How To Clean A Fiberglass Boat (The Easy Way!)

Gelcoat Stains are a common problem, that's okay because I will be showing you how to make your gelcoat look great with just a few easy steps! If this video was helpful, please remember to subscribe like comment and share. Thanks for watching!
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[@doug8369]

I made an account just to like your video and support the channel. Appreciate you cutting out all the fluff and nonsense. Your style is 10/10

[@FishBumpTV]

That's fantastic! I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the channel!

[@jonnooney7102]

You have a talent for eliminating the fluff and keeping the meat of the things that are helpful to a boat owner. There are a lot of videos out there covering the same subject but yours are by far the best organized and respectful of our time which is huge to me.

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thank you Jon! I will try to stick to the recipe on future vids. The channel made it to 10k subs last week, and it's because of yalls support, I truly appreciate you guys!

[@michelleagnew2864]

I am definitely going to review other videos you’ve made on this channel as I have a project boat and would love to see her shining! Thank you for putting this video together. And bravo to the camera man! He’s the BEST!😇

[@FishBumpTV]

Fantastic! Glad you are finding the videos helpful! I will pass the compliment to cameraman Logan, I am sure he will appreciate it. And good luck with your project!

[@josephwhitehead1692]

I've been following you for quite some time now and I appreciate you divulging some "trade secrets" like this to the average boater like me to help save some money. These are products I've never heard of, let alone tried. Since my catamaran is 23 years old, she shows her age but I think these products can bring back her shine.

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, thanks for watching! And welcome to the channel. We have new videos coming soon. Any suggestions for future content would be much appreciated!

[@markturner9459]

These how to videos are extremely helpful. I have an older boat and these videos are extremely valuable.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@billbaute3102]

Years ago I found out from the marina cleaning my sailboat's hull they used wood bleach. I've been using this for years now on my Key West 1720, applying with a long handled brush. Bought the KW in '97 and it still looks new. Most hardware stores carry it. Comes in solid form and last time it was $5 for a small tub. Doesn't take much and lasts a long time.

[@FishBumpTV]

Great tip! I have not tried that, but sounds like a great option. I think I will give it a try on our next project. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@franktrucchio3979]

New subscriber. Great presentation and informative.

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, welcome to the channel! I will try to stick to the same formula on future vids. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@brian1715]

I’ve had fantastic luck removing water stains or rust stains with the on and off product. Spray it on spray it off just make sure not to get it on your trailer or it. Can it basically a pretty much like you’re using it it’s amazing how fast that stuff works, anyways thank you for always reading the comments and replying to them personally keep up the good work!! Ohhh magic erasers too those things are godsend for boats!! if you buy the Mr. clean eraser mop, it works great for nonskid

[@FishBumpTV]

Great tips! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and share your experience with the channel!

[@Mister-fj7qi]

Thanks for the quick and direct way to clean the hull. Very informative!

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@captcol8335]

Great results and video. I made the mistake of using diluted bleach on my bpoat non-skid. It resulted in yellow staining on the deck. I plan to use oxalic acid( hull cleaner) to clean my bleach stains. I have used it before on the exterior hull with a paint roller with great results. Like you said, it must be followed with a wax sealer to prevent repeat stains.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the channel and for watching!

[@TriCSyndicate]

I learn something new everytime I watch one of these videos. Thanks for making them.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad to help! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@1stinsonguy]

Joe, thanks for this video. Is the hull cleaner hydrochloric acid which I have tried on my hull exterior, or a percentage thereof?

[@BillHubbard-yo4ls]

Direct and to the point! very helpful information. thank you!

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate you watching!

[@DondiTrent]

Capt Joe there are so many videos I missed this is a great video I guess it's like fish the one that got away Lol! Capt Joe I wasn't sure if you have ever use Flood penetrol on fiberglass conditioning it helps improve shine as well as sealing the surface it's primarily used in painting for better flow out easier brushing and leveling it also works well on faded plastic bumper trim hopefully y'all have a great day!

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Interesting! No, I have never used it, I will have to give it a try!

[@chrisr819]

Thats great content and well presented, subscribed. I have a cat and after it was long on a boatyard due to a big repair washed the antiskid down with some strong cleaners. Afterwards used the starbright deck cleaner which has a PTFE coat so dirt doesn't stick so easily. I always used that deck cleaner and worked great but now even after several applications it doesn't work anymore, dirt sticks to the antiskid and i have to use deck cleaner and scrub or the pressure washer. What to do? Should i clean like in the video with hull cleaner and then seal it with wax??

[@andycalcutt2177]

Perfect timing for this video, looking at a 21' CC thats a little yellowed from use and/or sitting in the sun. Do you think it will whiten sun fade also?

[@FishBumpTV]

Cool! It might help! If it doesn't, you might have to do some wet sanding and polishing. We just posted a gelcoat sand and polish video that should be very helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@rileyblundell6638]

Capt Joe, really loving the videos mate. Im from Australia and have actually only just found your videos the last couple of weeks and since then I've learnt so much. Im currently rebuilding my 17ft seafarer. Its a 1972 model and I've been able to buff the orange gelcoat up pretty good much some areas its starting to get a little thin in spots. my question is what grit sand paper would you sand the whole boat back with also would you recommend doing by hand or with a orbital sander? I want to re spray the the hull and sand it back to a gloss finish. I would also love to see a video of you spraying gelcoat and what your bests tips and trick are there. keep the videos coming 👍👍👍

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, thanks for watching all the way from Australia 🇦🇺! We use a lot of 80 or 120 grit paper when preparing old gelcoated surfaces for new gelcoat. That may sound pretty aggressive, but it puts a real nice texture down for the new gelcoat to really grab onto. I would definitely use a orbital sander for this if you have one. Remember, it usually takes 4 to 5 coats of gelcoat if you plan on wetsanding and polishing back to a shine. I hope to do a video on this process very soon for everyone. I hope this helps, and best of luck with your project!

[@rileyblundell6638]

@@FishBumpTV thanks for the reply, yeah awesome I’ll go over it with 120 👍 it would be cool to see some videos on how you spray gel coat and what spray gun you use. Do you use a gravity gun or a proper gel coat cup gun ? Cheers

[@2ndbar]

Thanks for making this video. I have two boats to clean.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad I could help!

[@chrisguerette4307]

Looks great. Question - what effect does bleach have on the gel coat?

[@FishBumpTV]

Bleach and hull cleaners are commonly used on gelcoat. I usually limit the time I leave the cleaning agent on the surface. As soon as the stains disappear I wash down with plenty of water. I don't recommend letting it stay so long as to dry out. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@carldulaney6570]

Barkeeper's Friend works in a pinch

[@MikeJones-kj9ob]

So that acid doesn't damage any of the metal hardware on the boat or trailer? 😢

[@blessedspearos]

Whats the brand you used for spray on ? Is not starbrite boat hull cleaner

[@FishBumpTV]

It's a local brand that distributes in bulk. Starbrite and others make comparable products, though. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Wildcater86]

What is the easiest way to keep water spots off the hull? My boat is big and sits on a lift. So I need something that I can spray it on with a hose or sprayer. Thinking of using a vinegar mix so I don’t spend $25 every time I clean it. Suggestions?

[@jasonbeaudoin8359]

I use toilet bowl cleaner it’s super cheap. I put it in a pump sprayer give it a couple minutes a quick scrub and rinse and done.

[@FishBumpTV]

I will have to try that! Thanks for watching!

[@cathyg7671]

Would this work on a fiberglass bathtub?

[@FishBumpTV]

I would think so, but it is basically an industrial grade acid, so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to use it indoors. It's always better to be safe than sorry when working with these products. I still recommend a high-quality mask, eye protection, and a mask when working with these products. I hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

[@mattlord2906]

I live in WA, it's a boat state, but getting products off the counter at any hardware, automotive or even Walmart, have nothing on the shelves. All order everything online. Walmart used to sell silver bonds and airplane paint stripper. But don't carry any of that anymore. I haven't checked a marine supply shop because that's like buying it from 7-11

[@FishBumpTV]

At least you should be able to find most of the products we use online. We try to link our products we use below the videos description. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@Jschroeder1011]

muriatic acid also works wonders. of course dilute with water and get it off quick.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@19optimist]

thanks good tips

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad to help!

[@28704joe]

Klean-Strip Muriatic acid or Concrete and metal prep . Found at lowes or Home depot. Kleans those stains right off.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the tip! I appreciate you watching!

[@kevinhowell463]

Am I wrong that you called it Spray 9 but you were using Simple Green? So which one did you use?

[@FishBumpTV]

We used a commercial grade acid based hull cleaner, or ospho for cleaning and removing gelcoat stains. Hope this helps and thanks for watching

[@bojangles8837]

I have some really tough waterline and transom stains (Nautor Swan 53) I have tried a muratic acid cleaning solution with little luck. Seems to be really deep in GelCoat. How is this product different. Wish I could put in photo to show you. Sugestions?

[@bojangles8837]

I put some photos in your facebook

[@FishBumpTV]

You might try a different brand of hull cleaner to see if you get better results. If that doesn't work you might have to wet sand, compound and polish the stains out. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!

[@bojangles8837]

@@FishBumpTV thanks

[@slagletoby]

Softscub with bleach works good, if that doesn’t work I’ll use On/Off.

[@FishBumpTV]

Very cool! Thanks for watching and commenting!