Mega-Super-Clean!

[Richard]

Greetings,Well, the new-to-us boat is coming into view! She is a 1972 C&C 35. Preliminary survey comment was, "Needs a lot of bleach, Soft-Scrub, and elbow grease!" My question: How do you clean a truly filthy boat? I'd love to get some feedback regarding products, procedures, task order, tips, hints, etc. We are planning on renting a Stanley Steemer to clean the interior cushions (some of which are non-removeable). Also, does anyone have experience with a product called Poli-Glow? It advertises as a one-step gel coat refinisher. I truly appreciate your feedback.Richard

 

[pethia]

I have used poliglow and was very happy with

the results. The key to success with the product is the thorough cleaning using their cleaning agent. Any dirt or scuffs that show prior to the application of the poliglow just gets trapped under the sealer. The product applies easily and goes on with a chamoi type applicator. My boat needed about 4-5 coats to shine. I only did the topside. It is a bit pricey but much easier than a paint or awlgrip job.

 

[Bil Thomas]

Island girl

We have been using Island girl products now for several years. It is a multi-step process that removes the chalk from the pores of the gel coat, conditions, and then waxes. This made our 13 year hunter 335 shine like new. We had many peole ask if the boat was only a few years old because of shine.It is pricey but after a whole season on the Chesapeake bay it still repelled water and looked fresh.When we bought our new boat we have continued to use it. It is holding up in the harsh Caribbean sun very well.The kit also has cleaners for plastic windows that work very well.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Never again

I've used Poli-Glow extensively in the past and it'll definitely shine your 'glass, however, heaven help you if you don't stay up with it and the coating breaches (from UV) down to the gelcoat. And yes, I did everything by the book.You can't just recoat it because the failed areas are are no longer smooth, a different shade and it looks like crap. Additionally, Pethia's comment about trapping any discolorations are true. If your gelcoat has any spots that you don't (or can't) get up, you're stuck with it once the coating goes on.We tried everything to strip it including their prep (diluted as per their instructions and even undiluted) and straight ammonia as well.No dice.After two years of tropical UV and tons of elbow grease I finally got the last of it out of all the nooks and crannys.I was getting ready to begin pricing paint options for our 20 year old deck but on advice from a friend I wetsanded with 1200, compounded and put on a couple coats of Collonite 885 paste wax (top rated by Practical Sailor.) Even in the Florida sun it still beads and shines like new 6 months later.I'm not saying that surface plastic coat products don't work, they do. However, in MY experience it didn't last the 12-18 months they claimed it would in the tropical UV and when it fails you've really got a problem.