Penetrol

[2953]

Local West Marine suggested a product called "Penetrol" to brighten a dull/faded fiberglass hull.  Web search suggests this is more a paint thinner than a surface restorer.  Anyone with experience with this product?  Alternatively, looking for suggestions to brighten the hull of a 2004 SO 35.

[Charlie-Bravo]

Hello, not seen that product, but there are hundreds of products out there.  it does depend on the state of the gel coat and what the dirt is as to how tackle it and what products to use.
a yellowing especially near the waterline can be removed with a dilute oxalic acid, many boat hull cleaning products are based on this, and then a good fine cutting paste like 3M finnesit removes a surface layer of gel .... very thin, along with grime, and makes it shine, then a wax or polymer polish to protect the surface.
Things gone green can be tackled with a non caustic patio cleaner, I use patio magic .... but it may not be available where you are.


Gel coat is full of microscopic holes into which microbes and bacteria hide ,  they then die, and their little bodies make the boat look dirty, so polishing with wax etc fills lots of the little holes, and the acid wash dissolves them and to some extent bleaches the bodies that refuse to dissolve, ........ and all the general pollution found in rain will stain as well, boat washing is part of the hobby.

Happy polishing
CB

[ForGrinsToo]

"Penetrol" is made by CW Flood as a paint additive "to assist in the flow and adhesion of oil-based paints." The marketing stuff says it "restores luster to faded, weathered fiberglass." And if you choose that route, you'll likely get a far better price at your favorite big-box DIY store. Like any coating, it weathers. Eventually, it will need to be removed. But Penetrol does have its fans if you look at Cruisers Forum or The Hull Truth, among many.

So it's a coating that some say lasts months to years on fiberglass, renewing the gel coat gloss. I'm sure surface prep is key, as always. As long as I'm doing that, I'll stick with the annual rubbing compound and wax routine until it's time to Awl-Grip.

I'll be interested to see if anyone reports a long-term good experience with the product.

Geoff