Boat Restoration Technical Support Guide Last updated: February 2026 Boat restoration is the process of repairing, rebuilding, and refinishing fiberglass boats to restore structural integrity, appearance, and long-term performance. This technical support guide serves as a master reference for understanding materials, repair methods, and best practices used in modern fiberglass boat restoration. This page is designed as a living knowledge base. Each section below will continue ...
Preparing Gelcoat for Awlgrip Paint Systems When applying Awlgrip or Awlcraft coatings over fiberglass boats, proper preparation of existing or new gelcoat is critical for long-term adhesion and finish quality. Most adhesion failures in marine paint systems occur because of poor surface preparation rather than product failure. Why Gelcoat Preparation Matters Before applying Awlgrip systems the gelcoat surface must be: Free of wax and contamination Properly sanded to ...
Preparing Previously Painted Surfaces for Awlgrip Many boat refinishing projects involve applying new coatings over previously painted surfaces. Proper inspection, cleaning, and sanding of existing paint systems is critical to ensure long-term adhesion and professional finish quality. The condition of the existing coating determines whether it can be recoated directly or if removal and full surface preparation are required. Evaluate the Existing Paint System Before beginning...
Mirka Marine Surface Finishing Systems From heavy sanding to high-gloss finishing — complete systems for fiberglass, gelcoat, and marine coatings. About Mirka Mirka Ltd is a global leader in abrasives technology, delivering complete sanding and polishing systems designed to improve surface quality, efficiency, and profitability. ISO 9001 – Quality Assurance ISO 14001 – Environmental Management OHSAS 18001 – Occupational Safety Perfect Surfac...
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