FAQs

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is especially true for boats and RVs. Washing and waxing a new boat or RV is easy and will make ongoing maintenance much easier. Wash your boat or RV frequently with a wash specially formulated for gel coat. Regular household detergents, if used, will strip your wax protection and accelerate oxidation. Wax your new boat or RV immediately with a high-quality wax formulated for gel coat surfaces, then wax at the beginning and end of each season to keep it looking sharp and its finish protected.

Oxidation occurs when environmental exposure dries out the gel coat, causing it to lose both colour and gloss. You should remove the entire dead gel coat before lasting high gloss can be restored.

Lightly oxidized gel coat can be easily restored with a liquid, non-abrasive cleaner/wax such as Meguiar's® No. 50 Cleaner Wax. Unlike most cleaners, this one-step product cleans chemically without using harsh abrasives. This is the only product a properly maintained gel coat will ever need.

Moderate to heavily oxidized gel coat will require more intense measures. Depending on the severity, the object is to remove the layer of oxidized gel coat, which will require a cleaner or compound. After the oxidation has been removed, follow with a high gloss polish to restore gloss, and then a long-lasting wax to protect the newly restored finish. A simple 3-step system can be found in Meguiar's® Fibreglass Restoration System, which includes a cleaner, polish and wax:

• • Meguiar's® M49 Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover safely removes moderate oxidation and defects while enhancing gloss and shine
• • Meguiar's® M45 High Goss Polish contains rich polishing oils to create a brilliant high gloss and maximum shine
• • Meguiar's® M56 Pure Wax maintains an extraordinary gloss while adding durable long-lasting protection

Vinyl surfaces such as seats, pads, sidewalls, fenders, rub rails, etc., are constantly exposed to the elements. If they are not properly cared for, they can deteriorate and become unattractive. Clean your vinyl often with a product like Meguiar's® No. 57 Vinyl/Rubber Cleaner & Protectant, to remove ingrained dirt and grime. Heavily soiled surfaces might require a stronger cleaner and scrubbing with a nylon brush. Vinyl also needs protection from the elements such as the sun's ultraviolet rays. Frequently apply a vinyl protectant to keep the surface from fading and cracking.

Meguiar's® Marine/RV products are specially formulated for gel coat and linear polyurethane (LP) surfaces, which are chemically different than automotive paints. Modern gel coats and LP coatings are harder and more water resistant than automotive paints. Their unique chemical compositions demand special ingredients that are specific to these marine uses and formulated for use in marine environments. Automotive products, although safe, will not achieve the same high-quality results on boats or RVs.

Clear plastic surfaces such as windshields, bridge enclosures, dodgers, cockpit curtains and portholes are easily scratched and dulled, obscuring visibility. This problem is aggravated when the wrong cleaning products are used. To restore clarity to dull and scratched surfaces, use a cleaner specially made for clear plastic surfaces. Meguiar's has developed a very effective plastic cleaner (Meguiar's® PlastX™ Plastic Cleaner) that removes scratches without causing scratching. They are even safe on delicate LEXAN® polycarbonates as well as PLEXIGLAS® acrylic surfaces.