Protection product test

[matt1]

I assume it's this video...

Thanks

 

[Trundlebug]

Yep that's the one, well done pvb

 

[pvb]

Yep that's the one, well done pvb

OK, if that's the video you were thinking of, the products being used appear to be from 3M and Gtechniq - http://gtechniq.com/products/marine/

We need to wait for Tony's report for full details of the best combinations of products.

 

[Marine Reflections]

So after what seems like an eternity, we’ve finally come to the end of this little test.

I have to say that all the products tested, did very well indeed.

All the panels / products were able to shed their collected dirt, dust and other contaminates with a simple wash down after a year using just plain water and a soft sponge.
Also, the panels were placed flat so rainwater only had evaporation as a means of escape, the dirt held within that water was forced to simply bake on the surface.

I’ve chosen 3 products that stood out IMHO as being better products, but it was a very difficult thing to monitor and measure, yet alone record.

Please have in mind that there are horses for courses. A book could be written on the variations on when and why to use different products, determined by surface condition, environment, wash down & dry methods, heat and so on.

This to one side, my personal opinion and what I would recommend if asked would be the following:

1^st Gtechniq
Amazing durability, it was the only product that managed to bead very well for the entire year. It has scratch and chemical resistance should you be naughty and occasionally wash down with a non PH neutral wash, or have failed to remove contaminates during a pre-rinse. Surface was left so silky smooth after application.

2^nd 3M Scotchgard Marine liquid wax
This one surprised me as I thought the paste wax from 3M would perform better than the liquid. It didn’t have the same durability as Gtechniq but it lasted much longer than the rest. For the price this is a hard product to beat and had we factored in price to the test, this would have won by a mile.

3^rd A Glaze surface sealant
The easy application of this product, the silky smooth surface it left and the way it washed off at the end, made it into the top three. I was disappointed with the beading after being quoted contact angles as high as 120°. It certainly beaded well at the start and I’m certain I did everything correctly regarding application, all the same with or without beading it worked very well when it came to the wash down.

Thanks for your patience, being a working man I’ve only been able to contribute in spits and spurts and I understand that this thread is all over the place, hopefully our media will put something together properly on another test, but I hope this has at least helped a bit.

Please remember that condition is far more important than product, but if you have spent an age getting the surfaces where they need to be, a product that seals off to oxygen, interacts with water and dirt to make washing easier through rejection, is a must have.

Tony

 

[alahol2]

Very many thanks for all the work you've put into this. You must really love your polishes and your job
After about 30 years of trying I arrived at 3M liquid about 5 years ago. It's heartening to know your work has born out my eventual choice. I can stop looking at all the others and wondering if just maybe....

Thanks again.

 

[Trundlebug]

Well done and many thanks for this Tony, your efforts and attention to detail are much appreciated.
As alahol2 said, we can stop wondering "if" now, which is worth a great deal because the marketing bumf from all of them would have us think they are each the best.
I for one have found it an interesting journey through the last 12 months testing.
It is something I've been trying to assess for the last 20-30 years!

I can also rest easy that I now know there's someone out there with even more bottles & tins of half empty polish than me....

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

This has to worthy of becoming a sticky. Thanks for your good work.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Thanks guys, happy to help.

 

[pks1702]

Tony - A fantasic effort sincere thanks for all the time and effort you have put in.

Very interesting tests.

I have to say your video of your cleaning regime on the Broom 42 was also very enlightening.

Thanks again :encouragement:

 

[Phildorset]

Have just discovered this great piece of work, many thanks for all your hard work, excellent, useful and very interesting.
many thanks.