When Your Hull Needs More Than a Polish
A standard polish corrects light haze and minor swirl marks. But boats in South Florida accumulate damage beyond what a single-stage polish can fix: deep scratches from dock contact, swirl marks from improper washing, water spot etching from hard marina water, and heavy oxidation from years of UV exposure without adequate protection.
Gelcoat restoration is the answer. It is a multi-stage correction process that systematically removes surface damage layer by layer until the gelcoat is smooth, clear, and reflective again.
Our Restoration Process
- Full marine wash and decontamination: Removes all surface contaminants so we can see and feel the actual gelcoat condition
- Damage assessment: We map every scratch, scuff, swirl, and oxidation zone to determine the number of correction stages needed
- Heavy cut compound: Aggressive first stage using a cutting compound and wool or microfiber pad to remove the deepest damage. This is where dock rash, deep scratches, and heavy oxidation are addressed
- Medium cut refinement: Removes the haze and marring left by the heavy cut stage, refining the surface toward clarity
- Finishing polish: Final stage produces a deep, wet-look gloss with zero swirl marks or haze visible under direct light
- Protection application: Freshly corrected gelcoat is sealed with ceramic coating or marine-grade wax
What Gelcoat Restoration Fixes
- Heavy oxidation and chalking: Restores color depth and reflectivity to gelcoat that has gone flat from UV damage
- Scratches and scuffs: Removes surface-level marks from dock contact, fender rub, and trailer guides
- Swirl marks: Eliminates circular marks caused by rotary buffers, improper washing technique, or abrasive towels
- Water spot etching: Levels the gelcoat surface where mineral deposits from hard water have left permanent marks
- Faded or mismatched color: Evens out areas where UV damage has caused uneven fading across the hull
Protection After Restoration
A gelcoat restoration is a significant investment of time and labor. Leaving the corrected surface unprotected would allow UV and salt to begin degrading it immediately. We always seal restored gelcoat with either ceramic coating (2 to 3 years of protection) or marine wax (4 to 8 weeks per application).
Where We Work
Gelcoat restoration is performed at your marina slip, private dock, or driveway. We service boats throughout Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach.