CutwaterRecently at the Miami Boat Show we had the opportunity to coat a brand new 30 Foot Cutwater for Pocket Yacht.

The boat was delivered to the Boat Show staging area directly from the factory near Seattle, Washington.

Although the boat had been shrink wrapped for its cross-country trip it still needed a good wash prior to coating. With that, we used Glidecoat’s Nano Wash to first wash the hull. The soap has minimal abrasives, yet a high foam content which helps to remove dirt and grim on the boat’s gelcoat.

Once the hull was completely washed and dried, we then applied Glidecoat Surface Wipe which is a decontaminate to further remove any other contaminates on the surface. This is done by just spraying Surface Wipe on a clean microfiber towel and wiping down the surface.

Prior to coating the boat, but after washing and applying decontaminate we used a 60 Degree Gloss Meter to take readings of the hull. The average reading was 82, which is in line for new Gelcoat, which typically is 82-85.

Granted the staging area was not the best place to be applying the coating given the dust, but our applicator took his time, applying the coating to a 2-foot by 2-foot area at a time and lightly buffing after application.

Coating the hull took about 2 hours and after completion a second coat was applied.

The following day the boat was moved to its slip in the show and 2 days later with the boat now in the water we coated the topsides of the boat.

The process was the same, applying a small amount of Glidecoat to the application sponge and then applying to a 2-foot by 2-foot area and lightly buffing with a clean Microfiber cloth. Two coats were applied.

After curing 24 hours, we tested the surface with the Gloss Meter and the average reading was 94 improving the gloss and shine by more than 15% from factory new.

Best of all though, is the minimal maintenance required to maintain that gloss and shine but also minimize UV damage on this beautiful boat. The surface is now hydrophobic so salt, dirt, bird droppings won’t stick and will easily wash off and best of all – no waxing needed.

Given the coating lasts 2 years here in South Florida and the product does not need to be removed but can be applied over top, protecting the boat makes good financial sense.

The boat sold at the show and undoubtedly it was the fact that it had been Glidecoated was the major contributing factor, at least we’d like to think so.

Gloss meter reading before applying the Glidecoat Top Coating

before

Gloss meter reading after applying the Glidecoat Top Coating 

Gloss meter reading after applying Glidecoat Top Coating

Gloss meter reading after applying Glidecoat Top Coating