At Elite Fibreglass, quality isn’t just a goal — it’s the standard. With over 30 years of combined experience in the marine and fibreglass industries, Dale and Chris have built a reputation for delivering exceptional finishes that customers trust. “We want to be known for completing good jobs to a high standard of finish,” says Chris. “We don’t want to be the cheapest or the quickest. We want to be known for the best, the best finished jobs.”
From Dusty Work to a Cleaner, More Efficient Workflow
Fibreglass work has always come with its challenges: dust, fumes, and tedious manual processes. Both Dale and Chris stepped away from the industry for a time, seeking relief from the messy, uncomfortable conditions of traditional sanding and polishing. “We sort of got out of it for how dusty it was and it was not nice. It was itchy work,” Dale recalls.
Returning to the trade, they embraced modern sanding and polishing systems. “Since we’ve been using the Mirka products, it’s much more enjoyable,” Chris explains. “It’s not dust everywhere. We don’t have to wear a mask 24/7. We’re not covered in dust all the time.” What used to be an itchy, labour-intensive job has become far more enjoyable and precise, enabling them to focus on the quality of the finish.
Sanding Made Smarter
Elite Fibreglass now uses a full range of sanding solutions, from coarse stripping discs to ultra-fine grits. “We use the RS 600 Sander with the 40 grit HD disc, and that just changed it for us,” Chris says. Even hard-to-reach corners, once a tedious hand-sanding task, are now handled easily with the Deos Delta Sander’s pointed nose: “Before, we were doing a lot of hand sanding on all the corners… but now the delta gets into all the corners.”
A key element of their process is the Dry Guide Coat, which highlights any imperfections at each stage. “We spread it over the boat with the applicator, then use the Deros Sander, and as we go up through the grades, it shows us where the scratches are from the previous grades of sandpaper,” Dale explains. This ensures no scratches are missed and every finish is flawless.
Polishing Perfection with the Polaros Polisher
Polishing used to involve multiple steps: rotary buffing, then random orbital finishing. Today, Elite Fibreglass uses the Polaros Polisher, which allows them to achieve deep scratch removal and a mirror-like finish in a single pass. “With the Lambswool Pad and the Polarshine, it just gives us the finish that the random orbital would give us,” Chris says.
For the highest-quality boats, they use a waffle pad with a fine compound. “The finish on that’s mind-blowing, especially when we’re working on good-quality boats and products… customers have a keen eye for the finish,” Dale adds. The Polaros Polisher has effectively reduced steps, improved efficiency, and delivered consistently superior results across all their polishing work.
Efficiency and Cost Savings
By relying on machine sanding and modern dust extraction, the team has reduced the number of sanding pads used and cut down on labour-intensive hand sanding. “The pads that we go through with the dust extraction really cut down on the amount of sanding pads that we use. So cost has come down, the dust has gone down, and the finish has gone up,” Chris explains.
A Business Built on Reputation
Word of mouth remains at the heart of Elite Fibreglass’ growth. “A lot of our business is word of mouth. We want to be known for the best finished jobs, and that’s how you get a good name for yourself,” Chris says. By consistently delivering professional results, they’ve built a solid reputation in the marine industry. Modern sanding and polishing systems, including the Polaros Polisher, have enabled them to maintain these high standards efficiently, ensuring every job reflects their commitment to quality.
For tradespeople and businesses looking to elevate their fibreglass work, Elite Fibreglass’ journey is a clear example: embrace the right technology, and the results — and the reputation — will follow.
