How to Deoxidize Your Boat

If you’re a boat owner, one important yet often overlooked element of boat maintenance you should prioritize is deoxidation. This is a necessary task to ensure your boat looks its best for its entire lifespan.

Boat oxidation is a problem that can affect the fiberglass surfaces of your boat, particularly on the hull. Oxidation is a type of chemical reaction that occurs between metals that contain oxygen and moisture in the water or air. It can create ugly spots on the surface of the boat that can really detract from its appearance—and even your desire to get out on the water in the vessel.

The gel coats on the hull are typically the first spots to show the effects of oxidation. There are a variety of products you can find that will help you deal with oxidation on a fiberglass boat, and you should put them to use as soon as you see the gel coat starting to show signs of degradation.

One of the most common examples of such a product is a fiberglass rubbing compound, which you can find from various brands at online retailers or at any store that sells boating maintenance supplies. You can apply this type of compound and see effective results while not having to worry about damaging the gel coat. If the oxidation comes off easily, you won’t have to do much work to get the rest of the gel coat to where it needs to be.

Preventing oxidation from occurring

There are also some steps you can take to prevent oxidation from becoming a significant problem with your boat. Rather than having to be reactive and wait for signs of oxidation to start showing up, you can be proactive by regularly washing your boat with fresh water, letting it dry properly and regularly waxing the surface.

You should also educate yourself about the various stages of oxidation:

• Early signs: You should already be regularly washing your boat; as you perform this chore, make sure you pay extra-close attention to the gel coat. It should be clear and reflective throughout most of the surface. If, however, you notice some chalky-looking areas, these are the first signs of oxidation, meaning you need to spring into action before the problem worsens.
• Moderate oxidation: If your hull has a generally dull appearance, this could be a sign that your boat is starting to have extensive issues with oxidation. If you’ve been washing the hull regularly but this isn’t solving the problem, this could be a problem with oxidation.
• Severe oxidation: Once you start to see an overall chalky appearance and problems with pitting in the hull, this is an indicator that the oxidation problem has grown extensive and will require some significant care.

Want more tips about how you can address oxidation as it occurs or prevent it from happening at all? Get in touch with the team of experts at Trinity Alps Marina today with any questions you have for us.

Categorised in: Boat Maintenance

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