I have a heavily oxidized green gelcoat. I compound/wax every year it it turns out just "okay", but I'd like to know which Island Girl Products might make the shine last all season, or at least prevent oxidation.
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Poli Glow
Mike: Check out the site below, also have a great teak treatment! I heard that Island Girl was working on a similar type product, but I have not heard of it's availability as of yet.
Mike: Check out the site below, also have a great teak treatment! I heard that Island Girl was working on a similar type product, but I have not heard of it's availability as of yet.
Check the buyer reviews
Go into the chandlery and click the link under the photo to read the owner reviews. You'll find a lot of them, all positive. You have to read the instructions (which some folks don''t do) but those who apply it properly seem to like it a lot. Island Girl has a couple of existing products that do just what you're looking for, and without putting a coating over your gelcoat which can yellow with age.
Go into the chandlery and click the link under the photo to read the owner reviews. You'll find a lot of them, all positive. You have to read the instructions (which some folks don''t do) but those who apply it properly seem to like it a lot. Island Girl has a couple of existing products that do just what you're looking for, and without putting a coating over your gelcoat which can yellow with age.
IG products work great.
use as directed. take the time to read the instructions and I promise you will be happy.
use as directed. take the time to read the instructions and I promise you will be happy.
Island Girl and Fiberglass Gelcoat etc.
If you go to our website: www.IslandGirlproducts.com/abrasivebad.html you will see that traditional compounding and waxing is not only lacking in long term effect but wears through the gelcoat and accelerates aging too! Our cleanser/ conditioners will remove and KILL the underlying oxidation (and mildew and algae). On older porous gelcoat, we then recommend sealing the surface well. An undercoat of little Silkenseal (if the gelcoat is porous) and a coat or two of our SIMPLY BRILLIANT Superwax, will leave an "as new shine" and water beading superior to any conventional wax and NO NEED FOR BUFFING. You will get water beading for over a year, and a finish that will remain shiny for 7 months or more, although you do have to keep the boat washed down and clean. renewing "wet look" on dark stripes etc is a few minutes job - wipe over with some SILKENSEAL! If you boat is brand new (or previously restored by the above products) just wipe over clean surface with one coat of our brand new MIRROR Hard Superglaze. Again no buffing. Because the resins used are tough an flexible (no wax content) you can also use on a variety of surfaces, including LPU, PAINT
If you go to our website: www.IslandGirlproducts.com/abrasivebad.html you will see that traditional compounding and waxing is not only lacking in long term effect but wears through the gelcoat and accelerates aging too! Our cleanser/ conditioners will remove and KILL the underlying oxidation (and mildew and algae). On older porous gelcoat, we then recommend sealing the surface well. An undercoat of little Silkenseal (if the gelcoat is porous) and a coat or two of our SIMPLY BRILLIANT Superwax, will leave an "as new shine" and water beading superior to any conventional wax and NO NEED FOR BUFFING. You will get water beading for over a year, and a finish that will remain shiny for 7 months or more, although you do have to keep the boat washed down and clean. renewing "wet look" on dark stripes etc is a few minutes job - wipe over with some SILKENSEAL! If you boat is brand new (or previously restored by the above products) just wipe over clean surface with one coat of our brand new MIRROR Hard Superglaze. Again no buffing. Because the resins used are tough an flexible (no wax content) you can also use on a variety of surfaces, including LPU, PAINT
oxidation
I have a full kit of ig, products, when I ordered them I am not sure there was such a complete set of instructions as there now is, there were lot of products so I may not have used them as the inventor intended, there was a small problem with shipping which he graceously made good, the poli glow I got did wonders for my boat / it lasted all year I did not believe some of the testimonies, but I could not be more pleased, so I am sure they are both good products. as far as simplicity the poliglow gets my vote and I cant imagine anything working better, , they are both items that can be trusted however, one just required a bit more research to use, , thats it, I get no renumeration , and will never go back to the process I used for so many years of anti oxidation , polish and then wax, good Luck , Mike B
I have a full kit of ig, products, when I ordered them I am not sure there was such a complete set of instructions as there now is, there were lot of products so I may not have used them as the inventor intended, there was a small problem with shipping which he graceously made good, the poli glow I got did wonders for my boat / it lasted all year I did not believe some of the testimonies, but I could not be more pleased, so I am sure they are both good products. as far as simplicity the poliglow gets my vote and I cant imagine anything working better, , they are both items that can be trusted however, one just required a bit more research to use, , thats it, I get no renumeration , and will never go back to the process I used for so many years of anti oxidation , polish and then wax, good Luck , Mike B
Question
If Island Products are so great why don't they sell in boat stores. Sounds like snake oil to me!
If Island Products are so great why don't they sell in boat stores. Sounds like snake oil to me!
One Answer
I'm not convinced of a product's qualities simply because it is or is not sold in retail outlets. There may be good reasons why some terrific products are not sold at the retail level (i.e., to keep sale prices competitive). For instance, I don't believe Garhauer Marine Hardware sells through retail outlets but it seems to have quality products at reasonable prices.
I'm not convinced of a product's qualities simply because it is or is not sold in retail outlets. There may be good reasons why some terrific products are not sold at the retail level (i.e., to keep sale prices competitive). For instance, I don't believe Garhauer Marine Hardware sells through retail outlets but it seems to have quality products at reasonable prices.
Try dealing with major retailers
Nothing against West Marine or Boat US, but _any_ small manufacturer has a hard time selling to _any_ major retailer. Some choose not to. In my experience, what the big guys choose to carry has less to do with quality than it does margins. Again, that's not a shot at anyone in the marine biz, but it's the way those relationships usually work.
Nothing against West Marine or Boat US, but _any_ small manufacturer has a hard time selling to _any_ major retailer. Some choose not to. In my experience, what the big guys choose to carry has less to do with quality than it does margins. Again, that's not a shot at anyone in the marine biz, but it's the way those relationships usually work.
I hate to tell you........
but Island Girl was sold at West Marine. Unfortunately there are a lot of products that are much better quality that some of the crap that they sell at the big retailers. West Marine use to have Garhauer vangs and Island Girl products. Some of the other mail order sites do sell SOME of the Garhauer products. There is a major retailer in the west (Tap Plastics) that does sell the Island Girl products (probably because they understand what it does). These store do NOT have many professional sales people. If you don't believe me just ask them for some help with instruments, hardware etc. etc. They really don't have a clue. So if someone want to know about a product they better find out from one of the sailors BBS's or a place like this. This is why you can't purchase a Porsche from a GM dealer (they don't have a clue either). There are only a couple of factors for a major retailer to carry a product. One is high demand and the other is high margins. If these criteria are not met, the product will soon be history. My point here is that there are a LOT of products on the market that are as good or better than these stores sell. Just shop around and do your homework.
but Island Girl was sold at West Marine. Unfortunately there are a lot of products that are much better quality that some of the crap that they sell at the big retailers. West Marine use to have Garhauer vangs and Island Girl products. Some of the other mail order sites do sell SOME of the Garhauer products. There is a major retailer in the west (Tap Plastics) that does sell the Island Girl products (probably because they understand what it does). These store do NOT have many professional sales people. If you don't believe me just ask them for some help with instruments, hardware etc. etc. They really don't have a clue. So if someone want to know about a product they better find out from one of the sailors BBS's or a place like this. This is why you can't purchase a Porsche from a GM dealer (they don't have a clue either). There are only a couple of factors for a major retailer to carry a product. One is high demand and the other is high margins. If these criteria are not met, the product will soon be history. My point here is that there are a LOT of products on the market that are as good or better than these stores sell. Just shop around and do your homework.
Of Chain Stores, Direct Sales and "Snake Oil"
ABOUT CHAIN STORES This whole thread was started (Mike of Staten Island) because he was not satisfied with the "well known" products sold from a store (presumably). Even the best conventional wax (Collinite) is not commonly available in most chain stores, let alone anything that is more versatile or "special". I used to have my products in most West Marine stores in California and a good number of them in Florida. That was in the "good old days" ('95-'97) when each Manager was allowed to try something that the buyer did not buy centrally. So what happens when your product competes with the "house brand" that is inferior? What happens when you are up against a major (Maguire) that bought into the shelf space etc. and even then their stuff does not sell and they complain about "other products"? What happens the stores go public, take over E
ABOUT CHAIN STORES This whole thread was started (Mike of Staten Island) because he was not satisfied with the "well known" products sold from a store (presumably). Even the best conventional wax (Collinite) is not commonly available in most chain stores, let alone anything that is more versatile or "special". I used to have my products in most West Marine stores in California and a good number of them in Florida. That was in the "good old days" ('95-'97) when each Manager was allowed to try something that the buyer did not buy centrally. So what happens when your product competes with the "house brand" that is inferior? What happens when you are up against a major (Maguire) that bought into the shelf space etc. and even then their stuff does not sell and they complain about "other products"? What happens the stores go public, take over E
IG is unique
In my opinion, Island Girl products do what they're advertised to do. They're not just "wax on wax off" and need to be applied properly in the right sequence. What I really like is that you can get personal assistance from the owner when you need it.
In my opinion, Island Girl products do what they're advertised to do. They're not just "wax on wax off" and need to be applied properly in the right sequence. What I really like is that you can get personal assistance from the owner when you need it.
I wonder...is it possible that....
Island Girl products are not heavily represented because Island Girl is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and the cost of freight on their products may be a bit prohibitive?? I have never used them, but my understanding is that they are good products....but the user is required to follow directions and apply the products per the instructions. Also, is it possible that IG can't produce all that the chains demand for inventory?
Island Girl products are not heavily represented because Island Girl is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and the cost of freight on their products may be a bit prohibitive?? I have never used them, but my understanding is that they are good products....but the user is required to follow directions and apply the products per the instructions. Also, is it possible that IG can't produce all that the chains demand for inventory?
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