Cleaning an old boat

[PeteV]

Greetings,
I bought a used fiberglass boat thats pretty old.
Do you have any suggestions for how to clean it up.

Its still got the original gelcoat so I'd hate to scratch it up and make it look worse with my cleaning (I did that to a canoe once, the scratches look awful).

Books , arcticles? any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[mctrout]

After using Hull cleaner (west marine-wear gloves!) take a buff wheel and paste compound and buff it out and then wax it real well. you will be shocked how well it will turns out!!!
good luck
Brendan

[PeteV]

Thanks Brendan ...
I'm new at this so your reply is very helpful & appreciated.
I went to West Marine & picked up some Teak cleaner.
(the boats gots some teak trim) ...so I was going to use the 2 step cleaning stuff (cleaner/brightener & then teak oil)

The hull also has some little "hair line" cracks, will the compound help make that look better? or is there something I put on before I use the compound.

Based on your note I was going going to try this procedure:

1. Wash everything down.
2. Clean the paint below the water line, Power spray & scrape.
3. Use the West Marine Hull cleaner (with gloves)
4. Then repaint the bottom (below the water line).
5. Use the paste compound on the hull and with a Buff wheel buff it out.
6. then wax it real well

Thanks for your reply.

Pete