Island Girl Hull Restoration Product Reviews

[Bob4203]

I am getting ready for my haul out next month (Lake Lanier, Georgia) and need to restore my faded gelcoat on my 1988 Catalina. The last time I did this, compounding and waxing/buffing was exhausting and did not last very long. I am considering using the Island Girl products (Elixir) to restore the hull above the waterline, but have not been able to get any reviews. Has anyone used these products and can you comment on the results. Interesting chemistry, time saving and expensive, with the emphasis on "time saving". If anyone has used a liquid gelcoat restoration product that cleans and seals that they have been satisfied with, can you please share.

Thanks
Bob
1988 Catalina 30 Mark II

 

[Jim 5757]

We used their products a few years ago. Found it too much work
and expensive. Check out Main sail's article on gelcoat restoration... it's a job but once you're done maintenance is easy

 

[Elysium_Van_Isl]

I agree,
MaineSail's article is excellent. Still requires lots of effort - but it WORKS! I used his technique with great results on a '76 and an '82 Catalina. There just aren't any corners to be cut if you want that lasting shine. Unless you're super rich. I know there are a couple high-end yacht service companies that do proprietary treatments on hulls that are supposed to keep them looking brand new....but those guys are waaay beyond the Catalina 30 world....
Anyway, here's the link:
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/tips-for-a-great-buff-wax.117266/

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bob,

It has been quite some time since anyone brought up Island Girl products on this forum, and I read it pretty much every day. This might make it an appropriate opportunity to do a search, since it has been discussed many times. That way you can read all about it.

That said, I wonder why you said:

and did not last very long.

That sounds counter intuitive. With the compounding done first, and the hull shiny, it's under the wax. What do you think went wrong?

 

[shemandr]

I bought some of their products upon recommendation of a friend. I was going to use them for the non-stick. After reading the instructions I decided I wasn't confident enough to risk ruining my gelcoat. I never used the products I have the pink cleaner under my desk and the rest of it among my chandlery somewhere. I also posted about it years ago
As far as expensive goes, that ship has sailed...

 

[Bob4203]

Appreciate the responses. The Mainsail article was excellent and I will take a look at the compounds and waxes recommended.

Bob

 

[Joe]

When all those "I love Island Girl" posts were flowing a few years back... I was very suspicious that an Island Girl rep was planting them.... no proof, it just seemed very weird.... then... Mainsail posted his piece and there has been nothing heard since.

 

[Rick D]

I used the pink and the wipe on wax treatment as well as the non-skid product and was satisfied. Not exactly labor-free however. They never delivered on a $100 order however, despite repeated attempts, and I quit using them. Maybe it was just a blip in their service. I have since waxed yearly; not much more labor. I also used New Glass on my dad's very bad jell-coat. It worked fine. I also used it on the non-skid on an 80's boat with the porous jell-coat common to that era. Worked fine. I wouldn't use it unless the jell coat wasn't in good shape though. removing it after a few years can be a PITA. Good luck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I wouldn't use it unless the jell coat wasn't in good shape though.

Would that be because it was jello instead of gelcoat?

 

[Rick D]

Would that be because it was jello instead of gelcoat?

Might be! Gotta love auto-correct.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Rick,

I somehow knew that! Happens so often now I always call of the spelling Nazi police. It's a brand new age. Still doesn't excuse the their, there, they're and weather whether stupidities though.