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Hull Finish

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Jack8409
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/17/2013 : 17:01:32

So, I'm starting my fourth season on the Bay, and have been wondering what's going on with what appears to be spotty deterioration of the clear coat finish over the dark blue paint on the port side of my hull. The clear coat is peeling off in one area - the base paint is adhering just fine. I don't use any bumpers in the slip so there is no abrasion.

A PO (I suspect) - I'm the sixth owner - had the boat painted a dark blue decades ago, and when it's washed and waxed with Meguiar's "Pure Wax" every Spring before launch, it looks like new. I use a plastic scraper to peel off the really loose edges of the peeling clear coat and apply a couple of coats of wax. I can continue to do this - no problem. But, . . .

Do any of you experts have any idea what product I could use to restore the clear coat in the affected areas? The base coat of blue paint (it's definitely not gel coat) is solid and is adhering just fine. I would simply like to restore the glossy finish.

Free advice is welcome! (I've tried to attach a photo.)

Capt. Jack
"Baywynd"
'81-#2586-SK/TR

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2013 : 17:32:52

I'll take a stab at this... if I can, I'll help. The boats did not ship with a painted hull. So the hull HAS been painted. Now clear coat is a new one on me. Usually a 1 or 2 part polyurethane finish is used to paint a boat. Common brands of these paints are Awlgrip, Pettit, Interlux Brightsides, and the like.

If someone enameled the boat with blue, then polyurethane clear coated on top of that, I could see exactly what you are describing. Unfortunately the typical types of clear coats purchased over the counter break down (actually all polys, and urethanes do this) under UV (some faster than others). Your choices are to clear coat it again... Strip it to gelcoat, start over... or sand it and urethane it again. I suppose you could also wet-sand it and compound/polish/wax, but depending on how thick the paint job is this might get you through to gelcoat, then you'd be painting again.

Take heart, because I am sort-of (pardon the pun) in the same boat. Someone awlgripped my boat (I have to assume that was what it was it held up pretty well) probably 15+ years ago. It's bubbled and peeled in a few places (very minor), but the luster is gone, but more importantly the original gel coat was light blue and is shown through in several places. I've basically resolved to sand and paint the hull again.

Either way, keep us posted on your progress, and what you've done to resolve it.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2013 : 20:17:04

Sounds like Poly Glow peeling to me. Was the hull shiny when you bought it? Did the PO use the Meguir's wax or did you start it?

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 08:01:19

Buy a PolyGlow kit and follow the instructions - about $70. No sanding, no buffing just a brilliant shine after 5 coats (which takes about 2 hours).

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 08:10:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 Sounds like Poly Glow peeling to me...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure that's a good idea on paint, and I'm not sure what is. Polyurethane also tends to peel off oil-based paint in my limited experience, especially if the paint hasn't been sanded before application.

About the only thing I know that removes Poli Glow reasonably easily and thoroughly is Poli Prep, a weapons-grade cleaner you can buy separately from the [url="http://www.poliglow-int.com/"]Poli Glow people[/url].

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/18/2013 08:16:24

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 18:01:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 Sounds like Poly Glow peeling to me...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure that's a good idea on paint, and I'm not sure what is.
About the only thing I know that removes Poli Glow reasonably easily and thoroughly is Poli Prep, a weapons-grade cleaner you can buy separately from the [url="http://www.poliglow-int.com/"]Poli Glow people[/url].
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree it sounds like the Poly Glow is peeling off. I have been using it for about 2 years on Confetti and it seems to work great. I am long overdue for another coat however. I did have the hull scrape the dock a month ago or so, and the clear coat peeled like described in the lead note in the thread. Confetti's Hull was Awlgripped about 20 years agpo after a guy rammed me and it stayed shiny till about 2 years ago, so thats when I started using PolyGlow. So it seems to work quite well on my paint...

Chuck

Edited by - on

Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2013 : 20:28:18

I did the poly glow the first year I had my boat, the third year I spent an inordinate amount of time getting rid of it. I t did not hold up well to the mountain sun at all. I then wet sanded the oxidation off starting with 220 then 400 then 600 then 1000 compounded and polished it. for the last several years all I have had to do is give it a quick wax in the fall and in the spring, VERY easy an looks Very good. the poly glow looks great for awhile..... then not so much. even with their prep/removal it was tough to get it all off. Ammonia helps (it's a lot like stripping a floor wax), but is tough on other stuff. You might not have any choice with the paint under it, but for anyone else, if you have enough gel coat remaining, polish it out and keep it waxed, You will be much happier in the end.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 05:40:17

our boat is thin on the gelcoat I think: Any suggestions on what to look for for gelcoat?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 09:55:46

Were I in the same situation, I'd opt for 2 part polyurethane sprayed on by the pros, or a DIY paintjob - roll and tip (you and a friend). Next weekend I'm doing poli-prep and re-poli-glow Passage.

Edited by - on

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