Association Forum - Poliglow??

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Poliglow??

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

lancej
1st Mate

Member Avatar

81 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/14/2004 : 13:15:20

Just finished polising my gelcoat over this last weekend. It looked great when I finished Sunday evening. Went down to her last night, and it is already starting to haze, blah!!

Leads me to this question - what is is this poliglow stuff everyone mentions? Is it really all that great? Where do I get it, and how much does it cost? How is it applied? Why does there seem to be this mystery about it. And finally, if it so good, why doesn't WM carry it?

Thanks,

Lance
85 FK/SR

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 13:48:52

There is no mystery, it and its competitors have been around for years. Do a search.

Edited by - on

megrier
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 13:54:45

Here is the web site for Poly Glow. http://www.poliglowproducts.com/
I used it on my boat which is an 82 because the hull was very dull and would stain very easily. I have had it in the water for about a month and it still looks great. Just make sure that you have all of the dirt and stains off before application. The Poly Glow will seal over what ever is on your Hull.
I liked the way it worked so well that I also did the cockpit and all areas of the deck except for the non skid. It works great to repel spilled adult beverages!!

P.S. Read the reviews on their web site. They have are very good comparisions to the other brands of finishes that are available.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 14:54:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by megrier
 
P.S. Read the reviews on their web site. They have are very good comparisions to the other brands of finishes that are available.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Heh-heh-heh!

I put four coats on before the 2002 season, and "didn't get a round tuit" either year since. The hull doesn't look brand new, but it still has a shine. A coat each year or two, after 4-5 initially, is recommended. If you want a spectatular mirror finish, stay with paste wax and a big buffer (at least every year).

I don't know why the Evil Empire doesn't have it--maybe because PG's employees love to hawk the stuff at boat shows. They seem to be doing rather well on that and word-of-mouth. Just bring the subject up on Trailersailor.com and stand back!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/14/2004 14:55:47

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 17:03:41

On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being best, I'd give Poli-glow a 4.5 to 5. I did the majority of my C25 last weekend, still have to finish up parts of the hull. The deck and cockpit areas were pretty dull (Florida sun is murder on fiberglass) and now there is definitely a shine but it's not the "mirror-like" finish I had hoped for. It's more like a dull, flat shine, if that makes any sense, and that's after applying 6 coats of the stuff. Maybe I applied too much (instructions say 4 to 6 coats) or maybe I shouldn't have expected miracles but I'm disappointed in the results. And it sure does seal in each and every mark or stain that isn't removed ahead of time. Hint: When you Poli-prep, make sure you have enough time to apply the Pol-glow right away or anything that falls on the deck surfaces (dust, bird poop, rain spots, soot, pollen etc.) during an interim will be there forever under the Poli-glow.

I'm stuck with it now unless I want to use Poli-prep to strip it all off and put something else on but frankly I'd rather be sailing her than constantly working on her so I'll live with it until sufficiently motivated to change.

Steve

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 17:07:39

Forgot to add that the shipping from Poli-glow was very quick and they answered my email questions right away so customer service is not an issue.

Also, there was more than enough product in the Poli-prep and Poli-glow kit to re-do the entire boat a second time (or do another boat) if I wanted to.

Steve

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 18:26:15

Steve have you gone thru the Redfish Pass inlet (around Captiva) or know of anyone who has used it in the last few months? Will be in that area on Sunday and if the wind is good sail the Gulf entering in there for the South Seas Marina rather than go down the ICW. I've heard mixed things about the depth/shoals. Thanks.

Looking foward to the trip!!!!

Edited by - on

roberoo
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2004 : 00:01:22

Hey lance,

I believe Charlie Obersheimer has it. I know he had something like it. I used a polish he recommended and it hazed up a day after I used it. I buffed it with an electric buffer and it came out great after that. I may have used too much.

By the way I was down at 7 seas and looked at you boat. I remember it now you bought ith e same day I looked at it from RCR last summer. I ended up going to Ohio to buy my boat. Looks good I like the Motor Mount pad.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2004 : 00:06:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lightnup
 On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being best, I'd give Poli-glow a 4.5 to 5. I did the majority of my C25 last weekend, still have to finish up parts of the hull. The deck and cockpit areas were pretty dull (Florida sun is murder on fiberglass) and now there is definitely a shine but it's not the "mirror-like" finish I had hoped for. It's more like a dull, flat shine, if that makes any sense, and that's after applying 6 coats of the stuff.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
As I said, if you want to look like a new boat, forget Poliglow, but if you want to spend your time sailing instead of buffing, try it. My humble opinion is that plastic is just plastic--a mirror finish doesn't make it nicer. Sailing makes it nicer.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2004 : 00:49:53

Sailgal - No I have not gone through it but my daughter's wedding ceremony was on the beach at South Seas alongside Redfish pass. Of course, I was paying attention to the duties of giving the bride away but, as a boater, I also couldn't help but be distracted by watching some of the boats struggle against the strong current on their way through the pass.
_________________________________________________________________

Here's a description of the pass from Florida Sportsman:

Redfish is famed for its spring and summer snook fishing, particularly on falling tides. The flow hurries into the pass mostly from the southeast, guided by a long bar that juts far out into the sound. On spring tides, there's a boiling river of current foaming past the newly installed riprap on the South Seas Plantation shore, sucking bait and boats into the funnel of the narrow pass, only about 100 yards across the narrowest portion.
___________________________________________________________________

And from Southwest Florida Yachts:

If you plan to head out into the Gulf from here, Redfish Pass between Captiva and North Captiva is navigable; however, it is best to ask for local knowledge for Mother Nature's latest changes to the cut.
_____________________________________________________________

You might want to call the Harbor Master at South Seas before attempting to transit the pass. Good luck. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Steve

Edited by - on

lancej
1st Mate

Members Avatar

81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2004 : 06:19:39

Thanks everyone. I was out at the local sailor supply and he reccomended aginst Poliglow (and he sells it) in favor of a good quality paste wax. I guess I shouldn't have left it for a day w/o wax. He said the poliglow has a real problem if the gel isn't "surgicaly clean" as he put it. So I'm going with the paste wax he reccomended. I guess i'm wondering if I have to rub it out again, or will the wax take care of the haze that is there now??

Hi Bob, Charlie carries it, but it was he who reccomended aginst it. Do you think it will ever stop raining this year?

Lance

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2004 : 07:38:42

Just don't make anyone else help you. Chandlers give some of the worst advise a person can get. It is like asking an old mechanic what he thinks of a new car.

Edited by - on

nate
Navigator

Members Avatar

240 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 10:06:21

I used Vertglas on my deck and cockpit with average results. Now after 2-3 years I wish I had gone the wax/buffer route and not used the Vertglas (a poli-glow like product)...the shine dulled and as someone else mentioned, it seals in everything that is on the fiberglass prior to using the product. I'm really glad I didn't use the stuff on the hull which was in better shape than the deck at the time I decided to use the stuff. Soon, I will strip off the Vertglas and go back to the elbow grease method. Lesson learned!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 10:51:45

I just finished a boat clean/shine up with the Meguiars "One Step" cleaner/wax product mentioned recently in another thread. Very nice shine, good cleaning power, quite a bit easier to use than the 3M Fiberglass Restorer I tried last time around.

It is available in two grades, one with a very 'light' abrasive and a heavy-duty cleaner with more aggressive abrasive. (I used the light one this time around).

Will see how well it lasts.

For a beautiful 'polymer' finish, I use a product called 'Zaino' on my cars... at $12 a bottle it's a pretty good value. The shine and beading effect lasts about 8 months on the cars.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 10:58:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nate
 I used Vertglas on my deck and cockpit with average results. Now after 2-3 years I wish I had gone the wax/buffer route and not used the Vertglas (a poli-glow like product)...the shine dulled and as someone else mentioned, it seals in everything that is on the fiberglass prior to using the product. I'm really glad I didn't use the stuff on the hull which was in better shape than the deck at the time I decided to use the stuff. Soon, I will strip off the Vertglas and go back to the elbow grease method. Lesson learned!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hi Nate,

I'm sitting on the fence regarding Poliglow/Vertglas, so I'm really interested to hear stories like yours.

I'm wondering if applying it to the deck/cockpit is a fair test ...

Obviously, the deck gets the lion's share of wear & tear, dirt, and UV damage ... the hull is relatively protected. It's hard to argue with Frank's results ... the hull is stunning, and that's a 20 year old boat!

Thanks for sharing your results. I hope we hear from others who have used Poliglow/Vertglas on their hulls ... I'd like to know how the hull looks after a year or two (or three).

Edited by - on

rford
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 12:10:36

I applied Poliglow this past spring and was very happy with the results. However, they say specifically not to apply Poliglow on the deck/cockpit. I think it would make things quite slippery. (Have you ever put AmorAll on the leather seats in your car?)

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 12:14:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 I hope we hear from others who have used Poliglow/Vertglas on their hulls ... I'd like to know how the hull looks after a year or two (or three).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My Poliglow finish is in its third season with no attention, and it's not great but way better than any wax would be from over two years ago... (I barely had a chance to paint the bottom this Spring.) However, a quick, annual appication of a single coat (after the initial 4-5) restores the shine. Just get any new marks off first.

I suspect that a super-shine is less important to people in this part of the country than in some others--maybe because there are more older boats, and that they live in the water--salty, green water. A brilliant shine around here sort of says "I just picked this up at the boat show and don't know how to use it yet, so I'm not using it."

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 16:28:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rford
 I applied Poliglow this past spring and was very happy with the results. However, they say specifically not to apply Poliglow on the deck/cockpit. I think it would make things quite slippery. (Have you ever put AmorAll on the leather seats in your car?)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I am thrilled with my results. I don't recommend going against the instructions and applying it to the deck and cockpit. Regardless of the wear issues, the deck and cockpit are the last places I want to shine. If I had a colored deck I would probably be annoyed with the loss of color but getting the color back would not be worth the reflectivity. I want the dull matt finish to reduce glare and reflective radiation. I use either Island Girl Pink or Softscrub to remove the oxidation and keep the matt finish. (Most people at our club use Softscrub.)

Edited by - on

rclift
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 19:08:38

I used Vertglas this year and was very pleased. Looks great but the main reason I used it was that the routine of abrading away the oxidation each year with polishes and other compounds is beginning to show in the thin gel coat. Since this stuff is layered on I figured it would give me a few more years of acceptable looks before I have to actually paint the hull. The company that produces vertglas suggests that it is ok for the deck but they warn you that sunscreens that contain aloe will stain. One of the fleet members told me the other day they didn't realize my boat was tan. Even though I polished or waxed the boat every year it always appeared like a white hull in the sun.

Edited by - on

lancej
1st Mate

Members Avatar

81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 05:18:51

Just to keep everyone updated (if you want to know): used the Meguiars "One Step" (again) and applied 3M ultra marine paste wax the same day (2 coats) and I am very happy with the results. Actually a little too happy, as I can see evidence of past scratches and bangs much easier now that it is back to it's near factory color. But it is shiny. We will see how it lasts. Goes in the water today, Yeah!!

Lance
85 FK/SR

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.