Protection product test

Well we're now into August, so surely by any measure it should be time for a reassessment.

Although I vaguely recall some polish manufacturers used to claim "wash once a year" in reality I think we all recognise that's very ambitious, and experience has shown me that about 3-4 months seems to be the life of pretty much everything I've tried.

At least as far as beading is concerned, but even in maintaining some kind of gloss appearance, which I would regard as being a measure of the uv protection.

To begin with, how about washing all the panels just with fresh water, before you go using their recommended wash products on them?

Again, to me this would give an indication of residual protection, if contaminants stick or wash off easily.

I generally polish the boat about 3 times a year. Once at the start of the season around Easter, once on our main holiday usually June / July, and another final one to protect it for the coming winter, say September or early October. So for me any polish has to be able to last 3 months in the (English) sun, and 6 months in the English winter.

Looking forward to the update... I wonder how that nano technology is lasting?
 
Trundlebug said:
Well we're now into August, so surely by any measure it should be time for a reassessment.

Although I vaguely recall some polish manufacturers used to claim "wash once a year" in reality I think we all recognise that's very ambitious, and experience has shown me that about 3-4 months seems to be the life of pretty much everything I've tried.

At least as far as beading is concerned, but even in maintaining some kind of gloss appearance, which I would regard as being a measure of the uv protection.

To begin with, how about washing all the panels just with fresh water, before you go using their recommended wash products on them?

Again, to me this would give an indication of residual protection, if contaminants stick or wash off easily.

I generally polish the boat about 3 times a year. Once at the start of the season around Easter, once on our main holiday usually June / July, and another final one to protect it for the coming winter, say September or early October. So for me any polish has to be able to last 3 months in the (English) sun, and 6 months in the English winter.

Looking forward to the update... I wonder how that nano technology is lasting?
Click to expand...



Pleased you are looking forward to the results :encouragement:



We had this video update below, which shows the level of water beading each product was capable of after being outside for a few months.

In addition to the water beading side of the test, to evaluate the UV degredation we had to get some sunshine.

At the 6 month point we hadn't yet had any decent weather to speak of, so the decision was made to leave the panels to the elements for the full duration of 1 year.
I did ask on the forum for a decision as it's a test for us, but only one person replied :( it wasn't hard counting up the votes.

We don't get much of a summer, but we have had some sunshine to speak of and now the dirt and contaminates have been well and truly baked onto the panels.

At the end of the year we can pull the tape separating each panel.
This should show any changes in surface condition as the tape would have eliminated any UV or oxygen.
We can then compare the difference on each panel to the protected taped sections and see how well each product has sealed off to oxygen and inhibited UV.

Agreed, best to rinse the panels in just water first to see how the products have faired, before using the wash down products from each supplier.

It's not going to be an easy ride for the products on test, in fact it's possibly the hardest one that they've faced, interesting to see if any survive.



At the end of this test I will be correcting each panel to perfection and re-applying the protection products.
The test will run for a further year, this can only back up the results of this year.


Please have a say if this interests you in the slightest.
Do you think they should be washed down once a month next time or left again for a year to confirm this years results, or other?

Or, as we've allready put the panels through sheer hell, should we wash now and evaluate progress?

Tony


 
Thanks Tony.

My view is that the interval for the next test should be determined by the results of this one.

What I'm interested in is what is the genuine product life in real conditions, so I know the absolute longest I can leave it between re-application, so I can plan accordingly.
That's not to say I'll always plan around waxing at the maximum intervals, just that sometimes circumstances (life) can get in the way and you think "I'll leave it for another week / month" whatever.

So if the max life is say 6 months I would probably plan to re-coat every 4-5, knowing that if something got in the way I still have a bit of time in hand.


So if none of the products have lasted 12 months in this test, we should shorten the reassessment interval to 6 next time and take it from there.
To be honest I can't really see any of the products lasting a full 12 months, that really is expecting a lot. But it's also probably a bit unrealistic. How many of us caring boat owners would leave it 12 months between waxing? We should reassess at monthly intervals from 6 months onwards IMHO.

Then it's down to an evaluation of ease of application vs price once the product life is known, to be able to decide a "best buy".
 
Personally, if you could show a product that did what it said on the tin and lasted 6 months I would be more than happy.

Have you put this test to any of the sailing mags? It might just go some way to recompense you for carrying out this research for which we are all grateful on this forum.
 
Trundlebug said:
Thanks Tony.

My view is that the interval for the next test should be determined by the results of this one.

What I'm interested in is what is the genuine product life in real conditions, so I know the absolute longest I can leave it between re-application, so I can plan accordingly.
That's not to say I'll always plan around waxing at the maximum intervals, just that sometimes circumstances (life) can get in the way and you think "I'll leave it for another week / month" whatever.

So if the max life is say 6 months I would probably plan to re-coat every 4-5, knowing that if something got in the way I still have a bit of time in hand.


So if none of the products have lasted 12 months in this test, we should shorten the reassessment interval to 6 next time and take it from there.
To be honest I can't really see any of the products lasting a full 12 months, that really is expecting a lot. But it's also probably a bit unrealistic. How many of us caring boat owners would leave it 12 months between waxing? We should reassess at monthly intervals from 6 months onwards IMHO.

Then it's down to an evaluation of ease of application vs price once the product life is known, to be able to decide a "best buy".
Click to expand...

Agree, the interval for the next test should be determined by the results of this one.
It can only back up the findings. I've no problem with running this for a second or third year if the results are proven.
 
wizard said:
Personally, if you could show a product that did what it said on the tin and lasted 6 months I would be more than happy.

Have you put this test to any of the sailing mags? It might just go some way to recompense you for carrying out this research for which we are all grateful on this forum.
Click to expand...

I haven't put it to the mags, it's just for us on the forum.

I'm eager enough just to find out the true results for myself, to share it is even better.

The products were supplied by each manufacturer so I'm not out of pocket and thank you for the support. :encouragement:
 
Hi Tony,

Just a quick "bump" to get your attention!
It's that time of year when I'm preparing my boat for relaunching at the beginning of March.
Which inevitably means polishing and waxing the hull to protect it for the coming season.

I'm therefore very keen to use the knowledge gained from your tests to steer my decision making in that regard.

So sorry to chase, but can we have an update please?

I did notice a video you posted elsewhere on the forum where you were buffing up the topsides of a boat and you used one of the products involved in this test. That spoke volumes to me, even though you were quite discreet in your mention of what you had used. I am seriously considering going down that route, and it looks like you've already arrived at that conclusion and are using it routinely in your business now?
 
Trundlebug said:
Hi Tony,

Just a quick "bump" to get your attention!
It's that time of year when I'm preparing my boat for relaunching at the beginning of March.
Which inevitably means polishing and waxing the hull to protect it for the coming season.

I'm therefore very keen to use the knowledge gained from your tests to steer my decision making in that regard.

So sorry to chase, but can we have an update please?

I did notice a video you posted elsewhere on the forum where you were buffing up the topsides of a boat and you used one of the products involved in this test. That spoke volumes to me, even though you were quite discreet in your mention of what you had used. I am seriously considering going down that route, and it looks like you've already arrived at that conclusion and are using it routinely in your business now?
Click to expand...


Hi Trundlebug,

Apologies I havent displayed our results as yet, I know yourself and a few others are waiting.
Sounds a poor excuse but it's a very busy time for me at present, with many in the same boat as you and my commitments and promises to clients must take priority.

I have started documenting the final results, even as I write (at 01:57) the panels are behind me on my dining table with a dslr on a tripod surrounded by lights, whilst I drip coloured water onto each panel to measure the contact angle offered.
It sounds as though the results wont surprise you (my fault for the leak) and yes I made my decision in Feb, but there are 14 other horses to come in.

It's proving quite the learning experience just to get the camera to capture and display what my eyes are seeing.
Justification for an EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM? swmbo, unfortunately does not agree with this.

Rest assured they will be put up the moment I've finished, possibly over the next few days if this snow kicks in and grounds me.


Tony
 
Thanks for your efforts Tony, I for one will be very interested in your thoughts. An unbiased review conducted by a professional in the area will make interesting reading :encouragement:
 
Marine Reflections said:
Hi Trundlebug,

Apologies I havent displayed our results as yet, I know yourself and a few others are waiting.
Sounds a poor excuse but it's a very busy time for me at present, with many in the same boat as you and my commitments and promises to clients must take priority.

I have started documenting the final results, even as I write (at 01:57) the panels are behind me on my dining table with a dslr on a tripod surrounded by lights, whilst I drip coloured water onto each panel to measure the contact angle offered.
It sounds as though the results wont surprise you (my fault for the leak) and yes I made my decision in Feb, but there are 14 other horses to come in.

It's proving quite the learning experience just to get the camera to capture and display what my eyes are seeing.
Justification for an EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM? swmbo, unfortunately does not agree with this.

Rest assured they will be put up the moment I've finished, possibly over the next few days if this snow kicks in and grounds me.


Tony
Click to expand...

Many thanks Tony,

Your reply contains all the information I need for now, although I await the full results with great interest.
I will ceratainly be wondering just how well or otherwise my half full bottles and tubs on the shelf of the garage fared against the proven best performer.

Better get my order placed before everyone reads about it and they run out of stock...

Thanks for all your work on this.
 
Trundlebug said:
Hi Tony,

Just a quick "bump" to get your attention!
It's that time of year when I'm preparing my boat for relaunching at the beginning of March.
Which inevitably means polishing and waxing the hull to protect it for the coming season.

I'm therefore very keen to use the knowledge gained from your tests to steer my decision making in that regard.

So sorry to chase, but can we have an update please?

I did notice a video you posted elsewhere on the forum where you were buffing up the topsides of a boat and you used one of the products involved in this test. That spoke volumes to me, even though you were quite discreet in your mention of what you had used. I am seriously considering going down that route, and it looks like you've already arrived at that conclusion and are using it routinely in your business now?
Click to expand...

Cant find that video, can you tip us off or remind us as to what products were featured?
 
No I can't find it either, and I can't remember when I saw it.

I think it's best to wait for the full report, because I can't remember exactly which combination of products were used and I wouldn't want to get it wrong.
 
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