Ship maintenance

How to clean a boat and restore the surface of a marine gelcoat

Get ready for the sailing season with Mirka Polarshine® Marine cleaning products. Polarshine Marine range of cleaning products includes products for washing, cleaning, painting and protecting gel coated boat surfaces. Together with other Mirka Polarshine products, this is the perfect solution to help keep your boat looking flawless from one season to the next.

Restore the shine of the older gel coat surface. Protect your boat easily with Polarshine® Marine.

Mirka Polarshine® Marine product range is designed to easily and effectively remove stains from boat surfaces.

Here's how you can upgrade your ship using the Mirka method. Cleaning the ship.

1/7 - Full process. Refurbishment of the ship's surface.

Get ready for the sailing season with Mirka Polarshine® Marine cleaning products! The Polarshine Marine range of cleaning products includes products for washing, cleaning, painting and protecting gel coated boat surfaces. Together with other Mirka Polarshine products, this is the perfect solution to help keep your boat looking flawless from one season to the next.

You can watch the full video here or check out this listing for the practical details of the detailed process.

Preparation for washing.

1. Start with Polarshine® Marine Deep Clean.
2. Dilute the oxalic acid-based cleaner in a ratio of 1:3 to 1:10, depending on the amount of dirt. Spray with a sprayer.
3. Using an exfoliating brush will give you an even better wash.
4. Leave for 5-10 minutes if you are inside (if you are outside, temperature and weather conditions may affect the waiting time). Rinse with water.
5. Be sure to wash the trailer as well.

Washing

1. Use Polarshine Marine Boat Wash.
2. Dilute the product in a ratio of 1:30 to 1:100, depending on the amount of dirt. Spray with a sprayer.
3. Using an exfoliating brush will give you an even better wash.
4. Cleaner neutralizes the surface. Leave on for 1-5 minutes and rinse.
5. Dry with a microfiber cloth.

Recommendation: sand the surface if it is in poor condition. If the surface is only faded, polishing will be enough.

Sanding

Sanding a surface in poor condition is not mandatory.

1. Sand with Mirka DEROS and 2000 grit Abralon sanding agent and water. Recommended RPM: 6000-8000 RPM. Abralon grinds until dust is formed.
2. Wipe the surface clean before sanding with 4000 grit. This will extend the life of the disc.
3. Wipe with a microfiber cloth before polishing.

Polishing

Polish a dry surface.

1. Use Mirka PS 1437 and lambswool base in Pro.
2. Polish the surface with Polarshine 10 polish using a polishing base. Recommended RPM: 900-1100 RPM.
3. Light surfaces: Polarshine 10 and yellow lambswool base Pro. Dark surfaces: additional Polarshine 5 and yellow wafer-type foam polishing base to remove prominent imperfections.

Cleaning

1. After polishing, remove all polish residue with Polarshine® Marine Final Finish.
2. Wet the surface and spray Polarshine® Marine Shield onto the sponge and surface to be coated. NOTE! The surface must be moist.

Coverage

1. Wait a little. You will notice when the coating starts to shrink.
2. Rinse off excess coating. Always use a pressure washer.
3. Dry with a microfiber cloth.
4. Allow the coating to harden for at least 12 hours (in a dry place at +5-25°C).
5. The coating protects the surface for one sailing season.

Q&A: Restoring Old Gel Coating on Boats

Why is it necessary to maintain the surface of the gel coat of the ship?

Composite materials such as fiberglass are used to make boats, the outer layer of which is covered with a gel layer. The surfaces of the gel coating are long-lasting, resistant to ultraviolet rays and hydrolysis. And we're not just talking about the look of the updated surface. Repairing cracked surfaces will protect your boat from salt, dirt, mold and excess moisture.

Is it possible to renew the surface of the ship's gel coating?

It is allowed. Regular waxing of the gelcoat surface can extend the life of your boat's gelcoat by 15 years or more. Keep your boat looking great for longer with quality products.

What is the surface oxidation of the ship's gel coating?

If the surface of the ship is not properly maintained, it takes on a porous, chalk-like appearance. The main cause of oxidation is ultraviolet rays, which slowly degrade the surface and damage the unprotected gel coating.

Maintaining a boat has never been easier

I recommend Mirka Polarshine boat products to anyone who really wants to take care of their boat. The result is incredible - 42-year-old Emma looks like new again. I was surprised how easy it was to work with. - Kristoffer Pietikäinen, ship owner, Finland

A better choice for you and the environment. Water-based polishes.

All Mirka polishes are water-based and manufactured in Finland. Water-based polishing compounds have many advantages.

• Effective long-term scratch removal - water-based compounds remove scratches permanently. Solvent-based compounds may lose their gloss after cleaning with a degreaser, and in some cases they only temporarily hide scratches.
• Safer for the user - no dangerous chemicals.
• Sustainable – Water-based polishes are more environmentally friendly because they do not contain benzene or similar hazardous chemicals.

Save health, time and money. Dust-free sanding.

Do you end up in a cloud of dust while sanding? Try Mirka's advanced grinding solutions and see how a dust-free working environment can contribute to your business success.

Benefits of dustless sanding

A healthier working environment - prevent dust from entering your lungs

You save time - there is no need to clean up after sanding, and clean abrasives sand better

Save money - anti-clogging, so you can use the same abrasive for longer

Quality finish - due to a finer scratch pattern