"ZINK" wrote in message
...
Okay, it's time for the annual rants. Assuming that wax is for bowling
alleys
and mustaches, what are the best products for cleaning, de-oxidizing,
restoring
and protecting fiberglass topsides

Since topsides are that part of the hull that is exposed above the water
line but below the sheer, wax or polymer coatings are fine. I assume,
however, that you've mistakenly referred to such structures as the coach
roof and other deck zones as "topsides," and those areas require somewhat
different care.

and decks. I expect that most will have
different solutions for decks than they do for topsides. Lets hear it all,
but
include as much detail as possible. This is not looking for simple
"votes". I
want to hear the WHY in each response.

I don't wax nonskid or even the parts of the deck that aren't non-skid. I
simply clean them well and allow them to dry. If they are oxidized, some
very mild polishing compound, such as Starbrite's Fiberglass Color Restorer,
will polish the gelcoat sufficiently to make it look presentable, but of
course it will re-oxidize with time and sun.

Coachroof sides can be waxed, but even that's probably not a good idea. If
you wish to avoid further oxidation, apply some wax or polymer sealant, but
walk carefully when near those sides. They will be slippery when wet.

Max

"ZINK" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:54:43 GMT, "Maxprop" wrote:


"ZINK" wrote in message
. ..
Okay, it's time for the annual rants. Assuming that wax is for bowling
alleys
and mustaches, what are the best products for cleaning, de-oxidizing,
restoring
and protecting fiberglass topsides

Since topsides are that part of the hull that is exposed above the water
line but below the sheer, wax or polymer coatings are fine. I assume,
however, that you've mistakenly referred to such structures as the coach
roof and other deck zones as "topsides," and those areas require somewhat
different care.

and decks. I expect that most will have
different solutions for decks than they do for topsides. Lets hear it
all,
but
include as much detail as possible. This is not looking for simple
"votes". I
want to hear the WHY in each response.

I don't wax nonskid or even the parts of the deck that aren't non-skid. I
simply clean them well and allow them to dry. If they are oxidized, some
very mild polishing compound, such as Starbrite's Fiberglass Color
Restorer,
will polish the gelcoat sufficiently to make it look presentable, but of
course it will re-oxidize with time and sun.

Coachroof sides can be waxed, but even that's probably not a good idea.
If
you wish to avoid further oxidation, apply some wax or polymer sealant,
but
walk carefully when near those sides. They will be slippery when wet.

Max


You have misjudged, Maxpropeller. I fully know the difference between
topsides
and deck. That's why I specifically mentioned both. I would like to assume
that
in a newsgroup with the name "alt.sailing.asa" basic nomenclature would
not be
an issue.

Meanwhile, there are many products on the market that are aimed
specifically at
coating and protecting nonskid and decks that are not slippery when either
wet
or dry.

Are there any folks out there who have boats and experience that can do
better
than poor "Maxprop"?

Thank you

You sound a bit too defensive to be credible, Z. But I'll grant you the
benefit of the doubt and presume you know the difference. Sadly most
"sailors" are clueless, referring to anything above the sheerline as "the
topsides."

My boat is Awlgripped, so I use US Paint's products. However, I've used a
variety of products on gelcoat over the decades. One I particularly like
for removing oxidation is Yachtbrite's Buff Magic, a mild polishing compound
with *no* abrasive, but a very definite polishing action. I don't know how
it works, but it does, and very nicely when used with a polishing wheel.
I've also used 3M's Finessit with good results, but like the Yachtbrite Buff
Magic better for several reasons: it is a paste, not a liquid, and it
doesn't seem remove gelcoat as aggressively as the Finessit does.

Following a good single buffing and removal of the residue, I like Collinite
Fleetwax paste for long-lasting shine and protection. More recently,
however, I tried Meguiar's Tech Wax on a friend's boat with amazing results.
After a day in the sun, the topsides looked like new gelcoat. And the boat
still looked great 6 months later. I may try this stuff on my Alwgrip, if I
can determine it's chemical makeup. It's a car polish/sealant, and I use it
on my vehicles, but I suspect it might find its way into the offshore
go-fast boat crowd, who always seem to be looking for something to make
their boats shinier.

Hope that help.

Poor "Maxprop"

"Maxprop" wrote in message
link.net...

My boat is Awlgripped, so I use US Paint's products.

Maxprop, my boat is also Awlgripped. It was done in USA before I brought her
over here but Awlgrip is not heard of here although there are probably
similar products sold under different names.
Anyway, it is a lovely white finish but after the winter layup she needs
cleaning off and waxing-or something.
What US Paint product do you use?

It is you that has misjudged Maxprop, for he is superior to
all of us. You can tell by the coffee he drinks.

SBV



"ZINK" wrote in message
...

You have misjudged, Maxpropeller. I fully know the
difference between topsides
and deck. That's why I specifically mentioned both. I
would like to assume that
in a newsgroup with the name "alt.sailing.asa" basic
nomenclature would not be
an issue.

Are there any folks out there who have boats and
experience that can do better
than poor "Maxprop"?

Thank you
Z

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

"Maxprop" wrote in message
link.net...

My boat is Awlgripped, so I use US Paint's products.

Maxprop, my boat is also Awlgripped. It was done in USA before I brought
her
over here but Awlgrip is not heard of here although there are probably
similar products sold under different names.
Anyway, it is a lovely white finish but after the winter layup she needs
cleaning off and waxing-or something.
What US Paint product do you use?

Awlwash for cleanup, and Awlcare for polishing/sealing. Frankly I really
don't know if either product is any different from the myriad other products
of similar use on the market, but I can get them in bulk--which makes them
price competitive with the other products--and they do a nice job. I have a
friend whose boat is Awlgripped in flag blue, and he power buffs his
topsides (a no-no) annually with a non-US Paint approved wax, and with
excellent results. So I suspect other products will work well on their
paint. Just avoid Teflon-based waxes and those with intrinsic cleaners
(abrasives). Awlgrip maintains its shine through the integrity of the
surface. Once that surface is breeched by abrasives, the shine is lost.
Try any non-US Paint product on a small area before doing the whole boat,
just to be safe. I'm going to try Meguiar's Tech Wax this year, but only a
tiny spot near the transom. If it works okay, I'll probably do the entire
topsides with it next year. My boat is hunter green.

Hope that helps. By the way, where are you?

Max

"Scotty" wrote in message
...
It is you that has misjudged Maxprop, for he is superior to
all of us. You can tell by the coffee he drinks.

I also shoot better than Mooron, and that should stand for something, right?

Max

"Maxprop" wrote in message
link.net...



Awlwash for cleanup, and Awlcare for polishing/sealing. Frankly I really
don't know if either product is any different from the myriad other
products
of similar use on the market, but I can get them in bulk--which makes them
price competitive with the other products--and they do a nice job. I have
a
friend whose boat is Awlgripped in flag blue, and he power buffs his
topsides (a no-no) annually with a non-US Paint approved wax, and with
excellent results. So I suspect other products will work well on their
paint. Just avoid Teflon-based waxes and those with intrinsic cleaners
(abrasives). Awlgrip maintains its shine through the integrity of the
surface. Once that surface is breeched by abrasives, the shine is lost.
Try any non-US Paint product on a small area before doing the whole boat,
just to be safe. I'm going to try Meguiar's Tech Wax this year, but only
a
tiny spot near the transom. If it works okay, I'll probably do the entire
topsides with it next year. My boat is hunter green.

Hope that helps. By the way, where are you?

Max

Maxprop, thanks for that. I will try some local boatwash stuff to get the
dirt off and then wax it.
I am on the Oslo fjord, and my boat is based in a marina on the island of
Tjøme which is just south of Tønsberg, Norways oldest town and once the
centre of the whaling industry. Oslo is about 50 miles north of us. Superb
sailing in the fjord but there are more power boats going at full blast
round here than I have ever seen before. But, as always, if you go offshore
a bit they are much rarer. They seem to prefer to race through the narrower
and more crowded areas at top speeds up to 50 knots. Last year I saw a guy
in a large RIB, maybe 25/30 ft and he had three 300 hp outboards on the
stern!


"Maxprop" wrote in message
link.net...
"Maxprop" wrote in message
link.net...

My boat is Awlgripped, so I use US Paint's products.

Maxprop, my boat is also Awlgripped. It was done in USA before I brought
her
over here but Awlgrip is not heard of here although there are probably
similar products sold under different names.
Anyway, it is a lovely white finish but after the winter layup she needs
cleaning off and waxing-or something.
What US Paint product do you use?

Awlwash for cleanup, and Awlcare for polishing/sealing. Frankly I really
don't know if either product is any different from the myriad other
products
of similar use on the market, but I can get them in bulk--which makes them
price competitive with the other products--and they do a nice job. I have
a
friend whose boat is Awlgripped in flag blue, and he power buffs his
topsides (a no-no) annually with a non-US Paint approved wax, and with
excellent results. So I suspect other products will work well on their
paint. Just avoid Teflon-based waxes and those with intrinsic cleaners
(abrasives). Awlgrip maintains its shine through the integrity of the
surface. Once that surface is breeched by abrasives, the shine is lost.
Try any non-US Paint product on a small area before doing the whole boat,
just to be safe. I'm going to try Meguiar's Tech Wax this year, but only
a
tiny spot near the transom. If it works okay, I'll probably do the entire
topsides with it next year. My boat is hunter green.

Hope that helps. By the way, where are you?

Max

"Edgar" wrote in message
...
Maxprop, thanks for that. I will try some local boatwash stuff to get the
dirt off and then wax it.
I am on the Oslo fjord, and my boat is based in a marina on the island of
Tjøme which is just south of Tønsberg, Norways oldest town and once the
centre of the whaling industry. Oslo is about 50 miles north of us. Superb
sailing in the fjord but there are more power boats going at full blast
round here than I have ever seen before. But, as always, if you go
offshore
a bit they are much rarer. They seem to prefer to race through the
narrower
and more crowded areas at top speeds up to 50 knots. Last year I saw a
guy
in a large RIB, maybe 25/30 ft and he had three 300 hp outboards on the
stern!

We keep hoping the high fuel prices will discourage powerboaters, but no
such luck. They seem to be inflation-proof around here.

I've seen photos of the Oslo fjord, and it's a gorgeous place. You're luck
to be there.

Max

Maxprop wrote:


We keep hoping the high fuel prices will discourage powerboaters, but no
such luck. They seem to be inflation-proof around here.

If you can afford several hundred thousand for a high powered penis
substitute, the cost of fuel is rather unimportant! ;-)

Cheers
Marty