F11 Topcoat

Dirtythirty

Has anyone had any experience using F11 Topcoat on gelcoat ?     My sides are painted, so I'm sure it will be fine for that area,  but I was thinking about multiple applications down along my water line in hopes of keeping the scum line under control.  Any thoughts ?

laureniac1

Negative and I have reached out to F11 multiple times to post boat pictures (Instagram). I use on my GMC Sierra inside and out. It’s is WONDERFUL! Takes 20 minutes to do entire truck. I definitely doing a test pattern in a month on my 270 with F11 

Dirtythirty

So the process I chose, was to use a buffer on my white gelcoat with polishing compound, followed by 2 coats of hand wax (carnuba)  and 2 coats of F11 Topcoat.  The red paint was washed and then 2 coats of handwax (carnuba) and then 2 coats of F11 Topcoat.  It's difficult to see in this photo, but the results were spectacular.  The F11 brought out a shiny luster to the gelcoat that I haven't seen before, and a deep wet look to the paint.  I'm sold, I just will have to see how it holds up and how often I need to re-apply it. 

reneechris14

Definitely puts on the shine. Either the boats to big or the latter is to small??

Willhound

Beautiful shine! Yep, I've been a health and safety rep off and on for 20 years. Pic made my butt pucker..

aero3113

Willhound said:

Beautiful shine! Yep, I've been a health and safety rep off and on for 20 years. Pic made my butt pucker..

Same here, LoL. @Dirtythirty I’m going to have to write up a safety report, LoL!  Looks Great!!

laureniac1

Did you try the F11 before the polish compounding? Just wondering of it truly would “cut” through it. I’m uncovering my 270 Friday and I’m doing a “test” spot with F11. Again it is amazing in my truck 

DanD2

I also use it on my truck and snowmobile and it is an awesome product. I've used it on the gelcoat of my helm and radar arch but never on the outside as I use Poli-Glow. It does a very good job on the interior gelcoat.

J3ff

It looks like their instructions says to NOT wax and just put the coating on. 

GMSLITHO

And the ladder instructions say not a step

JoeStang

Any long term results anyone has seen? Gonna need to do my big spring detail, and would like to try something that lasts good. I'm happy with the Starbrite PTEF, but it usually starts losing the deep gloss by midseason.

Dirtythirty

The decal on the ladder did say "NO STEP"...but I wasn't sure if that applied to "me" !  
As far as the F11 goes, There is a video out there with a guy applying the product to a boat with blue gelcoat with heavy oxidation.  From the angle the video is shot, it appears to gloss over the entire area.  My thought is...(even if you don't wax it, at least buff it out first with polishing compound and then seal it with F11.  That way, you know you are sealing a surface that already has a shine to it.  If not, I would think that existing oxidation will just come through again. 

JoeStang

I've got no real oxidation to speak of, just some minor scratches & swirls that I'll buff out. I just want it to stay glossy and beady the whole season, if possible.

Handymans342

Nice boat in front of you Dirty

Dirtythirty

@Handymans342:  Thank You !!
@JoeStang : If you don't purchase some of your own, I'll post later in the season, how it holds up and how often I re-apply it 

skennelly

Handymans342

Handymans342 said:

Nice boat in front of you Dirty

I didnt mean your boat although it's looking good too. I meant the boat on stands in front of yours. What is it??

Dirtythirty

Mainship 43...and I retract my "thank you" :-)

skennelly

Ouch

mattie

What is F11 topcoat? Kinda brutal info on the interweb. Assume it’s like Poliglow or ??

Dirtythirty

Its my understanding, it is a sealant (somewhat like a ceramic coating).    I took a leap of faith when I bought it, only because of numerous positive personal experiences from acquaintances.  It would have been too expensive for me to just purchase the product based on some internet or TV ad.    As I stated earlier,  from my personal experience (thus far) I like what I see.  I need to get a good take on the longevity of the application.  If it needs to be re-applied monthly, I'm good with that, as it goes on and comes off very easily.  I can say one thing with certainty at this point. The dreaded black streaks (after a rain) wipe right off.  That in itself is a "win".
What I I'm NOT SO SURE of, is the claim that you apply it to heavily oxidized gelcoat and it magically brings back the deep luster the boat came with. I do think you need to apply it AFTER you buff out that gelcoat first.

mattie

Probably can't hurt whatsoever - once you have a good shine in place. I guess still no replacement for muscle, buffing & microfiber rags. Really like Meguiars flagship series.

Be nice to have a top coat of sorts though.

DanD2

I can tell you this......I apply F11  to my truck 2-3 times a year. Usually before winter, in the spring and sometimes during the summer. The stuff LASTS!!! In the winter, when the temp gets above or close to freezing, I go to the touchless car wash and my truck comes out just as shiny as when I applied it in the fall. I don't use the hot wax from the carwash, just the spray, rinse and spot free rinse.

As far as boats.....not sure, I just use it topside. I doubt it will take out oxidation but I may be wrong.

JonnyM

I have used it on my car and truck with very good results.  I've found that it keeps brake dust from sticking to the wheels very well.  I am going to try some on the boat this year.

Dirtythirty

the wheel thing is a great idea...I'll have to give that a try

diggin2day1

@Dirtythirty - How much did you need to cover your boat?

Dirtythirty

@diggin2day1...I have one coat on my painted red surfaces, and 2 coats on the white gelcoat port, starboard and stern.  That used up one large (12oz) bottle  

Ian

I just buffed up mine below the rub line, hope finish the rest Saturday. My son reminded me of the F11 he sent me (mainly for the Fatboy) so I will be trying it out for sure.