Gelcoat sanding and polishing for yachts and boats

Man sanding a boat with Mirka DEROS sander.

Factory Gelcoat Production and Maintenance for Boats and Yachts

Salt, water and wind all challenge marine surfaces. To get the perfect luster and shine of a gelcoat surface on a newly manufactured yacht or boat, the crucial component is the exterior layer of the gelcoat. For yachts, the gelcoat surfaces are made to be long-lasting, to be able to resist UV damage and rough conditions at sea, but they must be maintained for a long life. And a maintained gelcoat surface is not only about looks. You will also protect the yacht or boat from salt, filth, mold, and excessive moisture with a well kept gelcoat surface.

It is easy to condition a gelcoat finish with Mirka solutions. Use Mirka® Galaxy or Abralon® for machine sanding the surface, work with Polarshine to remove swirls and polish it, and finish the job by protecting the surface. You can find the perfect match for your polishing needs with this handy compound grade scale. We also offer complete finishing kits to make it even easier.

For a superb shine on yachts and boats

Sanding and Polishing Gelcoat Surfaces

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Questions and Answers: Condition of Factory Gelcoat Coating Is Important for the End-Result

Why do you need a good condition gelcoat surface on a yacht?

Factory gelcoat coating and its condition is important. Composite materials, such as fibre glass with an exterior layer of gelcoat are used in manufacturing of boats and yachts. The gelcoat surfaces are made to be long-lasting, with resistance to UV damage and hydrolysis. And it's not just about how the surface looks when it's maintained. Preventing cracks or refinishing a cracked gelcoat surface will also protect the yacht or boat from salt, filth, mould, and excessive moisture.

What is the difference between gelcoat and clearcoat coatings on yachts and boats?

The difference between gelcoat and topcoat coatings is in the thickness. Gelcoat is harder and provides more efficient protection of the surface from the harsh conditions at sea.

Topcoat also protects the surface, but is sometimes used for more aesthetical reasons. In the boat or yacht production process a gelcoat consists of a coating of resin that is poured into the mould before doing the lay-up.

Clearcoat is a very thin layer of varnish that is applied to the part after it has been demoulded.

Steady grip. Less than 7 lbs. High flexibility.

Mirka® LEROS-S. Reach Closer.

The Mirka® LEROS-S features the well-known benefits of the LEROS, but in a shorter, easier to handle length. This makes LEROS-S perfect for sanding larger areas, such as yachts and boats, faster. The LEROS-S has two dedicated grip points for full control.

Thanks to its lightness, balance and easy maneuverability, the LEROS-S makes it possible to sand large areas faster and easier. The large sanding pad with its 5mm orbit works especially well in leveling filler.

It features a highly flexible sanding head to make sanding easier and more ergonomic. A better working position makes sanding more effortless and improves the end result as well as productivity.

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Nautor's Swan, Finland

High-Quality Finish in Yacht Production

For Finnish yacht builder Nautor, a high-quality finish is about respecting the company’s roots and heritage, and it takes the best kind of power tools and abrasives to accomplish that. Benny Brännbacka from Nautor shares with us what it means to collaborate with Mirka, and how important client satisfaction is when building spectacular yachts with Mirka's solutions.

"Working with Mirka is very good, we are continuously collaborating."

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Why Choose Mirka?

Save time and money – You can cut costs and reduce the time per job

Why Choose Mirka?

Sand and polish safely without strain – Our tools and abrasives are ergonomic, efficient, and easy to use

Why Choose Mirka?

Improve the quality of work – The finish is excellent, with less effort

Abrasives made for dust-free sanding

Dust-Free Pioneers

Mirka, the Dust-Free Pioneers, started the transformation to better sanding over 20-years-ago with Abranet abrasives, still the leading net abrasive on the market.

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A better choice for you and the environment

Water-Based Polishes

Mirka's polishes are all 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, may only temporarily hide scratches.
Safer for the operator - No hazardous chemicals
Sustainable - Water-based polishes are better for the environment and do not contain benzene or similar hazardous chemicals.

Check out our line of polishing products