Gel Coat Restorer, Finish

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yogi

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Within the past year, either just after the southampton or London boat show PBO had an arcticle on the above.I believe it started with the author commenting on the shine of some new boats near the entrance area. He went on to state that a British boatbuilder was even using this product on new boats just out of the mold.
I am the owner of a dark blue much faded boat on which I would like to try this substance but cannot find the arcticle or the name. Does anyone have this information.
Thanks
John
 
Rick
This definately sounds like it. Thanks very much for the super quick reply. I've been going over past issues of PBO for the last two weeks, should have just asked.
John
 
Yup, likewise - very interested in the outcome. My hull is looking good so far but I want to keep it that way! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

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Rick
 
I am not disallusioned however their web site gives before and after pictures of dark boats. I'm almost sure the before is not the way they come out of the molds in England. So I think you are wrong.
Has anyone here tried it?
I am currently using Poliglow and can say the shine is fantastic, however the staying power misses the end of the season by four to six weeks, too much sun not enough rain.
I am always on the look out for something better.
There is one boat in the local marina that has a painted awlgrip clear over the gelcoat although awlgrip says not to do this it has lasted quite a while the only problem being sharper corners on the boat. It is A white boat while mine is dark blue so the missing corners cannot be seen on white but will be messy on dark colours.
John
 
[ QUOTE ]
has a painted awlgrip clear over the gelcoat although awlgrip says not to do this

[/ QUOTE ]

... are you sure? My boat has an awl-grip painted hull (painted from the factory), and is painted over the gel-coated hull.

Certainly, there are fairly extensive adhesion tests to perform if awl-grip is to be used (if you are to retain any come-back on the paint manufacturer, that is), plus a whole coating schedule to deal with, but results can be fantastic - "as new..."

When my boat was being re-painted recently, the proper process was used. The resultant finish had some roughness that was clearly not as it should be. However, as the painter had religiously followed the process, Awlgrip paid for the necessary rub-down and repainting... I bet they would not have done, had the proper process not been followed.

Awlgrip subsequently said that it was a 'batch' problem, where the pigment had not been ground down finely enough, due to faulty equipment. Anyway - they sprang for it...
 
The A glaze info (interesting claims, nice to know if borne out...) talks of preparation and finish. The preparation is a compounding stuff, which is probably similar to Farecla, which markets a number of different cutting grades; or T-cut, the good old favourite, tho it is a bit coarse. The finish is the special to AGlaze part, with the bonding 5/7 microns etc. As I said, will be interesting to see how peeps get on with it.
 
The November 2006 PBO had an article on Newglass2 for restoring tired topsides.
There was an article in Sailing Today a few months ago about Poliglow with the promise of an end season report on how it stood up.
 
As Northshore says - A Glaze is similar to a sealant. Nothing really really special - I have many types of sealants available, and waxes, and polishes - I also now have a Targa 52 that is A Glazed. She is 3 weeks old.

I have waxed the blue hull sides just last weekend - and I shall be sealing again, and waxing again before the winter starts proper.

- as others have said there are a myriad of polishes, waxes, sealants - pays yer money and takes yer choice ! - BUT it's the prep that makes everything else easy - too many peeps rush the prep !

Adrian
www.cleanandshiny.co.uk
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have waxed the blue hull sides just last weekend - and I shall be sealing again, and waxing again before the winter starts proper.

[/ QUOTE ]

So that has piqued my curiosity. What value do you see in using a sealant over wax? AIUI the sealant is just another protective layer thats supposed to bind better to the gelcoat and so wear away more slowly. So I can see that using wax over a sealer would help - but then to seal again?

How is the new tub though? I will send you a pm about a pub meet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers,
Rick
 
Comments so far with respect to A-Glaze are generally correct. Fairline have their boats treated with A-Glaze for the London Boat Show. It is primarily a sealant which creates a protective layer over the GRP to protect from UV, Acid rain, bird lime and exhaust fumes etc.

Most A-Glaze applicators will tackle boats with a compound prior to applciation of the A-Glaze surface preparation and the final stage of the process which is application of the glaze.

Certainly with newer boats the process will result in a very impressive finish and has been known to reduce the effects of oxidisation on coloured GRP on older boats.

Will
 
Regarding Painting with awlgrip perhaps I wasn't specific enough. Certainly you can paint a hull with the proper methods used what I should have said is it was clear coated over gelcoat without undercoating with epoxy.
According to A glaze website at least the pictures in it it looks like it renews the topsides
I've used wax good for three or fourweeks as I stated Poliglow doesn't last the season thats with at least six coats.If A Glaze does it would be worth the effort. Notice I said effort as all methads take effort.
John
 
Will33
You actually said it all I preume a sealer means that it seals the hull from the affects of the sun and oxygen which would stop oxidation of the gellcoat which would keep it looking new.
 
Spot on. Whilst A-Glaze does this very well, like all products it has its competitors. A-Glaze products come with a one year manufacturers gurantee and various tests prove it stands the test time.

In case it is not clear so far, I have a vested interest here as suppliers/applicators of A-Glaze in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Will
 
I found that Poliglow lasted pretty well from August 2005 to September 2006, needing a refresh last September. It does degrade and doesn't like being under fenders that pick up lock side crud, but on the whole it has done pretty well. Its primary upside is that it is quick to do, wash off and prep the hull is about half a day and applying the Poliglow is a couple of hours. You must get everything clean because it does seal in dirt.
 
Basically if your paintwork has faded a glaze wont restore the finish it will only seal it in ,you need to compound with a buffer i tend to use 3m finesse-it its a very mild compound and gives a great finish .You can then seal the paintwork with a glaze or a wax .I can save you guys alot of money on expensive resprays using a very unique product used by Rolls Royce give me a shout i get all over the uk restoring super cars and yachts.
 
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