[Rhodes22-list] Penetrol

[Brad Haslett]

Found this with a net search.  Scotchbrite pads are wonderful, that's
what I use on bare aluminum on da plane.  Brad

----------------

I wrote this article a while back - not specifically for Whalers but I
am sure parts will apply. As it gets older fiberglass dries out - wax
can only penetrate so deep, then you need to break out the secret
weapon. Here is the article...

After a lot of research I found out you can save old faded fiberglass
hulls. I've learned that even the most faded rough feeling ugly sun
burned hull can nearly always be saved - as long as the colors are in
the glass and not painted. The same restoration stuff (almost) that is
sold by dealers for a hundred bucks can be formulated at home for
under $20 (including scrub pads etc).
The Secret "They" Don't want you to know: A paint additive Penetrol
(about $8.00 a pint) is designed to soak into surfaces and "reliquify"
old dried out subsurfaces to make new paint soak in and adhere better.
It's also nearly the same "rust magic" stuff we used to pay a fortune
for a while back! It soaks right in starved fiberglass - taking years
off right before your eyes.
First you have to scrub the hull - really scrub not just wash. You
want all the old wax, mildew, stains, paint rubs, etc, etc, off. Those
cheap green pot scrubbing pads (Scotchbrite)in the kitchenware
department will do the trick. I also used some of that automotive
purple stuff cleaner (really strong) that runs about $5.00 a gallon in
auto stores (Walmart?) to get the mildew and years of grunge off the
hull. Then scrub again to be sure (you don't want to seal in stains!)
with plain ole Borax moistened with white vinegar paying close
attention to rub rails, marks, and stains. White surfaces can then be
brightened and cleaned with plain old bleach and water (3 or 4
tablespoons to a quart of water, wear gloves, don't wear good
clothes). Old numbers and stickers you don't want can be removed with
a heat gun on low or a hair dryer on high, remove remaining adhesive
with WD-40!
Once she is clean, real clean, eating off clean, then apply the
Penetrol to a cloth and wipe it on. Let the the first coat soak in
like you would Armour-All on tires (don't wipe it off. She might take
two or three passes to finally fully saturate dry fiberglass if she is
an oldie, be patient you are fixing years of abuse.
Once that is done you have to scrub again. You don't want the Penetrol
on the outside to remain as a dirt magnet, you are only interested in
keeping the Penetrol that has actually soaked into the fiberglass!
Once the excess Penetrol has been removed, it's time to put on a
couple of coats of high quality marine wax - a buffer will really save
your back and shoulders for fishing.
Now, if you were doing a high dollar bassboat or other expensive boat
with exposed metal flake on the top surfaces you would sand it smooth
with super fine grit (400-1000)sand paper then rub it out with waxless
rubbing compound and apply the Penetrol like above. Once she is clean
again finish up topside with an Emron clear coat (sprayed on) and
after it is fully cured, wax.
I cringe at the fine boats I have not bought for peanuts because I did
not know this. Even with Emron you are looking at less than $250 to
bring back a worthy boat. So there you have it, the secret is out!

On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 7:41 PM,  <R22RumRunner at aol.com> wrote:
> Brad,
> Penetrol works great. Surfaces need to be clean, wax free and dry and  the
> gel coat will look like new. I've only seen it used on the sides, never the  top
> decks.
>
> Rummy
>
>
> In a message dated 12/16/2008 7:46:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> flybrad at gmail.com writes:
>
> I know,  I know, this has probably been discussed in the archives but I
> want some  fresh thoughts.  A fellow approached me at the dock Saturday
> and was  explaining to his buddy how my boat had more interior room
> than any other  30 footer, yada, yada, yada.  He and I got in to a
> discussion of the  builder, Leon Slicker, and his reputation for gel
> coat quality.  I  apologized for the condition of mine (dirty, needing
> polished, etc) and he  suggested penetrol.  I've done some research on
> the net and found some  mixed responses.  What say  you?
>
> Brad
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