Hey Mike - sealants on Awlgrip?

[glen e]

believe it or not I am painting a spoiler on my camaro with awlgrip as it looks like powdercoat perfectly. I refuse to buy the products from awlgrip for mainteneace...there has got to be some of the new sealers I have that work - like Blackfire and Prima - any advice?

[Mike Phillips]

believe it or not I am painting a spoiler on my Camaro with Awlgrip as it looks like powdercoat perfectly. I refuse to buy the products from Awlgrip for mainteneace...there has got to be some of the new sealers I have that work - like Blackfire and Prima - any advice?


Hi Glen,

I red about your new toy! :xyxthumbs:


As you know the manufacturer of Awlgrip only recommend their products and states to never use any type of abrasive compound, polish or cleaner/wax on their coating as this can damage the outer skin of the paint which will then lead to accelerated deterioration and eventually a re-paint.

From my understanding, there are very hard solids in the Awlgrip paint formulation that migrate to the surface creating a shell so to speak. The last thing you want to do is break through this shell.

Kind of reminds me of PPG Ceramiclear paints and I explain how these work in this article,


Ceramiclear Paints - Be Careful (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/47152-ceramiclear-paints-careful.html)



The above all said, as far as "sealing" the surface, I would think that any reputable brand of non-abrasive, non-cleaning paint sealant, coating or wax would be completely safe to use on Awlgrip.

As far as specific and actual magic chemistry that causes one type of protection ingredients to "bond" to one type of resin formula, (paint), over any other type of resin formula, while I'm sure this could exist I also know that most really good chemists make their protection products to bond, stick adhere, crosslink, (whatever term a person likes), to a wide spectrum of coatings.


I know you have some favorite non-cleaning sealants that you already like so I'd say, in sticking with this philosophy,

"Find something you like and use it often"


I'd suggest trying and using something you're already happy with.


On a recent episode of Ship Shape TV we covered waxing Awlgrip paint and for this I used Marine 31 Gel-Coat Carnauba Wax + Sealant and I applied it using a Flex 3401 and a blue foam CCS waxing pad.


New Episode on Ship Shape - Tips for waxing your boat! (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86)


After the show
After the segment was filmed, we turned the boat around and I completely machine waxed the entire exterior as we only did s spot for the show. Now she's gleaming like she did when she was brand new.

20' Albury Brother's Center Console with Awlgrip Paint
http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/519/Carnauba_Wax_Albury_Brothers_014.jpg



There's definitely a need for good information in the boat detailing world.


:)

[glen e]

Thanks Mike - I'll try my fav's - UPGP and BF CS and let you know...the awlgrip is great - I have never seen a surface without clear be so hard and uniform..it looks great - pics later on the car:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/image-4.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/image-4.jpg.html)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/photo4-5.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/photo4-5.jpg.html)

[Mike Phillips]

pics later on the car:
[/URL]

[URL="http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/photo4-5.jpg.html"] (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/image-4.jpg.html)


Looking forward to them already...


:)

[glen e]

Here ya go bud - the mix is not regular awlgrip - it is a matte awlgrip 4 part mix - very neat - looks identical to powdercoat
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/uploads/null-1622.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/uploads/null-1622.jpg.html)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/uploads/null-2117.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/uploads/null-2117.jpg.html)

[ihaveacamaro]

Your camaro looks better and better!

[glen e]

thank you sir!

the spoiler was meant to match these powdercoated Hex vents:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/uploads/photo4.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/gersly123/media/uploads/photo4.jpg.html)

[erichaley]

Now that's a good looking car!!

[glen e]

All is good - Blackfire WDAFPP worked perfectly....

[Theraven]

That's one sick looking Camaro!

[sproketser]

That's one sick looking Camaro!


+ 1 mate !

[Theraven]

Some of the LP's like Awlgrip be very sensitive, in the marine environment. They recommend no abrasive polishes, not even wax,( they say it can yellow the finish). No acids, even metal polish. More info here: http://www.awlgrip.com/support-and-advice/topcoat-maintenance.aspx. Once the shell has been Compromised by , buffing,solvents,cleaners, or any friction. There's really no way to resore the gloss besides reprinting it. I know there are topside paints that u can polish, and are less affected by cleaners @ solvents ect... I've maintained some boats that use Imron paint and they hold up extremely well and they are polish able.

[Mike Phillips]

Wow Glen! That really looks great!






Some of the LP's like Awlgrip be very sensitive, in the marine environment.

They recommend no abrasive polishes, not even wax,( they say it can yellow the finish). No acids, even metal polish.



That is correct.

I found these pictures that are supposed to show what it looks like when you buff through the outer shell of Awlgrip Paint.



http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/521/AwlGrip_Paint.jpg



Here's I've drawn a yellow line around the compromised area to make it easier to see...


http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/521/AwlGrip_Paint_Compromised.JPG



So if you're working on Awlgrip or if you're going to pay someone to buff out your boat, make sure everyone is up to speed on the correct products for this type of coating.



:)

[Theraven]

I've seen that same picture on the "sailnet" fourms". Would be nice if the factory would leave a Stamp somewhere of the paint type. Most owners I've talked to have no clue what the boats painted with, unless it was recently done. I've seen a lot of owners and contractors painting with Awlgrip and interlux. Is there a way to tell if a boats been painted, only way I can tell is by checking the lines by the non-skid and other joints. Some boat are obvious others some are hard to tell