Polish & Wax

   In 1942, Owens-Corning developed a strong plastic laminate made with a cloth mesh core impregnated with a polyester resin. They called their new product Fiberglas. Products made from Fiberglas, everything from a bucket to a boat hull are made by first spraying the inside of a mold with resin. This resin, which will become the outer surface of the molded part, is called the gel coat. Next, layers of resin-impregnated glass fiber  mesh are built-up to a desired thickness.

    When the resin hardens, the fabricated part is removed from the mold. The molded part is said to be made of Fiberglas but the smooth, glossy, outer surface is still referred to as gel coat.