Gelcoat Rejuvinators

I

Idocdes

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Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2004
RO Number
13261
Messages
43
Last year I had my transom treated with Xkote(link below). It came out great, really restored the luster. While it is not cheap, I would probably treat from the rub rail up this year. Problem is I had an issue with the company/individual that applied the treatment, and would prefer not to call them again. The dilemma is that Xkote is territorial and as such it is unavailable through anyone else locally.

I did some online investigating and found Presto(link below). Was wondering if anyone has tried this and, if so, did it do the job. Always leery of "as seen on TV" products.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

http://xkote.com/about.htm

http://www.prestoprotech.com/
 
I use an easy to get 3M cleaner wax. They also make a 3M restorer wax.
I use a 7 inch round sponge on a slow speed sander to apply and then
I use a round terry cloth on the same sander to remove.
Then I use a microfiber pad after that.
It comes out very shiny.
 
Not sure about the cost. I bought it last year. It holds up good and
I do the topsides once per year and the hull every 2 years.
It probably runs around $15/bottle.
 
Sorry, not the 3M cleaner wax. That I know well. I was asking about the Xkote.
 
Has anyone tried Poli Glow? I think I'm going to give it a shot before giving up and repainting. I've always considered fiberglass restoration products to be snake oil; but that's probably not fair since I've never actually tried one. Powerboat reports compared Vertglass, Poli Glow, and one other that I can't rememeber - and gave Poli GLow the highest marks, was still shining after three years.
 
I hate to even ask this but..........has anyone tried baby oil on there fiberglass? I have heard that it really makes it shine and helps "recondition" the fiberglass?
 
Most rejuvinators are some form of acrylic polymer, they do work. You MUST follow all the directions and get all the oxidation off prior to applying the coating. These products usually last several seasons if maintained properly and if you apply a few yearly maint. coats. If I were you , I would definately try Vertglass or Poly Glow before I painted the boat. You will be impressed. These products actually work better on faded gelcoats than they do on boats with some shine left.

Many people don't like them because you eventually have to remove the coating. I used Vertglass on my old boat ('82 SeaRay)for seven years and it held up great. After the spring maint. coats, I didn't have to do anything except wash the boat and the shine lasted all season. Wax never lasted longer than a few weeks. I kept that boat in a wet slip so periodic waxing wasn't an option.

Coatings take a bit of work to get the boat clean but last quite a while. They require some work when its time to strip the coating. Wax takes alot of work to apply and doesn't last all that long, but doesn't need any special effort to remove.
 
I tried Poli Glow on my 25 year-old Silverton last summer. While it did bring back some shine, I was unhappy with how it turned the white fiberglass pale yellow.
I decided to remove it because I don't want a yellow boat.

If you guys find a better product, I'm all ears!
Has anyone used "Island Girl" products? They seem to have a wide range of cleaning and refinishing items.
 
Alk, used Poli-glow on an old Sea ray once. Looked good until it started to peel off by the end of the summer. Never again.
 
I've never used Poly Glow but I have used Vertglass. I have not had a yellowing issue with Vertglass in seven seasons. Also, I have not had a peeling issue in only one season. Sounds like not enough time went into the prep. Prep is key to getting good results. I'm not trying to be critical Greg, just my observation from a lot of season using Vertglass. I had a bit if peeling once where a fender rubbed back and forth alot while at the dock. I simply stripped that area with acetone and reapplied. From two feet away there was absolutly no visable difference once touched up. I like the stuff but to each his own. As I said above, I'd try it before I painted it. If the OP doesn't like it, he can always strip it and paint the boat.
 
I just ordered a poli glow 'kit', figured I'd give it a try. Boat REALLY looks like it needs a paint job, I was all set to give the roll and tip method with a two part paint a try; but I'm running out of time, and there is a long list of other more urgent tasks that I need to finish up by the end of May. I'll see what happens, and maybe update with some before/after/after a few month pictures. If it starts to peel, I'll get it off pretty quick with a sander next year on my way to a new paint job.
 
Prepped it really well, but the Poli Glow couldn't hold up to my relentless scheduled of at least weekly washing.
 
I know Vertglass requires that acidic boat washes be used, ie their boat soap. High pH detergents and spray on black streak cleaners and things like Spray Nine and other spray and wipe products can produce temporary yellowing. A quick rinse with vinegar reverses the condition if done quickly after the spray and wipe product. Again, I don't know much about Poly Glow, only ever used Vertglass.
 
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