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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Shining Up the Hull and Deck

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lwirth
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/05/2007 : 12:01:59

What products do you recommend for use with a cordless buffer to clean and put a little shine on the white hull and deck before launching this spring? Thanks, Larry

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 12:39:27

I don't buff old gelcoat, it is counterintuitive to me. Why do you want to buff? Many of us use other methods, this 82 had not been touched in 20 years. This is a non buff finish.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/05/2007 12:42:44

lwirth
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 12:58:06

Thanks Frank, I don't really need to buff, but my brother recommended it since he always buffs his powerboat. My 22-year-old Catalina 25 actually looks pretty good to me just the way she is now, after getting a power wash when she came out of the water at the end of October. Do you recommend doing anything at all before she goes back in the water in April? Larry

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 14:52:57

Frank's dangling the bait... You hafta beg him to tell you what he used that requires no buffing (and lasts several seasons). Hint: I used it too.

Edited by - on

Paul
1st Mate

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57 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 16:53:01

Okay, boys; now you've got two fish on the line. What's your secret?

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 16:53:58

Three.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 17:41:54

You don't have to beg me. My 1986 C22 looked like that too. Just 30 minutes of work each spring and fall. PoliGlo.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 18:37:11

Poliglow or VertGlass, either will do the job. My friends who use PloyGlow say that my VertGlass applicator is nicer and easier to work with.

http://www.lovettmarine.com/files/vertglas.asp

First time ever I use SoftScrub with bleach to remove oxidation after that I just use the VertGlass products.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 22:33:12

Actually, I used Poli Glow, but they are indeed just about the same products--polymer finishes instead of wax. Wipe on, wipe on, wipe on, wipe on, done. ( <2 hours total for the whole hull.) Then add one coat every one or two seasons to dress it up. After 8-10 years, scrub it all off and start over (to prevent yellowing).

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/05/2007 22:37:32

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 08:35:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lwirth
 My 22-year-old Catalina 25 actually looks pretty good to me just the way she is now...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mine does too. That's why I just throw on a simple coat of 3M marine wax. Easy on, easy off.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 09:25:10

I don't have before or after pics, but I used the Polyglow system and it really did a great job on my 30 year old haul. Unless you get one foot from the haul, it looks brand spanky new. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 10:39:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 ...I just throw on a simple coat of 3M marine wax. Easy on, easy off.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I used to do that too... gone in 2-3 months. Before you can finish your "easy-on/off" routine, I can do a Poli Glow job that lasts 2-3 years. But I probably wouldn't use it on an under-10-year-old hull.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 10:59:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I used to do that too... gone in 2-3 months. Before you can finish your "easy-on/off" routine, I can do a Poli Glow job that lasts 2-3 years.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You're right...What was I thinking to suggest any other option other than Poliglow/Vertglass.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 11:54:28

Don, maybe you are like the owner of a Benneteau Ocean 28 at our club. He polishes and buffs his boat in the club parking lot wearing nothing but running shorts and sweat and doing that Shooter McGee thing when you say hi to him. He just wouldn't look the same with a poliglow mop in his hand.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 12:26:56

I also use Poliglow. many coats are initislly applied but they are very ease to accomplish since no buffing required. just have to watch out for drips becaue they dry on. The reapplication is even easier sine only a couple of coats are needed.

My experience is that sometimes those watching what you are doing wind up coming over wanting to know what you applied since it comes out so good with such ease of application.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 13:30:29

Hull treatment is like brightwork, every one has their prefered method and all of them are good.

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lwirth
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 13:36:54

Frank's hull certainly looks brand new to me, so I will go with his recommendation for the hull. What's Frank's secret for the deck, assuming he has one for that too - I'm assuming that it is different than for the hull due to possible slipperiness, but could be wrong. Thanks, Larry

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 13:51:51

Larry, I want a dull clean deck to cut down on reflection. I have always used SoftScrub with bleach and a brush on my decks and am very happy with the results. If you have a colored deck you may want to try SoftScrub Orange.

Edited by - on

lwirth
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 14:27:41

Thanks Frank, Larry I'll order the Vertglas system today and be ready for spring - which I am more than ready for now.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 15:20:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle

..... But I probably wouldn't use it on an under-10-year-old hull.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why not, Dave? I'm excited about making my '99 shinier.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 16:05:29

You probably have enough gelcoat left that marine wax would be a good protection. These older boats have lost so much to oxidation we are afraid to use any abrasives on them with any regularity. That's what we are thinking. Could be wrong.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 16:56:35

So, does that mean that wax really is better but Vertglas is a suitable sub if you can't wax? I was thinking that avoiding abrasion at any point in the life of the gelcoat would be most desirable????? What about the newer auto waxes designed for clearcoat?

Edited by - on

cdreamonly
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 19:46:21

In the Good Old Boat January 2007 issue there is an article "Restoring Luster to Your Deck" which talks about using Penetrol to restore the fading & chalking of the deck. According to the article Penetrol is an additive to help the adhesion & penetration of oil/alkyld paints and when used alone on fiberglass, it will restore its original color and cure to a tough shiny surface. Application seems easy, clean the deck and apply in thin coats with a foam roller. I purchased a quart of the stuff at Home Depot for $8 and plan on trying it out on the gas locker cover on my '83....I figure for $8 it is worth trying....

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 19:50:32

Go to the web site for Poliglo and they describe what it is. I assume Vertglas is simlar. It is for older gelcoat, not newer gelcoat. It has to do with the "pitted" surface of older gelcoat. They do not recommend the product for newer gelcoat. I used it on a chalky 1986 gelcoat and it shined just like Frank's. These products really are amazing. It is also true that you need to apply a new coat or two at least once a year but that is no big deal. Two coats on my C22 took 15 minutes. New gelcoat just needs wax which is not abrasive.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 20:57:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
..... But I probably wouldn't use it on an under-10-year-old hull.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Why not, Dave? I'm excited about making my '99 shinier.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
What they said... I see Poli Glow as something that'll make a 10-20-year-old hull look like 3-5 years, with a surface that'll last for a while. As good as Frank's looks, I suspect you'd see the difference between it and a new, waxed hull. To make a 3-5-year hull look brand new, I'd wax it. I've heard good things about (but haven't tried) Colonite. I haven't been impressed with 3M's staying power.

I can also attest that while P/G-ing mine, I've had several people wander over to find out what I was doing--amazed by the ease and the result. I was even able to do one area where there wasn't room to fit a buffer between the two boats, much less a person to hold it.

cdreamonly: I'd be interested in your assessment of Penetrol, but since it's a petroleum product, I'd test it someplace where slipperiness won't be a problem before using it where it will be.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/06/2007 21:05:46

ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 13:51:04

Two questions:
Heard that either Poliglass or Vertglass if very hard to get off after a few years so one of them is much preferred. Does anyone have an appointment.

My boat picks up a mustache over the season. How would I get that off without taking the the product off? How do you clean this stuff through the year?

I'll be trying one of these this year. If you still like wax, my son used Sailbite liquid wax with Teflon listed on the bottle in big letters. It went on like a breeze and looked GREAT!

GO COLTS!

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