Hull Magic - does it work?

[max]

Being of a lazy disposition I read with interest the product review for 'Hull Magic' in this months PBO. Simply 'paint' on a cleaned hull and low and behold a deep and lasting shine. No sweat or elbow grease involved.

I have a badly faded and chalked blue hull which I plan to cut back with rubbing compound and was then going to wax and polish. If Hull Magic really works it sounds like I will be able to cut the hard work by at least half.

Can this really be true? I would love to hear pros and cons from anyone who has used it.

 

[pvb]

Not very well...

Hull Magic and other similar miracle treatments for faded GRP have been on the market for years. They can give a short-term improvement in appearance, but in my experience have ended up looking worse in the medium term - and they're virtually impossible to remove.

I haven't seen the PBO report, but I'd imagine it was the result of a quick test, without long-term evaluation of the results.

Don't think there's any real substitute for a bit of hard work where hull refinishing is concerned. A gentle compounding, followed by a really good quality polish, is the best way. The best polish I've used is Meguiars - try #49 Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover, followed by a couple of applications of #45 Boat/RV Polish, then sealing it with a couple of applications of #56 Boat/RV Pure Wax. The polish and wax are very easy to use indeed.

 

[quaelgeist2]

No experience with hull magic myself.

On a side note, you achieve a nice and lasting look through the GRPro treatment advertised on their own homepage and elsewhere. The charges in the UK appear higher than on the UK (whatelse is new?), but I tried it in Holland and it restored the hull and deck of my then 18yr-old 25ft sailing boat very well and lasted through the season. You can then get cheaper repeat-applications for a much lower price. Approx. cost in Holland: GBP 300 for the 25ft (2001).

So work or pay - that's what it boils down to ;-)

chris

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Re: Not very well...

Hi .All those item mentioned seem fine, would you like to show me how to use them on my boat please ? cheers bob t

Bob T

 

[pvb]

Re: Not very well...

Not likely! But, seriously, the Meguiars stuff is very easy to use - almost a "rub on, wipe off" process. I do my 35ft cruiser easily, by hand, in a couple of days. And it lasts about 2 years between polishes.