Can you put Premium Boat Shine on top of Sure Step top coat? Can you use a regular buffer with it?

Skipper January 4, 2021 Ask The Skipper

Category: Please let me know the category for this blog.

S. Parks asked:

Can you put premium boat shine on top of sure step top coat? Can you use a regular buffer with it? (Buffing sure step with your power drill wheel does not bring out a shine.)

Answer:

For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.

No.

Applying Premium Boat Shine over Sure Step will not increase the shine and will make the decks slippery.

If you can’t get a nice shine using Sure Step, the problem is the condition of your gelcoat. It’s either oxidized, in which case you need to go over it again with Boat Scrub until the shine is restored, or it’s damaged from using a highly alkaline deck cleaner in the past, in which case you won’t be able to restore the shine as the damage is permanent. The only remedy is to refinish the gelcoat.

Before you do anything radical, do a small test with Boat Scrub. You can test a smooth part of the deck using a Marine Power Mitt if you have one, or even a soft cotton cloth with the Boat Scrub. If this restores the shine then you can do the entire deck, if not, then you have permanent damage.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar