Restoring fiberglass
Nobody else jumped in, so I'll try. In my experience, maintaining a fiberglass surface is similar to maintaining a painted (car) surface. Regular washing with an automotive or boat type soap (no dish detergents, since they strip wax), combined with periodic waxing contributes to a long, shiny life. First, thoroughly wash the entire surface with fresh water, boat soap, and a soft cotton towel or a deck brush with very soft bristles. Rinse everything down when done, then let it dry. If the fiberglass surface is in good condition, a good fiberglass wax (or even car wax) will replenish the oils baked out by continuous sun exposure, and will protect the surface from salt, bird droppings, and other contaminants. Water will bead up on a waxed surface. If it doesn't, it's time to was again. If the fiberglass is faded or oxidized, you may need additional products or steps. Compounds and cleaners remove oxidation, polishing products add rejuvenating oil to the surface, and finally, wax seals and protects the whole thing. Needless to say, this is a lot of work, leading to the temptation to combine it all into one step, such as using a one-step cleaner-wax product. I've found that for seriously faded surfaces, it's necessary to perform each step with a seperate product. Once the surface is in good shape, the one-step products are often sufficient to maintain a good, clean, smooth surface. I personally use Meguiar's products on both cars and boats. They make a (huge) line of products for each, including compounds, cleaners, polishes, waxes, and yes, one-step cleaner-waxes. Visit their web site for more info (www.meguiars.com, I think). The one downside to Meguiars is that they have so many products, it's sometimes hard to select the right one. Good luck.Randy