Should I Use P-M-P LUSTER FINISH?
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Southern Boating Magazine. It was extracted from the “Weekend Workshop” article in the January, 2003 issue of Southern Boating. While the editors from this respected boating magazine were not endorsing any product brand names, they were reviewing different procedures to improve the gloss of gelcoated fiberglass.
“The new-fangled route to gelcoat restoration is using today’s space age copolymers that fill the in the microscopic porous defects of your gelcoat’s aging finish. A number of products have come on the market that effectively restore gelcoat shine. These formulations renew the gloss in essentially the same way as wax by providing a new smooth surface, but without compounding. Results can be impressive, but because restorers are an acrylic coating, similar to varnish, they can wear off and occasionally discolor. Copolymer restoration kits typically include a prep wash and sometimes a polish in addition to the restorer.”
“There are different application methods, but in general it is a clean, polish, and coat system. The acrylic sealer is water-thin, so applying it to the hull is much easier than wax. Because it dries to a hard film, no buffing is needed. However, you’ll need to apply several coats to get a good shine. If the product you have selected doesn’t include an applicator, use a sponge or a soft cloth to wipe the sealer onto the gelcoat. Drying times are short, so subsequent coats can be applied almost immediately.”
“A multicoat application can restore weathered gelcoat to a new shine that will last up to a year. However, when it is time to renew it, you will need to remove the old sealer using a special stripper, usually supplied in the kit. Apply a few fresh coats of sealer and your boat will look like new for another year. There are several effective brands on the market. Do your homework, search the internet, ask around or hit a boat show. It’s a heck of a lot easier and lasts longer than sanding & compounding, without the potential of removing too much gelcoat.”
Merchandise Resource, manufacturer of P-M-P LUSTER FINISH, would like to address some statements made in this article. The article recommends applying a “few” or “multiple” coats of an acrylic coating. We prefer a full five coats of P-M-P LUSTER FINISH to provide the maximum gloss and protection. The article also states that a “sponge” may be used as an applicator. A “sponge” may leave imperfections in the finish; therefore we recommend a PVA pre-moistened chamois applicator for best results. Lastly, the article stated that the “old sealer” must be removed yearly before a new coating can be applied. This statement may be true, but if the acrylic coating was applied correctly and maintained correctly, a couple of refresher coats may be applied over the pre-existing coating to reproduce the glossy shine without removing the old finish.
Please do not take the above comments negatively. We appreciate the fact that Southern Boating took the time and print space to educate their boating readers about an acrylic coating application, as opposed to older accepted methods of compounding and waxing.
Stephen E. Speer
President – Merchandise Resource