Options
Is Your Colored Hull Chalky?
explore7425
Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
For a number of years I have had 2 Blue Hulled Rinker Cruisers. (342 Fiesta Vee, 370 EC). They are a struggle. Actually they were both very chalky and neglected when I bought them. My most recent, the 370 was really bad almost totally white. Needless to say I literally spent thousands to bring them back utilizing probably every method anyone could mention. The problem is after sanding, compounding, and waxing it would look a lot better but the truth is I was fighting a losing battle. Shortly after the boat was done and in the water the white would start coming back. Even when the boat is freshly done and you put it next to another undamaged hull you can see just how bad off you really are.
Recently I have heard some talk about Island Girl Products. After years of frustration and not wanting to use products like Poliglow I was skeptical. One day when I had some time I called Island Girl to find out what the deal was. I spoke with the owner and inventor and he impressed me so I decided with nothing to lose I would give his product a shot.
OH MY GOD! THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! I followed directions and wiped it on with a paper towel. It took the white out completely. I was shocked. This is unbelievable. Complete restoration with one wipe. Little to no labor.
I also decided to use another product he had to seal the hull. It was a wipe on product that the owner said dries 3x harder than the gel coat itself. He assured me that once this is done my problems were over. He told me that I could wax after this if I wanted to but he felt it was unnecessary. It produced a mirror shine that would last a couple years with regular washing. So far everything he said has been true.
I did not take any before pictures of my boat but I walked down the dock to my friends black rinker that was in real trouble. I took one wipe with the de-oxidizer on a section and took this picture four hours later. This was just one wipe with a paper towel. No buff out, sealer or wax. (We are doing his boat for real this week)
My boat looks awesome and I wish I had some before pics but I will post some after pics.
Bella Sabrina II 370EC
Comments
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
i just placed an order for the hawaiian 2 step process
1)elixir
2)mirror hard superglaze and a complimentary 4ozs of "simply brilliant" superwax
expensive products but only a fraction of what i spend on detailers annually
i had a long conversation with the owner...seems like a nice guy...said if it didn't meet my expectations to send it back for a full refund
2007 rinker 270
"Julie Ann"
PC BYC, Holland, MI
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
U.V. eventually breaks down all polymers and if you've ever bought a boat that has these polymers after they age/peel/yellow you'd wish you'd have taken the tried an true route of an effective (yes, aka exhausting) compounding/polishing and quality wax application. Knowledgeable buyers will even want to know if these products have been applied to a hull and will deduct the cost of removal from the sale price or insist it's removed prior to closing. It can be brutal.
I'd highly recommend that you do some objective research, disregard the hype and initial joy at the early shine and place credence on the proper steps used by true finishing professionals, not brokers or sellers who often use this as a quick fix to make a tired/scratchy gelcoat temporarily shine for a sale.
Gelcoat is used by manufacturers for a reason, it's tough, relatively thick, and can be brought back to life with a regular quality waxing....IF... the (1)prep/(2)compounding/(3)polishing was done correctly. That means effectively compounding AND polishing out the mircro scratches BEFORE waxing, otherwise wax is only a very temporary sealer shine of a hull covered with tiny abrasions that quickly attract further sun damage. A white hull isn't immune to this type of damage, it's just less noticeable (certainly a plus to some).
Here's the best link I've found regarding the proper way to get your gelcoat to shine just like the day it came from the showroom(or better). (HOW-TO LINK) It's not magical and there's a very specific sequence to it that is usually cut short somewhere in the process.
There are numerous objective discussions and pics on the net regarding the real life use of these polymers (aka floorwax) on your boat hull. Don't be too hasty in racing to a conclusion on how magical these products are. In the end of course, if it works for you and never fails then shazaam. It's shiny.
Just sayin'. There's really no free lunch when it comes to restoring your hull. Fair winds, Mike
PC BYC, Holland, MI
My heart goes out to you all with colored hulls. They really look terrific, but I am not sure I am up to all of the work trying to keep them looking that way.
I assume this is always an issue regardless of the color, manufacturer, etc?
Feel free to spare yourself and only read opinions based on your revelations.....and mere 20yrs of boating experience.
Best regards, Mr Doom 8-X
2019 MTX20 Extreme
Ive considered these products, done the inquiries and felt like it was over hyped. Not a complete farce just pushed with a bit too much zeal.
It's only a simple matter of encouraging a deeper look into the claims and the shortfalls from some consumers who had issues over time. It's my opinion posted on our public forum not an attack on yours where you can delete unflattering viewpoints. Pretty sure that objectivity and civility will always count on RBOC.
Not really intimidated by your misplaced aggression, it actually encourages others to look into both sides of the product. Thanks.
Fairs winds, Mike
I'm not using the products you listed but if there is any silicone in those it may be giving you a quick false shine that just won't last. Otherwise the hull may not be getting effectively stripped when prepping to compound or polish adding to layers of finishing materials used in prior years. Lastly if the polishing phase isn't thoroughly done you're only waxing over/sealing an imperfect finish of micro scratches that will soon return to a less satisfying look.
I have a few spots around deck fittings at the stern that I can't get to very well and the process breaks down as I get tired/impatient allowing a few spots of lighter color to get less attention. If I wax them they look good for a week or so and then fade. Otherwise the broad sections are pretty straight on great. Colored and white hulls in the relentless tropical sun are nothing new and almost every one I see that looks great simply means that someone has spent a ton of time or cash keeping it fresh. I certainly feel your pain when it comes to time/money spent on boat upkeep.
Please post what you end up doing. Hope there's something in those thoughts that'll help. Mike
Again you go on and on saying "These Products". What are you referring to? Do you have anything constructive to say about the specific product I am talking about? The answer is no you do not. You just felt like you had to chime in on something even though you really have nothing to say.
I'll give this stuff a whirl and see how it does.. I'm all about hard shelling... But:
Once that factory shine is compromised, anything you do to recover it short of replacing it is temporary.. some maybe more temporary than others, huh? I mean, if you wanna split hairs, even the factory finish is temporary, right?
I'm going to give this stuff a shot.. it sounds better than most based on what's being shared here, but I will end up wrapping the boat.. unless that stuff can change the color of my floater, I don't think it will work for what I've got in mind. :-)
You can take it or leave it, but unless someone is in error, and I'll admit to that on occasion X_X , there is no sense in being combative. Just my .02
PC BYC, Holland, MI