Hull finsih/Gel Coat

Oh yeah, another option is to leave it how it has been for the last 30 years and quit worrying.

twilliams.907 wrote: Oh yeah, another option is to leave it how it has been for the last 30 years and quit worrying.

I like this option the best. Of course, it's easier said than done.

If I'd taken all the money I unnecessarily spent on my boats over the last few years and used that to upgrade to a new boat, I'd have a boat that didn't need any upgrades.

Congrats on the new boat.

This thread might be helpful. In particular the response by Jeremy Leonard of Surf City Catamarans.

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33021

He has a video too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sEyot5A_o

Edited by DaveW70 on Mar 16, 2011 - 06:20 PM.

Travis, this is what I use and cannot recommend it enough http://www.poliglow-int.com/ . The kit comes with Poliprep which will remove oxidization but if it is as heavy as you say, use 800-1000 grit waterpaper and a orbital sander to remove oxidization, this will be the one and only time you will have to do this, then use poliprep. Apply Poliglow which is a clearcoat, 4-6 coats, and you will be amazed at the finish. AND.....you only have to do this once every 2-3 years and this one kit will do your cat 3 times. Tar and bug juice wipe off with soap and water, mud line is a thing of the past

Dunno why anyone would still be using wax to detail their boat...... :boohoo:

😆

PS, you want the Poliglow Boat Polish Kit http://www.poliglow-int.com/poliglow.phtml , free S&H untill 3/31/2011

turbohobo wrote: Dunno why anyone would still be using wax to detail their boat...

Poliglow applications must adhere strictly to manufacturer's instructions to look good initially. Over time it can chip or peal. It can turn yellow which is particularly noticeable on white hulls. Polyglow recommends recoating every six months. It is also a major PITA to remove. Don't know of any boat yards that recommend it around here. YMMV

I would never use poliglow just because of their horrible website.

Here's all you really need to know about compounding, waxing, and polishing gel-coat:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/52772-tips-compound-polish-wax.html

Every product you purchase has a disclaimer in tiny letters about the use/misuse of the product, if applied correctly the product will live up to expectations, no different with Poliglow. I have used it with satisfactory results especially with sailing the muddy lakes of the midwest. Just finished applying Poliglow to my P18 and my hulls are.......WHITE

It"s not the website that sells products, it's the product, if you are making a decision based on the apperance of the website then you are a product of our advertisement-driven media, may we as sailors never become part of the establishment.

My opinion was based on my experience with Poliglow, I used to wax and polish and spent many hrs on many week-ends buffing my hulls only to have a mud-line appear after every sail that was almost impossible to remove due to being absorbed by the wax. I am too busy to waste that sort of time or that kind of effort so I tried Poliglow and followed the manufacturer's instructions and the results were impressive. The resulting high gloss shine on my hulls was awesome and the mud-line just wiped off with a damp cloth. Due to the fact that I have to trailer min 1.5 hrs to the nearest lake an added bonus I found was that bug juice and tar spots also wiped off with damp cloth, so now I spend less time detailing my cat and more time sailing.

If you spend the time in prep, (which is a one-time effort), wet-sand the hulls to remove oxidization, use Poliprep, a mild acid wash to remove all residues, apply Poliglow, all per manufacturer's instructions, the resulting finish is great. And you only have to apply Poliglow once every sailing season, you do not need to prep ever again, only re-apply Poliglow. And IF you do want to remove Poliglow, Poliprep will do the job for you when diluted to a higher concentrate. So it was a win/win situation for me and that is why I highly recommend Poliglow, it is not a wax, it is a High Gloss Clearcoat that protects your hulls.

I am pretty anal about how my cat looks........ :hail:

Every product you purchase has a disclaimer in tiny letters about the use/misuse of the product, if applied correctly the product will live up to expectations, no different with Poliglow. I have used it with satisfactory results especially with sailing the muddy lakes of the midwest. Just finished applying Poliglow to my P18 and my hulls are.......WHITE

It"s not the website that sells products, it's the product, if you are making a decision based on the apperance of the website then you are a product of our advertisement-driven media, may we as sailors never become part of the establishment.

My opinion was based on my experience with Poliglow, I used to wax and polish and spent many hrs on many week-ends buffing my hulls only to have a mud-line appear after every sail that was almost impossible to remove due to being absorbed by the wax. I am too busy to waste that sort of time or that kind of effort so I tried Poliglow and followed the manufacturer's instructions and the results were impressive. The resulting high gloss shine on my hulls was awesome and the mud-line just wiped off with a damp cloth. Due to the fact that I have to trailer min 1.5 hrs to the nearest lake an added bonus I found was that bug juice and tar spots also wiped off with damp cloth, so now I spend less time detailing my cat and more time sailing.

If you spend the time in prep, (which is a one-time effort), wet-sand the hulls to remove oxidization, use Poliprep, a mild acid wash to remove all residues, apply Poliglow, all per manufacturer's instructions, the resulting finish is great. And you only have to apply Poliglow once every sailing season, you do not need to prep ever again, only re-apply Poliglow. And IF you do want to remove Poliglow, Poliprep will do the job for you when diluted to a higher concentrate. So it was a win/win situation for me and that is why I highly recommend Poliglow, it is not a wax, it is a High Gloss Clearcoat that protects your hulls.

I am pretty anal about how my cat looks........ :hail:

Hmmm! not too sure why that posted twice, my apologies.

YMMV?

Edited by turbohobo on Mar 18, 2011 - 10:39 AM.

Been reading this post with interest as I have redone a few hulls in my day. Here's a no fuss cheap way getting a hull that will shine like wet glass. Get a bucket of warm water and add a few drops of Dawn liquid dish soap. Use this to wet sand the hulls with 2000 grit paper. This will take care of oxidation, dirt, that nasty black pollution residue etc. Rinse and dry, then HAND BUFF with MEGUIARS ULTIMATE COMPOUND. I don't know what's in this stuff but it works wonders. Also, it seems to work better by hand than using a power buffer. Now the naked finish needs protection and MOTHERS CALIFORNIA GOLD carnuba cleaner wax hand buffed will give you a mirror finish. Did this with my 5.7 a couple years ago and people comment on how "new" it looks. If there's any gel coat left at all this will bring it right back, also works on your vinyl stripes!

turbohobo wrote: PS, you want the Poliglow Boat Polish Kit http://www.poliglow-int.com/poliglow.phtml , free S&H untill 3/31/2011

After years of getting mocked at regattas for a dingy boat or even a bathtub ring from lake sailing I used a Poliglow kit on my H18 at the beginning of last season and it was awesome, looked like fresh new shiny hulls and stayed that way. I plan to put another couple of coats on soon, still have half the original bottle.