Has anyone tried the gel coat finish restorers such as Vert Glass or Island Girl? Having owned a number of boats in various conditions, I have learned to distrust the "easy on, easy off - no buffing" claims from manufacturuers of restorers and waxes. It seems everything on a boat is a lot of work. The question is - how long will it last before I have to (scrub, sand , buff, paint) again. The idea of putting on a sealer once every year or two is appealing but these products cost a few bucks. A neck and shoulder problem has forced me to put the buffer away. Does anyone have experience with these products? I'm particularly interested in topside performance. Are they difficult to apply? Were the results positive? Did they last? Thanks.
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Allen Schweitzer
Vert Glass
Tired Buffer, I used vert glass for the first time last year. My boat was extremely chaulky and neglected when I bought it, so I needed to put a lot of effort in to get it back in shape. The process is pretty straightforward...I only did it on the hull not the topsides, but it really amounted to thoroughly scrubbing the hull (I had to do that twice) and then applying the vertglass product, much in the same way you would varnish. Because my boat was in such bad shape, it took 12 coats before it was finished. Once it was done, I was extremely pleased with the results. The boat didn't look brand new, but it did look about 5 years old. My boat's a 1977 C-30. It's been almost a year since I've applied it & it's held up much better than I expected. They say you'll only have to do a few "touch up coats" every spring, and it seems that they are right. Another bonus is that my older hull is very porous and I tend to get a brown stain above the waterline from marine growth. That all but dissapeared with the vertglass saving me the effort of scrubbing the waterline every few weeks. Overall I'd highly recommend vertglass. I'm glad I did it. Not only does it make my boat look better, but it protects the gel coat & makes her easier to keep clean. I think I paid $85 at a boat show for the "system" and in my book, that's a bargain! Good luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull# 632
Tired Buffer, I used vert glass for the first time last year. My boat was extremely chaulky and neglected when I bought it, so I needed to put a lot of effort in to get it back in shape. The process is pretty straightforward...I only did it on the hull not the topsides, but it really amounted to thoroughly scrubbing the hull (I had to do that twice) and then applying the vertglass product, much in the same way you would varnish. Because my boat was in such bad shape, it took 12 coats before it was finished. Once it was done, I was extremely pleased with the results. The boat didn't look brand new, but it did look about 5 years old. My boat's a 1977 C-30. It's been almost a year since I've applied it & it's held up much better than I expected. They say you'll only have to do a few "touch up coats" every spring, and it seems that they are right. Another bonus is that my older hull is very porous and I tend to get a brown stain above the waterline from marine growth. That all but dissapeared with the vertglass saving me the effort of scrubbing the waterline every few weeks. Overall I'd highly recommend vertglass. I'm glad I did it. Not only does it make my boat look better, but it protects the gel coat & makes her easier to keep clean. I think I paid $85 at a boat show for the "system" and in my book, that's a bargain! Good luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull# 632
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Ken Palmer
A lot of info on this site.
This is an on-going subject. Just search the archives. I use a product called PoliGlow on my 1981 H33 and love it. Easy to use and lasts all season. A link to their web site is below. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
This is an on-going subject. Just search the archives. I use a product called PoliGlow on my 1981 H33 and love it. Easy to use and lasts all season. A link to their web site is below. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Chuck
I used Poliglow
I used poliglow on the upper deck. it look absolutly beutiful. But did not like foot traffic. I highly recommend it for the hull. I have tried island girl, but I didn't have any luck with it.
I used poliglow on the upper deck. it look absolutly beutiful. But did not like foot traffic. I highly recommend it for the hull. I have tried island girl, but I didn't have any luck with it.
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Larry
Liked Vert Glass
My brother recomended Vert Glass to me last year when I bought my 222. I started out with a clean boat though so it wasn't alot of work at all. My brother did recommend using a terry towel to apply instead of the applicator supplied in the kit. Sibling rivalry made me try the applicator first. After about three coats it was streaky as hell. Three more coats with the towel and it was smooth as glass. It lasted all season. One word of caution be careful of any other solutions that you use to wash the hull with. I had tried Island Girl non skid treatment on the non skid at the end of the summer. I also liked the IG nonskid treatment but Do Not use the IG Pink to clean the Vert Glass treated areas. I finally went back and did the Vert Glass precleaner and reapplied to the spot and all is well. In the spring I intend to add another coat or two of Vert Glass to the hull and also retreat the non skid with the Island Girl non skid treatment. Both made the boat sparkle and all I have to do is wash the boat occasionally with the Vert Glass Boatwash and a soft brush.
My brother recomended Vert Glass to me last year when I bought my 222. I started out with a clean boat though so it wasn't alot of work at all. My brother did recommend using a terry towel to apply instead of the applicator supplied in the kit. Sibling rivalry made me try the applicator first. After about three coats it was streaky as hell. Three more coats with the towel and it was smooth as glass. It lasted all season. One word of caution be careful of any other solutions that you use to wash the hull with. I had tried Island Girl non skid treatment on the non skid at the end of the summer. I also liked the IG nonskid treatment but Do Not use the IG Pink to clean the Vert Glass treated areas. I finally went back and did the Vert Glass precleaner and reapplied to the spot and all is well. In the spring I intend to add another coat or two of Vert Glass to the hull and also retreat the non skid with the Island Girl non skid treatment. Both made the boat sparkle and all I have to do is wash the boat occasionally with the Vert Glass Boatwash and a soft brush.
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Jim Willis
Do Not use undiluted Pink on vertglass....
All our cleaners and cleanser conditioners will STRIP a water-based acrylic like vertglass or poliglow. Some detailers have even used it for this! However, I just looked through my instruction stuff and it is not mentioned! You can, however apply Superglaze or Superwax over an acrylic without precleaning, although I have no warranty for this use. These take only one or two coats, not 12, even on most porous gelcoat, provided that you use SIlkenseal as an undercoat. We are just bringing out a catalyst for fast set up in colder weather. So far I like best actually added to the Silkenseal, but longer term tests are underway. By contrast you CAN use IG cleaners and cleanser/conditioners to remove and kill oxidation before applying an acrylic coating. Glad you liked the non-skid. Let me know if you want to try anything else of ours! Best Wishes Jim W PS I now have much better instructions (as flow charts) that should help anyone who bought a while back and got confused by the old instructions that one person said were "inscrutible"!
All our cleaners and cleanser conditioners will STRIP a water-based acrylic like vertglass or poliglow. Some detailers have even used it for this! However, I just looked through my instruction stuff and it is not mentioned! You can, however apply Superglaze or Superwax over an acrylic without precleaning, although I have no warranty for this use. These take only one or two coats, not 12, even on most porous gelcoat, provided that you use SIlkenseal as an undercoat. We are just bringing out a catalyst for fast set up in colder weather. So far I like best actually added to the Silkenseal, but longer term tests are underway. By contrast you CAN use IG cleaners and cleanser/conditioners to remove and kill oxidation before applying an acrylic coating. Glad you liked the non-skid. Let me know if you want to try anything else of ours! Best Wishes Jim W PS I now have much better instructions (as flow charts) that should help anyone who bought a while back and got confused by the old instructions that one person said were "inscrutible"!
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Rick Webb
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Jim Willis
Rick- to be uploaded into "online instructions" .
....over the next few days. (on this site, under gelcoat and plastics forum). However, I do have the MS word versions that I send out with products. I you want them I just need an e-mail address. Just send to islandgirlproducts.co unless you want it shared with everybody. I would be glad to send. It's really something I should have done and thorught of long ago! Thanks Jim W
....over the next few days. (on this site, under gelcoat and plastics forum). However, I do have the MS word versions that I send out with products. I you want them I just need an e-mail address. Just send to islandgirlproducts.co unless you want it shared with everybody. I would be glad to send. It's really something I should have done and thorught of long ago! Thanks Jim W
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Jim willis
IG for NEW boats
Water- based Acrylic fiberglass "restorers" (Newglass, Poliglow, Vertglass) are NOT recommended for NEW boats, either on the smooth or non-skid gelcoat. They rely on the porosity of older gelcoat (that they fill) for their "grip" and I can't see anyone sanding a new boat for increased grip! Also there must be no trace of wax underneath. Otherwise they peel off. This, in addition to their propensity for yellowing are well known limitations. Given these limitations, people have used them sucessfully, if carefully applied, to older boats with a sufficient number (up to 12) coats. IG sealants and cleaners are suitable for NEW or OLD boats and it is not necessary to remove a good waxed hull surface (not non-skid) on a new boat. One-three coats is usually all that is ncessary, particularly with the new catalyst that we are beginning to send out. Why? it is becuase they use completely different (and expensive!) technology. MH Superglaze seals and protectes smooth gelcoat, metal or painted surfaces and the non-skid sealant also adheres to and protects new non-skid. Then, of course, there is vinyl, hypalon, rubber etc etc.- all of which are protected and to which the appropriate products adhere tightly although removable by IG cleaners. There are some testimonials on some new boats on this site at the Chandlery under boat care, I think. Thanks Jim W PS I do have a PDF on this (New boat uses) if anyone wants it (referring to new boats that is) but, again I would need an e-mail address. It was generated on Mac, but all but one person to whom I have sent it say it comes up OK on a PC.
Water- based Acrylic fiberglass "restorers" (Newglass, Poliglow, Vertglass) are NOT recommended for NEW boats, either on the smooth or non-skid gelcoat. They rely on the porosity of older gelcoat (that they fill) for their "grip" and I can't see anyone sanding a new boat for increased grip! Also there must be no trace of wax underneath. Otherwise they peel off. This, in addition to their propensity for yellowing are well known limitations. Given these limitations, people have used them sucessfully, if carefully applied, to older boats with a sufficient number (up to 12) coats. IG sealants and cleaners are suitable for NEW or OLD boats and it is not necessary to remove a good waxed hull surface (not non-skid) on a new boat. One-three coats is usually all that is ncessary, particularly with the new catalyst that we are beginning to send out. Why? it is becuase they use completely different (and expensive!) technology. MH Superglaze seals and protectes smooth gelcoat, metal or painted surfaces and the non-skid sealant also adheres to and protects new non-skid. Then, of course, there is vinyl, hypalon, rubber etc etc.- all of which are protected and to which the appropriate products adhere tightly although removable by IG cleaners. There are some testimonials on some new boats on this site at the Chandlery under boat care, I think. Thanks Jim W PS I do have a PDF on this (New boat uses) if anyone wants it (referring to new boats that is) but, again I would need an e-mail address. It was generated on Mac, but all but one person to whom I have sent it say it comes up OK on a PC.
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