About Our Products
What happens when ‘cut and polish’ products are used?
‘Cutting’ compounds and many conventional polishes are abrasive; they may not leave scratches which are visible to the naked eye, but they are abrasive nonetheless and in order to remove dirt and stains which have penetrated the gelcoat they remove a very thin outer layer complete with the dirt and stains contained therein.
Gelcoat is often only a few tens of microns thick and tends to vary depending on the quality and type of manufacture; it can even be a different thickness from one part of the boat to another. Similarly, lightweight high performance boats will generally have a thinner - so lighter - gelcoat than dedicated cruising or fishing craft.
Abrasive cleaners and polishes can, if used regularly, wear away gelcoat until there is very little left, usually in patches where it has been rubbed the hardest. It’s a bit like using an abrasive cutting compound on a car every time it’s washed.
A shadow or slight underlying change of colour in white or light coloured gelcoat, or a lighter shadow in dark gelcoat may look like dirt but you could actually be looking through the thin final remains of once shiny gelcoat at the underlying lay-up of the fibreglass itself. These shadowy patches can occur even in quite new boats - around companionways, the edges of steps, corners, non-slip surfaces, cockpit coamings - don't assume it's dirt and reach for the scouring pad and cutting compound, it could be one rub too many!
This damage to gelcoat is only partially hidden by applying a layer of polish. It looks fine at first but those shadowy patches will eventually start re-appearing, these may not be pronounced at first however with each successive rubbing with cutting compounds the affected areas become more obvious and tiny 'pin prick' holes will appear as the last remnants of the expensive gelcoat are slowly worn away. At this advanced stage there is no realistic option, if the appearance and value of the boat are to be restored, but to have it painted, an expensive option if done professionally with a two pack paint system.
Frequently, unfortunately, the temptation is to rub even harder at those apparently dirty shadows thereby causing even greater damage.
There are of course times when it is necessary to use cutting compounds - indeed we at Ensearch even make one ourselves - for example if gelcoat has been scuffed by a minor impact or to level a repair, but cleaning is hardly ever one of those times.
End abrasive cleaning damage
Conventional 'cut and polish' methods of cleaning boats are akin to giving a car an annual rub down with fine sandpaper. The gelcoat outer skin of thousands of fibreglass (‘GRP’) boats is unknowingly damaged, year after year, by the use of ‘cutting’ compounds and abrasive polishes. Painted boats are also at risk.
Dirt and stains in Gelcoat
Gelcoat forms the outer skin of fibreglass boats, it gives the fibreglass its attractive smooth, shiny finish. This finish is very slightly porous which means that dirt does not simply sit on the surface but is actually drawn into the first few microns of the gelcoat, that is why some stains appear more difficult to remove particularly those along the waterline, rust marks from fittings, or grey patches from airborne pollution running off spars or covers.
Boats of all types and sizes, sail or power, used at sea or on inland waters, are faced with attack from UV light which can quickly cause discolouration and dulling of the finish, to brown staining along the waterline, rust and exhaust marks, sea or river and air borne pollution, let alone every day scuff marks and scratches left by other boats, fenders or pontoons.
Why use Ensearch?
Ensearch provides an alternative. Products that deep clean, shine and protect fibreglass boats and yachts without using abrasives; the result of years of development work and ongoing practical testing.
Ensearch non abrasive products work in a completely different way to 'cut and polish' boat cleaners and, being non-abrasive, the boat’s gelcoat outer skin is not damaged. Instead, these powerful yet biodegradable formulations dissolve and remove dirt and stains not just on the surface but deep cleaning without harming the gelcoat itself. Ensearch products require minimal effort and even really old badly maintained boats can have a new lease of life - provided it’s not too late!.
Ensearch non-abrasive products are chemically engineered to clean and care for boats of all types, cleaning, protecting and providing a deep seated shine to keep vessels, large or small, looking their best and preserving their value.
