2+1 years
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All Mirka power tools have a standard two-year warranty. Get an additional 1 year of warranty free of charge by registering your tool within 30 days of purchase.
Boat Maintenance
How to Clean a Boat and Restore a Marine Gelcoat Surface
Get ready for the boating season with Mirka’s Polarshine® Marine Cleaning products. The Polarshine Marine Cleaning range offers a complete package for washing, cleaning, finishing and preserving a boat’s gelcoat surface. Combined with other Mirka Polarshine products it is a great solution for keeping your boat looking its best from season to season.
Restore shine on an older gelcoat surface
Protect Your Boat Easily With Polarshine® Marine
Mirka's Polarshine Marine product range is designed for effortless and effective cleaning of surface stains in boats.
This is how you can refurbish your boat using the Mirka method
Cleaning Your Boat
Pre-wash
- Start with Polarshine® Marine Deep Clean.
- Dilute the oxalic acid-based detergent depending on the soiling 1:3 - 1:10. Apply with a spray bottle.
- Using a scrub brush gives extra power to the detergent.
- Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, if you are inside, (if you are outside, the temperature and weather conditions may affect the time). Rinse with water.
- Be sure to flush the trailer as well.
Wash
- Use Polarshine® Marine Boat Wash
- Dilute the product 1:30 - 1:100 depending on the soiling. Apply with a spray bottle.
- Using a scrub brush gives extra power to the detergent.
- The detergent neutralizes the surface. Leave on for 1 to 5 minutes and rinse off.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
Recommendation: Sand the surface if it is in poor condition. If the surface is only faded, polishing alone will be enough.
Sanding
Sanding is optional if the surface is in poor condition.
- Sand with a Mirka® DEROS and Abralon® 2000 grit and water. Recommended rpm: 6000 - 8000 rpm. Abralon® sands as long as it leaves “foam” behind.
- Wipe in between before changing to 4000 grit. This will increase the life of the disc.
- Wipe with a microfiber cloth before polishing.
Polishing
Polish on a dry surface.
- Use a Mirka® PS 1437 and a lambswool pad Pro.
- Apply the Polarshine® 10 polish to the surface with the polishing pad. Recommended rpm: 900 – 1100 rpm.
- For light coloured surfaces: Polarshine® 10 and a yellow lambswool pad Pro.
For dark surfaces: In addition, Polarshine® 5 and a yellow waffle polishing foam pad for hologram removal.
Cleaning
- After polishing, wipe off any polishing residue with Polarshine® Marine Final Finish.
- Wet the surface and apply Polarshine® Marine Shield to the sponge and the area to be coated. NOTE! The surface must be moist.
Coating
- Let it work for a moment. You will notice when the coating starts to retract.
- Rinse off excess coating. Always use a pressure washer.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Let the coating cure for at least 12 hours (dry, at +5°C to +25°C).
- The coating protects the surface for one boating season.
Process steps
Contact Us
Do you want to know more about our marine surface finishing solutions? Please get in touch and our expert support team will answer your questions.
I recommend Mirka’s Polarshine marine products to anyone who really wants to take care of their boat. The result is amazing, 42-year-old Emma looks new again. I was surprised by the ease of work.
Kristoffer Pietikäinen, Boat owner, Finland
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Savings calculator for yacht surface finishing process
Use the calculator to understand what savings can be achieved with the right process and tools
Your savings
Want to know more?
If you want to know more about Mirka's process and how we have calculated savings, please fill in the form below. We will deliver an extensive white paper on marine surface finishing savings, free of charge.
The white paper answers these questions:
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How surface finishing is currently done?
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What is Mirka's surface finishing process?
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How much time and money can be saved using Mirka's process?
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A better choice for you and the environment
Water-Based Polishes
All polishes that Mirka produces are water-based and produced in Finland. There are many benefits of choosing a water-based polishing compound.
- Effective permanent removal of scratches - Water-based compounds remove scratches permanently. Solvent-based compounds can lose gloss after cleaning the surface with a degreaser and in some cases, they may only temporarily hide the scratches.
- Safer for the operator - No hazardous chemicals
- Sustainable - Water-based polishes are better for the environment and do not contain benzene.
Save your health, time, and money
Sanding Without Dust
Do you get covered in dust when sanding? Try the benefits of Mirka's pioneering sanding solutions and see how a dust-free working environment can boost your business.
Benefits from dust-free sanding
Healthier working environment - Stop dust from getting into your lungs
Time-saving – No cleaning after sanding and clean abrasives cut better
Money-saving – No clogging lets you sand longer with the same abrasive
High-quality finish - Thanks to a finer scratch pattern
Redefining innovation in surface finishing
Introducing the Next Generation of Mirka® Power Tools
The award-winning Mirka® Power Tools have entered a new era. The lineup is now even stronger with advanced technology, improved performance, and user-focused design. Meet the stars of the new generation.
Mirka® DEROS II – The enhanced orbital sander series now features 8 upgraded models, delivering more power and even smoother sanding.
Mirka® DEOS II – Our refined low-profile orbital sanders, offering superior precision and control with 4 updated models.
Mirka® DEROS RS – The all-new heavy-duty rotary sander, engineered for maximum power and precision in tough applications.
Mirka® DEXOS – A state-of-the-art M-Class dust extractor, ensuring optimal performance and dust-free work environments.