Friday, March 22, 2013

Boating Season’s Just Around the Corner (Part II)

By Captain John

As I mentioned in my last post (Part I), we’re bringing back the Boat Brite Polish – and when paired-up with the YachtShine Phenomenon, you’ll achieve a brilliant and long-lasting shine and protection. I’ve named this dynamic duo, the Ultimate Finish.



First and foremost is the way the Boat Brite Polish is applied. Wet. Yes that’s right, as in wet from water. And the grand finale is delivered by the YachtShine Phenomenon.

Think back to the last time you polished or waxed your boat. Perhaps it was last spring or maybe even last Fall before being tucked away for winter. Usually we start by washing the boat with soap and water if water is available or a spray and wipe cleaner. Then it’s time to put a coat of wax or polish on. If you’re like me I’ve always started the application with a new applicator – usually it’s a white terry-cloth wrapped sponge.

The Ultimate Finish for Boat Cleaning and Protection
The Ultimate Finish! Learn More »
So then we take a dab or squirt and begin the process that will hopefully have us standing back and admiring the beautiful shine.

I usually start at the starboard aft corner and work my way forward. Maybe two or three feet from where I started I need to reload the applicator – but something is different about the applicator. When I started it was white, right? Why the heck is it sort of a light brown now. I mean I washed the boat right? Weird…but on with the show.  And in a few minutes another reload and now the applicator is no longer light brown - it’s brown! What’s causing the applicator to get brown? Dirt.

In the microscopic pores of the gelcoat or paint there’s dirt that our washing didn’t get. And because all polish or wax products have mild cleaning agents in their formulation, and these along with the pressure on the applicator, are extracting the imbedded dirt and your applicator has collected it.

So, let’s say you have a twenty or thirty or maybe a forty foot boat – except for the first couple of feet where you started, the collected dirt is getting ground back into your gelcoat or paint. And if you’re grinding 20, 30 or 40 feet of collected dirt back into your boat – it just ain’t gonna look as good as it should.

Applying the Boat Brite Polish is different.
  • So, rewind to the start of the process but add a bucket of fresh water.
  • Take the same white applicator and submerge it into the bucket of water.
  • Bring it out and squeeze the excess water and put a squirt of the polish onto the wet applicator and apply to your boat. I like straight strokes but circles work just as well. Be sure to put light pressure on the applicator to extract the deeply imbedded dirt from the porosity.
  • Now, before you reload with a new squirt of polish, first submerge the applicator back into the bucket of water, swish it around to release the captured dirt, pull it out, squeeze out the excess water, reload and apply.
  • Follow this process all the way around your boat. (FYI… I would suggest wearing rubber gloves because washing the polish from your hands is really difficult, and don’t use your favorite bucket because it will be a mess when you’re done.)
Now let the polish dry.

Depending on the size of your boat and your climate, where you started may already be dry. You can test to see by wiping off the polish with a clean, dry terrycloth towel. If it wipes off easily you can proceed but if it is not real easy let it continue to dry. When it has dried, lightly buff your boat with the terrycloth towel (rotate the towel often and “snap it” to get rid of the polish dust). Then stand back and admire your efforts.

And then… drum roll please… break out the YachtShine Phenomenon. What!!??, you say – or was that your rotator cuff? Don’t worry, the grand finale – the Phenomenon application – is a piece of cake, a walk in the park; it’s like throwing a medicine ball a hundred times and then throwing a wiffle ball, when compared to the polish application that you did so well and with epic results.

Honestly, the Phenomenon application is like washing a window…simply spray the Phenomenon, using a clean microfiber cloth spread it as far as it will go and then with another clean and dry microfiber towel, go back and wipe it dry.

Your boat has officially been to the spa and emerged with the Ultimate Finish!!



My next entry will be about the YachtShine Phenomenon. You will be amazed at how many different surfaces it can be applied to – all with stunning results.

In the meantime, let me hear your boat polishing stories, or feel free to submit questions or comments below!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Boating Season’s Just Around the Corner (Part I)

By Captain John

OMG and Hallelujah, let the trumpets resound the joy of knowing that FEBRUARY IS OVER!!!!!!!!!

Whew, I’m glad I got that off my chest – it’s been bugging me ever since the Super Bowl ended!

Alrighty then, it’s time to talk shop.

The boats have been sitting on the yard for sometime now and depending on where you’re from will determine the chill factor that your gelcoat has assumed. My poor boat is muttering profanities at any rumor of global warming – poor girl has been looking at hard water – as in frozen – long enough, and she longs to have her finely tailored blue zoot suit (aka shrink wrap) removed.

She wants to take a deep breath of fresh spring air. I reckon she feels like the Tin Man when he squeaked for a shot of penetrating oil.

And when the day comes and the air is filled with the hum of buffing wheels and seeing dock buddies yelling “Hey man, how’s your winter been?” and of course the “pssst!” sound of a freshly cracked cold-one, we boaters know it’s finally boating season 2013!! YAY!!!

Do you have any projects planned to spruce up your boat this season?

This year I’ve arranged to have available a few of my associates who are very savvy at various aspects of boat improvement. There’s a paint & gelcoat specialist, a canvas and upholstery tradesman, and a marine electronics specialist, too. So, don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.

As for surface care, I’m your go-to guy! And if you recall from our email newsletter last month, I mentioned that we have a surprise...

For those of you who have been Captain John’s Boat Brite & Yacht Shine customers over the years you’ll likely recall our Boat Brite Polish. Well, we’re bringing it back – but with a twist. The polish has a new best friend… the YachtShine Phenomenon. (Did you get your free sample with promo code PHENOM at checkout? There’s still time!)

I’ll share the application technique of this dynamic duo in Part II of this blog post, and it will also be available on www.boatbrite.com at that time. Don't worry, it won't be long.

But for now, the stage is yours. We’re standing by to help you get your boat outfitted, looking her best and ready to splash. All inquiries will be answered by either myself or by one of the professionals mentioned above in a very timely manner. So, give us a call toll-free at 1-877-BOAT-BRI, or send your questions through our contact page, and we’ll email or call you back.