Did the VertGlas this weekend. Pics

[Todd157k]

I've buffed and polished this boat twice and not pleased with the outcome. Not only that, but it looked like crap after a couple times out. I got the Vertglas kit and my son and I went at it this last weekend. There are some things you learn along the way if anyone is interested I'll post up some of my "oops, I won't do that again" things.

sorry for the large pics but it's the only way you can really see the oxidation/finish.

the 'before'

The after isn't really 'after' because I only have 4 or 5 coats (lost count) and I ran out of the sealer. I have more coming already but I'm so pleased with the look, I can't imagine it getting a whole lot better.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Did the VertGlas this weekend. Pics

good post, that looks good. post up after a few time out on the lake...curiouse how it holds up.

 

[Todd157k]

Re: Did the VertGlas this weekend. Pics

ok, so I haven't kept up with this posting. In the 3 years now, I've re-done the Vertglas coating 3 times. It lasts about a year with minimal care. I did it last weekend again (3rd time).. only on the "cheap". I used stuff from the grocery store instead of the VertGlas kit. I used Softscrub for cleaning with a light duty scrubb, Dawn dishwashing soap for cleaning the stripped hull, and Mop-N-Glo for the coating. Every one of my 'substitute' products looked, smelled, and worked the same as the Vertglas except cost $20 instead of $100. The finish came out just like the first time (pic above). The only thing I used from the Vertglas kit was the chemical stripper and the brush. I'm sure the regular kitchen floor stripper would have worked fine because it is made to remove Mop-N-Glo. As for the foam brush, I used theirs because it has a chamois covering. The reason is so that there are no air bubbles when applying. I tried a regular foam brush but it didn't work very well. It left streaks and bubbles.
With this last coating, I'm going to keep carnauba wax on it and see if I can get it to last longer.

All-in-all.. it's farrrrrr easier than buffing and polishing and lasts waaaayyyy longer. Also, when I bump the dock, it's a pretty quick "spot" painting.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Did the VertGlas this weekend. Pics

I used PoliGlow on my sailboat with good results as well. Did you really need to re-apply every year? I got several years out of it.

Some folks like the compounding and polishing route. I don't like to take material off the finish, so that is why I chose the co-polymer solution route. As a matter of fact, I think I have some left in the garage that I could use this year, if need be.

 

[Todd157k]

Re: Did the VertGlas this weekend. Pics

I did the scrub/re-apply each year because I didn't like a "partial" nice boat. The blue are towards the bow takes the worst of the sun. As soon as it was looking bad, it got re-done.

I'll try the poliglow next time. Is the application the same?

edit:
Looks like the poliglow is near the same price as vertglas. No thanks. I just found another forum talking about the floor finish products and Red Max Pro from Lowes got the "thumbs up" ... $7 / gal.