean, pine-like aroma rather than the petroleum smell associated with other waxes.
Read Next: Applying Spray-On Ceramic Coating
Star brite Deck Cleaner With PTEF
Star brite Deck Cleaner with PTEF is a regular part of our boat-maintenance regimen. It works well on both diamond nonskid and grit-style nonskid. In our tests, its detergentlike character has removed cola, food and fish guts. It wasn’t so effective on wine stains, so drink that dockside. In addition, it leaves a finish on the deck that reduces future staining. Wash the boat and deck first using a detergent, then finish up by squirting it directly to the nonskid surface, spread it with a boat brush, let stand, scrub, then rinse. For extra protection, squirt on another treatment and let it dry. Doing that will leave a more-stain-repellent finish for the next outing.
