i've been searching through the archives on shining up gel coat. Thank you for the info available in this Forum without having to reask the same question to the gang. Anyway, there is more than one reference to Collinite Fleet Wax as a preferred wax. I was leaning toward PoliGlo; a nonwax, acrylic alternative and a product I have used before. From your experience, would the Collinite be a prefered approach toward a shiny and, hopefully, long lasting result, or the PoliGlo? Environmentally, in the heartland, we only have fresh water (really a mud hole, but its our mud hole) and plenty of sun. In advance, thank you for your experienced opinions. Steve G Nauti-Gal
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This should be interesting
The two products mentioned are so different in formulation and purpose that I think comparison is difficult. For myself, I think of the Collinite as a wax for protecting the hull and helping to prevent oxidation. Like most waxes, it won't do much to shine up an already oxidized hull. You need to polish out the hull with some sort of rubbing compound or other polishing product first, depending on the degree of oxidation to be removed. That being said, I've used Collinite Fleetwax paste for 10 years to keep oxidation at bay. I re-apply it twice a year, if I'm not being too lazy. It is probably the longest lasting wax. By far the longest lasting I have used. I have not used Poliglow, but my understanding is that it is an acrylic "covering" to cover up the oxidation. It has a shine element of its own. I cannot comment on its effectiveness since I haven't used it, and I don't know how long it would last, but hopefully longer than a wax. One concern I would have with the Poliglow would be that I'd be worried that it would wear unevenly leaving a blotchy appearance. Wax just tends to disappear over time without obvious visible effects. Bottom line is that I would use the Fleetwax if my hull was shiny or I could make it so by polishing (not waxing). If it was badly oxidized, I might be tempted to give the Poliglow a try.
The two products mentioned are so different in formulation and purpose that I think comparison is difficult. For myself, I think of the Collinite as a wax for protecting the hull and helping to prevent oxidation. Like most waxes, it won't do much to shine up an already oxidized hull. You need to polish out the hull with some sort of rubbing compound or other polishing product first, depending on the degree of oxidation to be removed. That being said, I've used Collinite Fleetwax paste for 10 years to keep oxidation at bay. I re-apply it twice a year, if I'm not being too lazy. It is probably the longest lasting wax. By far the longest lasting I have used. I have not used Poliglow, but my understanding is that it is an acrylic "covering" to cover up the oxidation. It has a shine element of its own. I cannot comment on its effectiveness since I haven't used it, and I don't know how long it would last, but hopefully longer than a wax. One concern I would have with the Poliglow would be that I'd be worried that it would wear unevenly leaving a blotchy appearance. Wax just tends to disappear over time without obvious visible effects. Bottom line is that I would use the Fleetwax if my hull was shiny or I could make it so by polishing (not waxing). If it was badly oxidized, I might be tempted to give the Poliglow a try.
The only thing more volatile
than asking about wax and PoliGlo is asking about teak treatment. Personally, I used PoliGlo on my old boat and loved it. I let my teak go gray. I'd rather sail than buff and clean. There, that should stir things up.
than asking about wax and PoliGlo is asking about teak treatment. Personally, I used PoliGlo on my old boat and loved it. I let my teak go gray. I'd rather sail than buff and clean. There, that should stir things up.
Adding fuel to the fire
Here we go... IMHO Poli-Glo is fantastic. I can't believe how easy and fast it is to use. It lasts a long time and I haven't noticed any uneven wear or blotchiness. When I put it on last spring (took about two hours), all the boaters around me couldn't believe the difference. There they were scrubbing, buffing, waxing endlessly for hours upon hours, days in some cases, and yes, their boats looked great. At the end of the season though, when we were back on the hard, my boat looked almost as good as when it was put in during the spring. The majority of the waxed boats looked rough. A friend who keeps his boat in another marina during the summer came over commented how great the boat still looked, and asked me how many times did I clean the hull over the season. He looked bummed out when I told him I hadn't cleaned it at all. That being said, If I had a brand new boat fresh from the factory, I wouldn't use Poli-Glo, I would use the best wax I could find. I've seen people using Collinite at our marina with good results. But for an old neglected boat like mine was, I don't think you can beat Poli-Glo or one of the similar products. Manny P.S. Sorry if this post sounded like an ad, it wasn't meant to.
Here we go... IMHO Poli-Glo is fantastic. I can't believe how easy and fast it is to use. It lasts a long time and I haven't noticed any uneven wear or blotchiness. When I put it on last spring (took about two hours), all the boaters around me couldn't believe the difference. There they were scrubbing, buffing, waxing endlessly for hours upon hours, days in some cases, and yes, their boats looked great. At the end of the season though, when we were back on the hard, my boat looked almost as good as when it was put in during the spring. The majority of the waxed boats looked rough. A friend who keeps his boat in another marina during the summer came over commented how great the boat still looked, and asked me how many times did I clean the hull over the season. He looked bummed out when I told him I hadn't cleaned it at all. That being said, If I had a brand new boat fresh from the factory, I wouldn't use Poli-Glo, I would use the best wax I could find. I've seen people using Collinite at our marina with good results. But for an old neglected boat like mine was, I don't think you can beat Poli-Glo or one of the similar products. Manny P.S. Sorry if this post sounded like an ad, it wasn't meant to.
I have used both
I have only owned older boats and used to use Collinite Fleet Wax after cleaning with Collinite Fiberglass Cleaner (either for boats or cars). It was work of course, but the finish was worth it. The problem was the wax would only last about two months, then the gloss would fade away. I switched to Poliglow and have never gone back to wax. I had the same experience as Manny, with everybody wanting to know what I used. Many of my boating neighbors have now switched to Poliglow. It will definitely last a year. Ideally, you should wash the hull after hall-out and give it a coat or two. In the spring, repeat and give it another coat or two. It is easy applying Poliglow with the supplied applicator, and I finish the job in less than two hours on my 33 foot boat. If your boat is new, I would go with the wax because you do not have the oxidizing problem.
I have only owned older boats and used to use Collinite Fleet Wax after cleaning with Collinite Fiberglass Cleaner (either for boats or cars). It was work of course, but the finish was worth it. The problem was the wax would only last about two months, then the gloss would fade away. I switched to Poliglow and have never gone back to wax. I had the same experience as Manny, with everybody wanting to know what I used. Many of my boating neighbors have now switched to Poliglow. It will definitely last a year. Ideally, you should wash the hull after hall-out and give it a coat or two. In the spring, repeat and give it another coat or two. It is easy applying Poliglow with the supplied applicator, and I finish the job in less than two hours on my 33 foot boat. If your boat is new, I would go with the wax because you do not have the oxidizing problem.
NewGlass
I second everything Manny said but I use NewGlass instead. It's a very similar product. I'm amazed at how reluctant people are to try this type of product. They will spend hours/days of agonizing work, buffing, compounding, wax on/wax off. I remember the pain in my arms and back only to see the fruits of my labor spoiled with the first oil slick I sailed thru (oil bonds to wax). If applied properly, the poly coating will look as good at the end of the season as it did the day the boat was launched.
I second everything Manny said but I use NewGlass instead. It's a very similar product. I'm amazed at how reluctant people are to try this type of product. They will spend hours/days of agonizing work, buffing, compounding, wax on/wax off. I remember the pain in my arms and back only to see the fruits of my labor spoiled with the first oil slick I sailed thru (oil bonds to wax). If applied properly, the poly coating will look as good at the end of the season as it did the day the boat was launched.
wax vs. acrylic
I think the Poliglow acrylic coat looks great until it begins to wear off, then it looks bad. Then you have to remove it and start over. But for old oxidized gel coat, it saves a lot of elbow grease.
I think the Poliglow acrylic coat looks great until it begins to wear off, then it looks bad. Then you have to remove it and start over. But for old oxidized gel coat, it saves a lot of elbow grease.
What about topside??
Most of the comments seem to be directed to application to the hull. What are everyone's thoughts regarding about the rubrail?? I've used WM wax - not to bad to apply but not fun.... Fairwinds, Bill
Most of the comments seem to be directed to application to the hull. What are everyone's thoughts regarding about the rubrail?? I've used WM wax - not to bad to apply but not fun.... Fairwinds, Bill
EASY
"I think the Poliglow acrylic coat looks great until it begins to wear off, then it looks bad. Then you have to remove it and start over. But for old oxidized gel coat, it saves a lot of elbow grease" This is probably the one big reason people are afraid to use acrylic. I use NewGlass. Every season I strip off the previous years coat and it's as simple as washing the hull with Simple Green. I usually use a combination of MaryKates Hull cleaner and Simple Green mixed, and one of those sponge on a poll thngs. It's that easy. Not to worry if it looks a little streaky, the new coats of NewGlass cover that up, if done right you'll never see any streaks, just a mirror shine. It blows my mind that this product is so easy to use and the results are so fantastic that nobody uses it. I know I sound like a commercial.
"I think the Poliglow acrylic coat looks great until it begins to wear off, then it looks bad. Then you have to remove it and start over. But for old oxidized gel coat, it saves a lot of elbow grease" This is probably the one big reason people are afraid to use acrylic. I use NewGlass. Every season I strip off the previous years coat and it's as simple as washing the hull with Simple Green. I usually use a combination of MaryKates Hull cleaner and Simple Green mixed, and one of those sponge on a poll thngs. It's that easy. Not to worry if it looks a little streaky, the new coats of NewGlass cover that up, if done right you'll never see any streaks, just a mirror shine. It blows my mind that this product is so easy to use and the results are so fantastic that nobody uses it. I know I sound like a commercial.
WAX vs PoliGlow
I'm a Poli Glow fan, easy, looks good and most of all doesn't require you to ware out your gel coat with the rubbing compounds. Older boats don't have a lot to spare as it is. If you haven't tried Poli Glow give it a try.
I'm a Poli Glow fan, easy, looks good and most of all doesn't require you to ware out your gel coat with the rubbing compounds. Older boats don't have a lot to spare as it is. If you haven't tried Poli Glow give it a try.
I don't like Poli-Glow
I personally just don't like the look of the PolyGlow shine, it looks fake. I don't know how to describe it, it just seems like the boat isn't really shining, like the shine is "painted on" or something. On new (to me) boats First, I use a color restorer (any brand) and a buffer, then I use Maguires (#54 I think) and a buffer to put 2-3 coats down, 1 or 2 more along the waterline and the bow. Actually, I have 2 buffers, 1 to apply and 1 to buff off. On following years I use a 1-step cleaner/wax (I prefer Dolphinite brand) instead of the color restorer. It may be alot of work but the shine radiates from the gel coat, it doesn't sit on top of it. I get a lot of compliments on my hull. Tom s/v Orion's Child
I personally just don't like the look of the PolyGlow shine, it looks fake. I don't know how to describe it, it just seems like the boat isn't really shining, like the shine is "painted on" or something. On new (to me) boats First, I use a color restorer (any brand) and a buffer, then I use Maguires (#54 I think) and a buffer to put 2-3 coats down, 1 or 2 more along the waterline and the bow. Actually, I have 2 buffers, 1 to apply and 1 to buff off. On following years I use a 1-step cleaner/wax (I prefer Dolphinite brand) instead of the color restorer. It may be alot of work but the shine radiates from the gel coat, it doesn't sit on top of it. I get a lot of compliments on my hull. Tom s/v Orion's Child
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