GatorGlide
After sanding with 100 - 150 grit and wiping thoroughly with acetone. New aluminum I recommend degreasing with a degreasing agent. I advise applying the slick bottom in multiple thin coats using a 6" inch X 3/8" to 1/2" nap roller (see pic below) I also like working out of a 2 gal bucket with a 1 gal paint grid. See mixing video. Five coats are ideal, First mix part "A" thoroughly with a high shear mixer or by shacking vigorously . Then you can mix as much as you can use in an hour. (Example: if you are using 1/4 of Part "A" then use 1/4 of Part "B"). When you open the bucket mark the outside at the top level then mark half, quarter and so on, do the same with the catalyst (part B) The drying time between coats will vary depending on humidity but typically takes 20-30 minutes between coats. Throw your roller in the pot and throw a rag over it between coat (Do Not apply at night or while it raining even in your shop.) This is a water born product and needs to dry between coats. You have about a 60 min pot life, so mix accordingly. GatorGlide will fish eye or separate when you are applying the first coat. It's going to fisheye like you're painting a waxed hood. That's just how it is, after you roll the second section and before dipping your roller for the third go back and dry-roll the first section with the same roller. Do this on each coat. You will see it start to tighten up; This is completely normal! It will tighten up on the second and third coat. I know it looks weird but its how the stuff works. Depending on how porous the surface is will determine how much it fisheyes. Wait for it to dry (about 20-30 min) to the touch and start your next coat. "THIN TO WIN" I can't stress this enough THIN COATS if you can put the same amount on in 3 coats or 5 coats go 5 it will be a better job. All coats should be done back to back so the integrate. Takes two hrs. to complete the job! Do Not apply at night, in direct sunlight or while raining. You will lose performance! Please never hesitate to call me to discuss the application, mixing tips or if you just want to bounce idea off of me. The longer it sits before you run it the harder it gets. We ship most of all orders within two business day from the date received. Most orders in the 48 states are received by our customers in 5 to 7 business days via standard delivery. ALL PROCESSING AND DELIVERY TIMES ARE BASED ON BUSINESS DAYS, THIS EXCLUDES WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.
The three woes in GatorGlide. Don't apply in or during the rain or at night.( Paint does not dry properly under these conditions... no product does) Don't apply in the direct sun. (if you did flip your boat on the trailer it is ok to roll into the sun between coats, then give about three minutes to cool before applying next coat) Don't apply to thick of a coat. (go back read the instructions...with your glasses and without the bear) Thin to win!
Q: What the difference between G2 and G4? A: G2 is about 10% slicker and the G4 is about 10% more abrasion resistant! I recommend G2 for most mud and outboard boats, G4 for airboats that run a lot of dry ground. (I run the G2 on my airboat) “FR” or “Fouling Release” is for boats that stay in the fresh water more than out. It is easier to clean than the “Standard”. However if you trailer your boat you will want the Standard . If you want the Fouling release please ask for it under special instruction when checking out of the online store.
GatorBase + GatorGlide app
After sanding with 100 - 150 grit and wiping thoroughly with acetone you are ready to apply the GatorBase. (New aluminum I recommend degreasing with a degreasing agent "first"). Before starting GatorBase(GB) or GatorGlide(GG) mix part "A" thoroughly with a high shear mixer or shaking part A vigorously. GatorBase: Four or Five "thin" coats is ideal, You can mix as much as can use in an hour. When you open the bucket mark the outside at the top level then mark half, quarter and so on and do the same with the catalyst and mix accordingly.(example: if you are using 1/4 of Part "A" then use 1/4 of Part "B"). Give the GatorBase 72 hrs. to dry before applying the GatorGlide. Once the GB has cured out, you're ready to start the GG Give the surface a light scuff with either 220 grit paper or a Scotch Brite pad and wipe well with acetone. You are just taking the shine off the GB and letting the acetone in. Apply both GatorBase and GatorGlide in multiple thin coats using a 6" inch X 3/8"
Do Not apply at night, in direct sunlight or while raining. You will lose performance!
We have a “Fresh water fouling release” AKA "FR" we now offer. This means it helps with bottom growth on boats that stay in the fresh water. It does not prevent all growth but slows it down and if applied correctly it will help with cleaning the growth off. If you trailer your boat I recommend the "standard" it is slicker.
Trailer Bunks or Boards!
A lot of guys (including me) use GG on their trailer. Not only does it make for easy loading and unloading but greatly reduces wear on the bottom of the boat during hauling from ramp to home, especially on flat bottom boats. While tailoring your bunk boards become an orbital sander (so to speak), the kinetics energy caused from bumps or roughness in the road will cause wear at the point your boat rest on the bunks. I don't care how tight you tie it down.
PT wood
I’m not crazy for PT on boat trailers, especially with aluminum boats. Once you get through that factory paint job (and you will) or the bottom may not even be painted. Even if you think it’s painted it is hard to see the bottom where the bunks ride…because it’s covered by the bunks! There are a few things that can be happening to that bare metal/aluminum. 1. Electrolysis (whether it is on-board from your battery charger or exterior force) may be eating where there is no more coating. 2. Corrosion due the pressure treatment in the wood, salt or other. If you don’t have carpet or plastic holding moister on your board! You don’t need/ want PT (in my humble opinion) but you do want GatorGlide!
More Trailer Ideas
It’s important that your bunks come to or past your transom. Otherwise you can hook your hull ( hook is dent at the stern that creates lift therefore driving your bow into the water and killing performance). “Also” if your bunks stick about 5 inches past your stern/transom you can place a 2 x 4 (1.5” x 3.5”) block on top of your bunk using a carriage bolt or other. This will allow you to drive your boat on the trailer until you feel the stern drop over the block, slide back and touch the block, stopping the boat from coming back off the trailer. You can now shut down, hook your bow and pull your boat off the ramp and get the “heck” out of the way. (Don’t be that guy who camps on the ramp!). When launching you simply back in until the boat floats over the block. It’s that easy, safe, smart and very effective when using GatorGlide. The picture shows a removable roller setup on my airboat trailer. I have the same setup for my mudboat. Very nice, very effective, It set ½ a roller height above the bunks.
