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If you’ve read any of my posts over the last few years, you’ll know that I’m not interested in shiny new boats. I like a shiny new boat, but I refuse to pay for it. So, I’ve been cruising around in my 21 year old bass boat for over a decade now and have no regrets. It’s paid for and works great. I couldn’t be happier.
Even if I use my boat as a work vehicle, I still need some dignity. Last year, my boat finally got so dirty that I had to consider buying a new (to me) bass boat. It’s notable for all the wrong reasons. After throwing so many bass over the side and wading in all the creeks, it’s starting to show its age, and frankly, I’m a little embarrassed. The previous owner sprayed it with a clear coat of automotive polish, like glitter tires, and it started to peel, fade, and yellow. Frankly, it looks terrible.
I started asking around among my fishing friends and instead of giving me advice on a new boat, they urged me to try Pro-Tec products. There was a lot of hype on forums and Facebook about this company and their various products, so I decided to give it a try before spending a ton of money on a new boat. If successful, I could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars.
Other than removing all the hardware, the process was not difficult at all. Within a few days, my boat looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. I am not a techie and I am very impatient, so trust me, this process is not difficult at all. Now, a year after we restored the boat, almost every time I stop at the gas station, someone offers to buy it. I have one of the nicest (and cheapest) bass boats in town.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process – no frills, no fuss. That’s exactly what we did to breathe life into my old bass boat and increase its resale value. You’ll see before and after photos of my boat.
It is important for you to know that I have no affiliation with Pro-Tec. It is simply a very good product that works very well. I admire any company that makes a quality product.
When I was a young, poor, lonely fisherman, I kept this boat outside my shabby rented townhouse for a few years. You can see the damage the sun has done to it. I didn’t care at the time. It’s a working machine and a means of making money.
Both the left and right sides of my boat look terrible. The poor clear coat was peeling off, the color underneath was yellowing, and the entire boat looked like it had been badly sunburned.
I really wanted to keep the fairing looking nice, but it kept fading as I spent more time on the water. The water stains were getting worse and worse, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get them out.
Honestly, this is the worst part. At this point, you need to start taking the outside of the boat apart piece by piece.
The cleats, the cot, the windshield, the engine… it all had to go, man. I know, it’s a real pain. But it’s important to start from scratch. Be sure to save and label every screw or bolt you remove. Put them in small zip-lock bags so you know where they are when you put it all back together.
This is a “quick fix” that many boat owners use today. Instead of repairing the gelcoat, they spray automotive clearcoat all over the hull, like polishing tires. There is one major problem, though: automotive clearcoat is hard, and fiberglass (your boat) will flex with use. Over time, this can lead to the unsightly separation you can see in these photos. It looks like a flaky sunburn.
Wet sanding is a very important part of the process. It removes any clear coats and contaminants from the fiberglass. On my boat we start with 800 grit sandpaper. Then we move from 1000 grit to 1500 grit to 2000 grit.
The most important part of wet sanding is to keep the sandpaper wet. When the water runs clear, you know the oxidation has stopped and it’s time to move on to a coarser sandpaper.
During this process, we found that adding a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap to the bucket made a big difference. It prevented the plastic from the gel coat from building up on the sandpaper, thereby extending its life.
Once the 2000 grit sandpaper no longer provides traction and a smooth glide across the surface, it’s time to wash the boat with Pro-Tec Wash and Gloss. You don’t have to apply too much pressure. Just be sure to remove all wet sanding residue from the surface.
After cleaning the surface, we hand-applied Pro-Tec Nu Paint Moisturizer. This special product is designed to make painted surfaces look like new again, restoring the shine of old and oxidized gelcoat surfaces.
We then removed the Nu Paint moisturizer using a high-speed polisher and a wool pad. At this point, the polisher runs at 2200 to 2600 RPM.
At this stage it is important to keep the buffer moving and the wool pad moist. Always do this.
Now it’s time to wash the boat again. Thoroughly remove any dirt with a cleaner and polish, then hand-apply Pro-Tec Sealer Polish. This is a polymer sealer that bonds to the gelcoat. It’s designed to provide a long-lasting shine and protect the boat from UV rays, dust, and other contaminants it may encounter.
As with waxing a tractor, allow the sealant to dry and then remove it by hand with a microfiber cloth.
People always compliment my newly restored boat, but they wonder how long it will last. If you take care of your boat and keep it in good condition, it will look great for as long as you own it. But it needs to be taken care of.
I use Pro-Tec Showroom Conditioner every time I get on the water. I live just seconds from our boat ramp, so when I drain the tank to keep water off the garage floor, I spend about 45 seconds wiping the boat down with Showroom Conditioner. Not only does it keep the shine on, it removes dirt and grime from the hull and provides extra UV protection. If you are like me and love fishing in murky water, this product is a must have. It works better than any other wipe I have used so far.
This is a boat that has never been cared for. I have driven the boat through backwaters, run over wrecks on rivers, and guided tourists on fishing trips. This is my work machine. Not just for show.
Compare this photo with the one at the beginning of the article. The difference is colossal. I really can’t say anything more.
About once or twice a month, I spend a few minutes in the shop wiping down the hood with Pro-Tec Water Spot Remover. It is 100% biodegradable and meets FDA safety standards. It removes hard water stains caused by calcium and other minerals in the water.
I don’t know what’s in it, but it removes all the dirt and hard water stains that have built up on your hood over the years.
My boat looks great and that makes me happy. Again, I’ve never been too concerned about the appearance of my fishing gear, but when it looks brand new, I feel good. If it weren’t for the Pro-Tec system, I’d spend tens of thousands of dollars on a brand new boat.
I’m so glad I stuck with it and took the time to do this. If you have an old beat up bass boat sitting in your driveway or yard, take a weekend or two to fix it up. You won’t regret it.
Walker Smith is an experienced tournament angler and former fishing guide whose articles have been published in numerous national and regional publications for over a decade. His articles and videos have been viewed by millions of people. He is passionate about teaching others how to fish and understanding the human element in the process. When he is not fishing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, watching the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs, and hunting.
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Post time: Mar-14-2025