I have read many posts comparing the two products. I am planning on buying one of the two to do my 27 footer. Some have implied that poliglow will turn yellow after a few years, anyone found this to be true? Others have reported that Island girl is difficult to use. I am somewhat confused....thanks
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Poly Glow doesn't yellow
I used Poly Glow on my 1981 H33 for about 3 years with no yellowing. This boat was in fresh water on Lake Ontario, where we do not get as many sun days as further south. There is a UV prohibiter in the solution which the manufacturer says blocks UV damage. It is suggested that this product be applied to older boats that have started to oxidize. If the boat is new, than go with wax or I.G.
I used Poly Glow on my 1981 H33 for about 3 years with no yellowing. This boat was in fresh water on Lake Ontario, where we do not get as many sun days as further south. There is a UV prohibiter in the solution which the manufacturer says blocks UV damage. It is suggested that this product be applied to older boats that have started to oxidize. If the boat is new, than go with wax or I.G.
Here's A Photo Of New Glass
which is similar to Polyglow and sold on this site. This is my Dad's 1985 Lancer 29 Powersailor which is a tan. It went years with little external maintenance and the tan had faded to a chalk. I used new glass for years on the non-skid of another boat that had lousy gell coat because I wanted to seal it. It worked well and did not seem to make it slick. I used wax on the rest of it. Used a coat per year. Anyhow, I agree with Ken that I'd tend to use it on this type of troubled boat exterior and not something in better shape, for which my first pick would be Island Girl. See the difference in the photo between the deck and the hull. The deck really looks better than the photo shows; this is after a week of dirt on it. Rick D.
which is similar to Polyglow and sold on this site. This is my Dad's 1985 Lancer 29 Powersailor which is a tan. It went years with little external maintenance and the tan had faded to a chalk. I used new glass for years on the non-skid of another boat that had lousy gell coat because I wanted to seal it. It worked well and did not seem to make it slick. I used wax on the rest of it. Used a coat per year. Anyhow, I agree with Ken that I'd tend to use it on this type of troubled boat exterior and not something in better shape, for which my first pick would be Island Girl. See the difference in the photo between the deck and the hull. The deck really looks better than the photo shows; this is after a week of dirt on it. Rick D.
Island Girl....Maybe.....
It sounds as many of Island Girl products get mixed reviews - with the exception of their non-skid product. I do like their Pink cleaning fluid - it does work wonders. I really don't care for any of their other products, and I would never use their non-skid product at all. One of the last users of that product was at work on his non-skid with a brush and soft scrub at the marina this weekend. It actually does increase the non skid properties, your feet stick to it. Unfortunately, so does dirt, pollution, mold, etc. And once it's there, it stays. Only way to get rid of it is to scrub away the Island Girl. All the dirt, etc. becomes imbedded in the product. Be very careful using it. Use it only on as much non-skid surface as you wish to work hard to scrub away after a couple of months....
It sounds as many of Island Girl products get mixed reviews - with the exception of their non-skid product. I do like their Pink cleaning fluid - it does work wonders. I really don't care for any of their other products, and I would never use their non-skid product at all. One of the last users of that product was at work on his non-skid with a brush and soft scrub at the marina this weekend. It actually does increase the non skid properties, your feet stick to it. Unfortunately, so does dirt, pollution, mold, etc. And once it's there, it stays. Only way to get rid of it is to scrub away the Island Girl. All the dirt, etc. becomes imbedded in the product. Be very careful using it. Use it only on as much non-skid surface as you wish to work hard to scrub away after a couple of months....
PoliGlow
All of the post describing problems have been regarding Island Girl - that I have seen. I have not come accross anyone having problems with PoliGlow. I applied PoliGlow to my boat 4 years ago. I haven't touched it, no polish, no wax, nothing. The PoliGlow has held up great. I will re-coat it this year, but couldn't have asked for more. Four years is outstanding. Regards, Ted
All of the post describing problems have been regarding Island Girl - that I have seen. I have not come accross anyone having problems with PoliGlow. I applied PoliGlow to my boat 4 years ago. I haven't touched it, no polish, no wax, nothing. The PoliGlow has held up great. I will re-coat it this year, but couldn't have asked for more. Four years is outstanding. Regards, Ted
Can you put poly glow on non-skid?
The issues with Island Girl seems to center on the non-skid sealant. The IG non-skid, if not allowed to cure properly can stay sticky, thus attracting dirt. IG has a new non-skid that shortens the curing time. I can't speak for others but I have used IG non-skid and had both bad and good results. The first time I didn't follow the instructions, with the result it didnt cure correctly. Since then I have used the IG non-skid with no problems. There are two steps that make all the difference in the world. 1. As soon as the non-skid gets tacky spray it down with water. (in the instructions). 2. Apply non-skid in the morning so it has all day to cure. Make sure the temp is 70 degrees or above and sunny. (not in the instructions) When the non-skid cures it is rock hard. I like the I.G.products. The Pink is the best in the world for cleaning gelcoat. It removes all stains I have applied it too with the exception of bad rust stains. Ted
The issues with Island Girl seems to center on the non-skid sealant. The IG non-skid, if not allowed to cure properly can stay sticky, thus attracting dirt. IG has a new non-skid that shortens the curing time. I can't speak for others but I have used IG non-skid and had both bad and good results. The first time I didn't follow the instructions, with the result it didnt cure correctly. Since then I have used the IG non-skid with no problems. There are two steps that make all the difference in the world. 1. As soon as the non-skid gets tacky spray it down with water. (in the instructions). 2. Apply non-skid in the morning so it has all day to cure. Make sure the temp is 70 degrees or above and sunny. (not in the instructions) When the non-skid cures it is rock hard. I like the I.G.products. The Pink is the best in the world for cleaning gelcoat. It removes all stains I have applied it too with the exception of bad rust stains. Ted
Island girl application
I believe I followed the instructions but have had poor results so far with Island Girl finishes (Pink is a great cleaner). The main issue I have is in managing the amount applied. The instructions keep saying things like just enough to cover the surface but not make it look greasy... I spent about a week huddled over my cockpit lovingly applying this stuff with endless paper towel adjusting my angle to the sun so as to gauge greasiness. The net result is it looked pretty good for a while but now there are black streaks etc. I must be doing something wrong. There must be an easier way. The non-skid sealant was brutal. Tying to dab the stuff down in there with a paper towel? It is like trying to grease a large baking pan with a tiny bit of butter. The whole process would be alot easier if the material was not so concentrated. If there was more liquid you could just spread it around. The liquid would evaporate leaving the resin (whatever). Any suggestions/thoughts? Chaning to Poly Glow is an option but I'd prefer to at least use the IG product I bought. Jeff
I believe I followed the instructions but have had poor results so far with Island Girl finishes (Pink is a great cleaner). The main issue I have is in managing the amount applied. The instructions keep saying things like just enough to cover the surface but not make it look greasy... I spent about a week huddled over my cockpit lovingly applying this stuff with endless paper towel adjusting my angle to the sun so as to gauge greasiness. The net result is it looked pretty good for a while but now there are black streaks etc. I must be doing something wrong. There must be an easier way. The non-skid sealant was brutal. Tying to dab the stuff down in there with a paper towel? It is like trying to grease a large baking pan with a tiny bit of butter. The whole process would be alot easier if the material was not so concentrated. If there was more liquid you could just spread it around. The liquid would evaporate leaving the resin (whatever). Any suggestions/thoughts? Chaning to Poly Glow is an option but I'd prefer to at least use the IG product I bought. Jeff
Jeff, I hear ya.
When I apply regular wax (good quality) you just rub it in, let it dry a bit, and then buff it off. Its relatively simple - looks good and lasts the whole season. I don't think you should have to go through such wild manipulations. Now if you have a fiberglass hull thats turning to "dust" then maybe the extra "chemicals" and nutty application things you have to do with Island Girl are justified but IMHO isn't not warranted for the average boat.
When I apply regular wax (good quality) you just rub it in, let it dry a bit, and then buff it off. Its relatively simple - looks good and lasts the whole season. I don't think you should have to go through such wild manipulations. Now if you have a fiberglass hull thats turning to "dust" then maybe the extra "chemicals" and nutty application things you have to do with Island Girl are justified but IMHO isn't not warranted for the average boat.
Jeff, Here is how I apply IG non-skid..
Your right the paper towels are a mess... I dont use them. I apply the Pink using the 3M synthetic steel wool. I clean about a 2 foot square at a time then I hose it off and move to the next section down the deck till the whole boat is done. For the non-skid I use a flat sponge (3x5). I only put enough non-skid on the sponge to keep in damp. I ring it out if it loads up to much. I pull the sponge in on direction down the deck like a squeegee. Once the non-skid begins to dry (tacky) I spray it down with a water hose. This washes off any non-skid that puddled up to thick. And as I said before I do this only on a sunny day above 70 degrees. Just did mine again last week. Looks great. Ted
Your right the paper towels are a mess... I dont use them. I apply the Pink using the 3M synthetic steel wool. I clean about a 2 foot square at a time then I hose it off and move to the next section down the deck till the whole boat is done. For the non-skid I use a flat sponge (3x5). I only put enough non-skid on the sponge to keep in damp. I ring it out if it loads up to much. I pull the sponge in on direction down the deck like a squeegee. Once the non-skid begins to dry (tacky) I spray it down with a water hose. This washes off any non-skid that puddled up to thick. And as I said before I do this only on a sunny day above 70 degrees. Just did mine again last week. Looks great. Ted
Island Girl Better
I am switching back to Island Girl after trying Poliglow -- The Poliglow prep did not remove thje oxidation -- the coating was drying as I was applying it & so it was sloppy -- the Island Girl was much better & I am switching back
I am switching back to Island Girl after trying Poliglow -- The Poliglow prep did not remove thje oxidation -- the coating was drying as I was applying it & so it was sloppy -- the Island Girl was much better & I am switching back
tried the sponge trick
Yellow sponge bled color. You can just imagine my face when this became apparent! (white boat) I don't blame the IG stuff. Cheap sponge. be warned. I'll try this again with a better sponge. Any hints for the rest of the hull/deck? Jeff
Yellow sponge bled color. You can just imagine my face when this became apparent! (white boat) I don't blame the IG stuff. Cheap sponge. be warned. I'll try this again with a better sponge. Any hints for the rest of the hull/deck? Jeff
I applied Poli-Glow....
I applied Poli-Glow this spring. That stuff is great! My boat is a '78 Hunter 27. The fiberglass looks like new. Everyone in my marina has commented on how it looks and many are going to use it themselves. It was easy to use and the finish it terrific. Practical Sailor did a study of many of these products and other than Microsheen, which has to be professionally applied, Poli-Glow was hands down the best. Good luck.
I applied Poli-Glow this spring. That stuff is great! My boat is a '78 Hunter 27. The fiberglass looks like new. Everyone in my marina has commented on how it looks and many are going to use it themselves. It was easy to use and the finish it terrific. Practical Sailor did a study of many of these products and other than Microsheen, which has to be professionally applied, Poli-Glow was hands down the best. Good luck.
Jeff, I have only put IG on the hull once.
But I just moved to a floating dock last week so I plan to do the hull again. I did use paper towels on the hull as it was not oxidized like the deck was. The only thing I did different was after applying the Mirror Glaze I took several sheets off paper towels and buffed the hull in vertical stokes. This removed the swirl pattern left over from applying the MG, and more importantly removed excess MG where I may have gobbed it on. Ted
But I just moved to a floating dock last week so I plan to do the hull again. I did use paper towels on the hull as it was not oxidized like the deck was. The only thing I did different was after applying the Mirror Glaze I took several sheets off paper towels and buffed the hull in vertical stokes. This removed the swirl pattern left over from applying the MG, and more importantly removed excess MG where I may have gobbed it on. Ted
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