Glidecoat

PROTECTION SQUAD

Say goodbye to those unsightly soot stains around the exhaust areas and add a protective layer to enable easier cleaning and protect the paint surfaces

One of the most common issues among superyachts and larger vessels is the persistent buildup of exhaust soot. Not only is exhaust staining ugly to look at, making even the glossiest paint look unattractive, it is extremely difficult to clean. Diesel engines produce oily carbon based emissions which are the root cause of stubborn exhaust stains. This oily mixture can embed itself into the pores of the paint or gel coat, and even stick to any wax that has been applied to the surface. The only way to effectively remove these exhaust stains is to use a harsh degreaser, which chemically breaks down the oils, or to use a machine buffer with a compound/polish to remove the stains through abrasion. Both methods are time consuming and can be harmful to the paint or gelcoat.

Glidecoat developed a solution to this annoying problem. The solution is RPL, which stands for Repellent Protective Layer. RPL is a titanium dioxide infused top coating that is extremely oleophobic (resistant to oils), photocatalytic (self-cleaning), and hydrophilic. This combination of attributes is what makes RPL so effective at solving the problem of stubborn exhaust stains.

Once RPL is applied to the surface, that surface becomes extremely oleophobic, meaning it has a lack of affinity for oils. This key feature hinders the oily carbon-based emissions from adhering to the surface, allowing the stains to wipe away with ease With the use of Tio2 (titanium dioxide), RPL also makes the surface photocatalytic. Coated areas become self-cleaning. Tio2 is activated when exposed to natural light which allows the coating to chemically break down stains and contamination on the surface, reducing or eliminating the appearance of such stains.

RPL also creates a hydrophilic surface as opposed to a hydrophobic surface, meaning that it sheets water instead of beading water. This aids the self cleaning characteristics of the RPL coating by sheeting water that carries away dirt and contaminates, while also making the surface less prone to water spotting.

RPL is most effective when used in combination with Glidecoat’s innovative Marine Ceramic Coating, enabling residual soot to be simply wiped away with a cloth. But when used on bare or waxed paint or gelcoat, staining is still far easier to remove when RPL has been applied. This dramatically lowers maintenance time and costs, whether for the owner of a 35’ sportfisher doing the job himself or a crew detailing a 150’ megayacht.

Using Glidecoat RPL is straightforward for both the deckhands and professional marine detailer. The unique formula can be applied with a sprayer by lightly, but thoroughly, misting a 3’ x 3’ section. Or if by hand, a quarter-sized dollop is placed on a microfibre applicator and worked in an overlapping up-and-down, side-to-side pattern. The surface is then buffed with a clean microfibre cloth to remove any excess coating and achieve a uniform finish.

A 50ml bottle of Glidecoat RPL covers up to 110 sq. ft. and costs $99 USD; 250ml is $365 USD and covers up to 550 sq. Ft.

For more details Tel: +1 561-515-4536
or visit www.glidecoat.com

“The stern of the boat would be completely black after one charter, then we’d wash the boat which would remove maybe half of it, but we’d still have these smudgy black stains. I can’t tell you how happy I am about this product, which has made my life A LOT easier!”
RON OVERHOLT