Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

[Macfarms]

Having just ordered a new boat I have run across a couple of references to spray on sunscreen damaging gel coats. Is this accurate or just a rumor? Help please!
Thanks, Mac

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

I don't think it's going to hurt gel coat but it will play havoc on your boat seats

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

It has not damaged my gelcoat but it can be a little more work on my detail guy, it is however a PITA to get off of the glass, therefore the standing rule on my boat is no spray sunscreen, offenders will be pitched overboard...

I guess the key here may be to make sure you get a good solid wax and then maintain it through the season, the way I do it is I have mine buffed and waxed the beginning of the season and then I give her a decent wax once a month, next year she goes back to the same detail guy and the process repeats itself, don't know if its right but that's how I do it and I have no issues with anything on my gelcoat.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

Lots of sunscreen on my boat. Red and black gelcoat, which are the worst for fading and showing problems. No issues with the sunscreen. If I use a little more I might protect the hull and seats from ever fading.

 

[Macfarms]

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

Thanks guys. Had us worried to be spending that kind of jack to screw it up unknowingly.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

I had the sunscreen spray (overspray) stick to some plexiglass that was around the instrument panel. It eventually came off about 1 year later. It seems like the spray stuff can cause problems with some of the plastics and vinyls on a boat. It is best to be careful with it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Sunscreen and Gelcoat?

This is also an example of different types of boaters and the boats they prefer. My boats are for hard recreational use (including transportation) in hard conditions (dirt, mud, salt air, fishing/hunting) so I wouldn't even worry about sunscreen. My boats don't look shiney new but anyone can do almost anything in them without getting yelled at. The time and money that others spend on cosmetic maintenance and care, I spend using the boat.

There's no right or wrong; the car analogy fits. How you use, protect and treat a "car" changes from the garage-kept sunny day only Corvette, the keep it nice town car, the child-tested minivan/stawag parked under the trees, and the farm truck.