A Glaze results

[Nick_H]

A few people have asked about the A glaze treatment I had done recently, so rather than reply individually, i'll post here.

The "treatment" consists of 3 stages, but to be honest that's a bit smoke and mirrors, because the first two are just a conventional wash and polish. Admittedly, they use A glaze's own polish, but I strongly suspect it's no different to any other good quality medium grade polish. It's the polishing phase that determines how good the final results are, and that's as much about the person applying the polish, as the type of polish used.

So, as far as I can tell, the only real difference with A Glaze, is that instead of applying wax afterwards, they treat it with a special polymer.

The finish achieved with A Glaze is no better or worse than a boat which has had a conventional polish and wax, and i'm not sure it's supposed to be, the idea is that it keeps that finish for longer. Of course I wont know that for a few months, although there have been some good reports on here, which is why I decided to have it done.

In the meantime you have to wash it with A Glaze's boat wash, mainly I think to avoid the risk of the boat owner using something harsh that would strip the polymer.

I used Shipshape Services, who were very helpful as I had to move the dates around a bit, and i'd have no hesitation in reccomending them, although anyone who is happy to polish their boat themselves, could also do the A Glaze themselves.

 

[gjgm]

is that on the Khamsin? If so, I assume its you on the hard at Haven?
Well, funny you post this bcz I did think, this boat does look in very good condition ! Is that Aglaze gleam, then /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Nick_H]

Yep, that's us, stuck right in the far corner about a mile and a half from the nearest water and electricity. It's had full engine and drive service (thanks Col), then coppercoat applied twice (as the rain washed the first lot off), then A Glaze, so I think we're good to go.

 

[benjenbav]

Interesting. What, if I may ask, was the cost of A Glaze over and above a conventional polish?

Oh, and being really nosey, what happened about the pinholes after the slurry blast.

And finally, whilst I remember, I wandered past your P57 a couple of weeks ago and thought how nice she looked.

 

[Nick_H]

It was £1k, which I think is about double what you'd pay a yacht cleaning company for a normal polish on a 34 footer, but that did include a full exterior valet with teak treatment, glass clean, and stainless polish. I think there's a fair bit of Boat Added Tax in that price, but I didn't have the time or energy to polish it myself.

As I had to re-apply a fair bit of the coppercoat, I just slapped it on until all the holes were covered. As the coppercoat is epoxy (all be it a water based epoxy), i'm hoping that will be enough to prevent osmosis. Time will tell.

Thanks for the comments on the P57. We have a cruise planned to Corsica and Italy the first 3 weeks in June, although I had an eye problem last year that scuppered half the season, and i've got a horrible feeling i'm having a recurrence, so it's fingers crossed at the moment /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[benjenbav]

Hmm, I think I might try A Glaze then. I always think it's better value to pay someone to polish rather than me do it and then pay someone to polish out the rubbish job I've done.

Hope you're wrong about the eye thing. It's not whatever it's called that kind of makes your eyelids scratch the surface of the eyeball is it? Someone I know had that and reckoned it was oil seed rape pollen that particularly aggravated it. Topical at this time of the year.

 

[jfm]

I had it done on the Sq58 (by EBY's subcontractors) so you can compare against that too. And the official A Glaze shampoo and other products are being used, so it's a proper test. Hope the eye thing works out ok

 

[ralf2]

Thanks Nick,as a matter of interest ive seen the Aglaze pack in our local swindlery for 100 quid.

 

[Hurricane]

I'm a bit of an old hand with A Glaze.
Only ever done it myself - never used a contractor.

Yep - the pre treatment isn't anything spcial.
Personally, I think all the pink stuff you find is just a rebadged Windolene.

Anyway, my experience of A Glaze is that it isnt magic - just helps cleaning for th rest of the season. Our old Sealine used to bellow smoke from her exhausts which made the aft quarters very sooty.
The A Glaze just made it MUCH easier to clean.

I also think that the ploymer coat protects the gelcoat so to this end we applied it to the P67 this season. When I spoke to the A Glaze suppier he said that it woulod be much easier to apply to a new boat - but then - wouldnt he.

As far as costs are concerned - the materials for the P67 cost about £250 ish - I got some local help in Spain to apply it - about 2 days plus some of my time.

We are in Malta at the moment and there has ben some winds bringing sandy rain from the deserts - all the boat needs is a quick squirt with a hose and the sand just comes off. But then it might have done anyway.

Internet connection a bit slow here so I think this will be myonly post today.

 

[Nick_H]

I had a detached retina last year, which required an operation, and I thought I was having the same symptoms, but i'm happy to say after an emergency appointment with the specialist tonight, that it's not a recurrence, but a more minor issue that needs treatment, but wont affect this years boating. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[benjenbav]

Excellent news. But I guess you'll never get a renewal of your boxing licence - Las Vegas aren't that fussy though, I think. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[johnpye]

Anyone interested in doing a comparison with our DIY Glaze product?