There’s no better feeling than getting behind the wheel of a brand-new, gleaming boat or RV. Problem is, that factory-floor shine tends to fade after a few adventures. You may start to notice the exterior getting dull, faded and more prone to staining.
That’s where waxes, polishes and ceramic coatings come in. Choosing the right product can help you restore your boat or RV to its former glory, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons of various options.
Read on to discover howPoli Glow® compares to traditional ceramic coatings and waxes so you can make the best choice for your ride.
Table of Contents
4. Maintenance and Cost Effectiveness
6. Brilliant Shine With Less Cash and Less Time
What Is Poli Glow®?
Poli Glow® is a water-based polish and fiberglass restoration solution for boats and RVs. It penetrates and seals the gelcoat, creating a protective barrier against oxidation, dirt, moisture, and damaging UV radiation.
Not to mention, Poli Glow® gives your vehicle a brilliant, high-gloss shine that’s sure to turn heads when you pull into the marina or campground. It’s extremely simple to apply and lasts for years with proper maintenance.
A lot goes into picking a restoration product for your boat or RV. Performance, durability, ease of application, cost, maintenance needs and environmental impact are a few key factors to consider. As proud owners, we’ve tried nearly everything on the market, and we’re confident that our Poli Glow® Polish for boats and RVs leads the pack in all of these areas.
Performance and Durability
Waxes, ceramic coatings, and polishes all have the same basic job: to restore and protect your boat or RV. But when it comes to performance and durability, not all products are created equal. Let’s break it down.
For a long time, traditional waxes were the go-to sealant for both boats and RVs (as well as cars). Carnauba wax is a popular choice, and today there are many synthetic options available on the market as well.
Wax sits on top of the gelcoat or paint, creating a temporary protective layer. It enhances shine and provides some defense against environmental damage.
However, since wax doesn’t adhere well to the surface of the boat or RV it tends to degrade very quickly. Wear and tear, salt, dirt, and temperature extremes can all strip or melt the wax layer. If you choose to go this route, it’s essential to commit to frequent reapplication (every few months, and more often in harsh conditions).
A more modern option is ceramic coating for boats and RVs. This is a liquid polymer that “cures” when applied to a surface, creating a chemical bond with the gelcoat.
Ceramic protectants are more durable than waxes and effectively guard against UV rays, oxidation, corrosion and stains. They also create a slick, glossy finish. While ceramic coating requires a major up-front financial and time investment, it can last for several years with proper care.
Poli Glow® offers a high-performance alternative for DIYer boat and RV owners. This proprietary boat polish binds tightly to your vehicle’s gelcoat (similar to a ceramic coating) for superior protection against oxidation, dirt, oil, UV rays, and more.
It also repels moisture and prevents water spots, stains and other damage. Poli Glow’s state-of-the-art formula delivers a mirror-like shine that lasts for years with minimal annual maintenance.
Ease of Application
One thing’s for sure: you didn’t buy a boat or RV to spend your weekends buffing and polishing! At Poli Glow®, we’re all about simplifying those maintenance tasks so you can get back out on the water or the open road. Here’s how the Poli Glow® application process compares to those of other sealants.
Applying spray-on wax to boats and RVs
Waxing a boat or RV is a straightforward (if somewhat tedious) process. Start with a clean, dry vehicle in good condition. If the vehicle has any oxidation, that oxidation must be removed first. Apply your desired wax to a microfiber cloth and rub it into the surface in small circular motions. (You can also use an electric polisher for this step.)
Once the wax has dried, grab a soft towel or clean microfiber cloth and start buffing! For a shiny finish, you’ll need to rub the towel in circular motions over the entire surface area to remove excess wax and amplify shine. When your boat or RV has an all-over shiny finish, you’re good to go.
Applying a ceramic coating to boats and RVs
Okay, here’s the bad news about ceramic coating application– unless you’re a professional, you probably don’t want to attempt it yourself. Ceramic coating requires meticulous surface preparation and several rounds of precisely timed product application.
If you don’t nail the timing, you risk ending up with an uneven application and unsightly bare patches. For this reason, it’s best to hire an experienced pro. You can expect to pay around $50 to $100 per linear foot for a boat and $30 to $50 per linear foot for an RV. It ain’t cheap.
Applying Poli Glow® to boats and RVs
Poli Glow® is a polish and wax alternative that is extremely simple and quick to apply. No buffing or expensive professional detailer needed!
Before applying Poli Glow®, you need to prepare the surface by removing any oxidation that has built up—just like you would if you were using a wax or ceramic. One your surface is prepared, all you have to do is apply Poli Glow® to thePoli-Mitt Applicator™ and wipe it onto your clean boat or RV in straight strokes (not circles).
Apply 6-12 thin coats, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly between applications (about 1-2 minutes).Use this chart to determine how many coats you need for your first application.
Let your vehicle cure for 48 hours, then go forth and adventure on!
Maintenance and Cost Effectiveness
When it comes to budgeting for boat or RV maintenance, it’s important to consider both up-front costs and the need for routine touch-ups. Sometimes the “cheapest” option is actually more expensive in the long run due to frequent reapplications. Here’s how waxes, ceramics, and Poli Glow® stack up.
Waxing is a budget-friendly DIY option. Products vary in cost, but you can expect to pay less than $50 for a large bottle of boat or RV wax. (Avoid using generic automotive waxes on your boat or RV– you want a targeted product that’s made for your specific vehicle.) You may also need to invest in a few non-consumable supplies such as microfiber cloths, towels, and possibly an electric polisher or buffer.
Some owners choose to have their vehicles waxed as part of a professional RV or marine detail, but it’s not strictly necessary. This is a job you can easily handle yourself. The problem with traditional waxes is that they don’t last very long, which means you can expect to have to set aside an afternoon to re-do the wax every 3-4 months.
Ceramics have a much higher up-front cost– from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for a professional application, depending on the size and condition of your vehicle. (For a midsize boat or RV in good condition, you’re probably looking at the middle of that price range.)
However, once installed, a ceramic coating typically lasts for 2-5 years with minimal maintenance. To keep the coating in peak condition, plan to wash your boat or RV regularly, apply a spray-on protectant every few months and schedule annual inspections with your professional.
Poli Glow® combines the best of both worlds– the budget-friendly price point and easy application of waxes with the longevity of ceramics. For the price of two bottles of wax, it restores the gelcoat and creates a deep, high-gloss shine.
It requires some elbow grease up front, but if you do the first application properly Poli Glow® can last for 5-6 years with an annual touch-up. Over the long term, it’s the most cost-effective option for boat and RV owners since it doesn’t require frequent maintenance and extends the life of your vehicle’s surfaces.
Environmental Impact
Owning a boat or RV is a serious responsibility, which includes protecting the lands and waters that provide us with recreation. We all want our vessels and rigs to look brand new, but that shouldn’t mean trashing the local environment.
Marine waxes in particular pose a threat to nature, since waxes can easily slough off the boat’s surface and end up in the water. For RVs, harsh weather conditions may strip the wax layer, leaving behind chemical residues at campsites or polluting water runoff. Not good.
Ceramic coatings and Poli Glow® bond to the boat or RV’s gelcoat so there’s no risk of the product being washed away.
Poli Glow® uses a water-based formula with acrylic polymers and UV inhibitors to protect your vehicle. It’s designed to adhere securely to your boat or RV until your next full restoration job, making it a safer option for your family and the environment.
Brilliant Shine With Less Cash and Less Time
Your boat or RV isn’t just a big investment– it’s your ticket to freedom, your home away from home, and your pride and joy. Restoring and protecting the fiberglass gelcoat is an essential part of maintaining your ride in peak condition for many years to come.
Here at Poli Glow®, we’re all about streamlining the process for owners so you can make your boat or RV look “like new” again and get back to doing what you love.
We’ve designed an environmentally-friendly, water-based polish that’s easy to apply, powerfully effective and long-lasting. No buffing, no compounding, no jaw-dropping invoices. Just wipe the product onto a properly prepared surface and allow it to cure for 48 hours. It’s that simple!
Poli Glow® permeates your boat or RV’s gelcoat, creating a protective seal against contaminants, moisture, UV radiation and dirt. It outshines every other product on the market (literally– the gleaming Poli Glow® finish is sure to attract compliments wherever you go).
Fair warning– if you love the process of waxing or enjoy dropping big bucks on professional ceramic treatments, this product might not be for you.
But if you want the best possible results without the expense and hassle, give Poli Glow® a try for your next RV or boat restoration project.
