Polytrol is a deep penetrating oil which restores the original colour and appearance of dull or tarnished plastics, gelcoats, metals, and other surfaces.
It penetrates the surface, re-wetting the pigments to restore their lustre and colour which has been lost through exposure to sunlight, rain, and pollution and it also gives corrosion protection. Â When used on tarnished metals, it brings back the shine and gives long-term protection against corrosion.
Simple to apply using a cloth or soft brush, it’s ready to wipe off in just 10 minutes! It can be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces and can even be used on fibreglass (GRP). Polytrol dries to a tough and long-lasting flexible finish which does not leave a film – so it won’t peel or flake.
Polytrol is now available in a handy 250ml spray can, great for quick application and difficult to reach areas. Please see the directions for use to find out how to apply it.
Ideal Uses for Polytrol Colour Restorer
- Brightening faded car bumpers
- Reviving the gelcoat on your boat
- Restoring the shine to metal fixtures
- Rejuvenating flat or chalky paint dulled by weathering
- Brightening the surface of tiles in stone, terracotta, marble, slate, etc.
- Reviving the colour of faded garage doors
Restrictions
DO NOT use Polytrol on white surfaces, it will not work as Polytrol is designed to restore pigments.
Surface Preparation
All surfaces must be clean, dry and free of dirt, grease, grime and mildew. All waxes, polishes, silicone etc. should be completely and thoroughly removed. Treat any mildew with a 50:50 bleach and water solution. Scrub the solution on to the surface and allow it to stand for 10-15 minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Using Polytrol on plastic, gelcoat, tiles, painted surfaces etc.
Clean the surface with warm soapy water or Net-Trol, rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry for a minimum of 24 hours depending on the surface.
Using Polytrol on stone, brick, etc.
Clean the surface with Net-Trol, rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry for a minimum of 24 hours depending on the surface.
Using Polytrol on metal
Clean the surface with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly or use an appropriate solvent (follow manufacturer’s instructions). Leave the surface to dry for a minimum of 24 hours.
Application of Polytrol Colour Restorer
General directions
Always work in areas that can be completed 10-20 minutes to ensure an even appearance. If the surface absorbs the Polytrol unevenly (i.e. some matt and some shiny patches) move any surplus oil from shiny areas to matt areas. Wipe off any excess Polytrol with a lint-free cloth before it becomes tacky. For a shinier finish, buff the surface with a lint-free polishing cloth.
When using the Polytrol 250ml spray can, simply spray on liberally, wipe off any excess and leave to dry.
Applying Polytrol to plastic, gelcoat, tiles, painted surfaces etc.
Apply Polytrol liberally and evenly with a brush or cloth. Allow it to work for 10-20 minutes. Wipe off any excess with a clean lint-free cloth. Leave it to dry.
Applying Polytrol to stone, brick, etc.
Apply Polytrol liberally and evenly with a brush or cloth and leave it to work for 10-20 minutes. Brush out or wipe off any excess Polytrol with a clean lint-free cloth. Leave it to dry.
Applying Polytrol to metal
Apply Polytrol using a fine wire wool (000 grade) soaked in Polytrol and allow it to work for 10-20 minutes. Wipe off any excess Polytrol with a clean lint-free cloth. Leave to dry.
Note: Polytrol is not a surface coating. Its place is in the surface, not on top.
Maintenance
Maintenance is due when a Polytrol treated surfaces shows signs of fading. Prepare and re-treat surfaces as directed above.
Clean Up
Clean any tools used with white spirit. Polytrol is non-flammable, however any rags, steel wool etc. soaked in Polytrol may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Rags, steel wool etc must be saturated with water after use or placed in a sealed, water-filled metal container, before disposing of them with household waste. Rags may be laid flat and air-dried before discarding.
Things to Remember
- Cover and protect everything you do not wish to treat.
- Apply between +5°C and +35°C.
- Do not apply in direct sunlight or on to hot surfaces.
- Do not allow excess Polytrol to dry and create a film on the surface (always remove excess product).
- Do not use Polytrol on white surfaces.
Steve wright –
Verified Owner
Not very impressed
Bought for a customers front door, showed them the wonderful literature and thought it would be great. Applied using the instructions and nothing, no diffence just the same.
Made me look a bit stupid
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Steve,
We’re sorry to hear you had a poor experience with Polytrol.
If the surface was properly prepared, cleaned and dry before application, it is possible that the pigments are so damaged that they are just too far gone to be restored. As such, no amount of Polytrol (or any other colour restoring product) will be able to bring them back. It is fairly rare but unfortunately does happen on occassion.
For surfaces such as these, we always suggest purchasing a small 125ml pot to test it out first.
Hopefully you can put the Polytrol to use on another surface that isn’t quite as damaged.
All the best,
The Owatrol Team
Susan Adams –
Verified Owner
Applied one coat today with a brush then after 20 minutes wiped. I can still see the lines running down from letterbox and the darker bits down at bottom. I’ll leave it for the 24hours & add another coat see if it hides the flaws. Door only 5 years old, company said warranty for door colour only 5 years & manufacturer said because I used hot soapy water twice the fading etc was my fault 😡 so wouldn’t do anything. The door looks nice & shiny but really hope I can stop seeing the flaw when I do another coat.
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Susan,
Thank you for your positive review of Polytrol after using it on your door.
We’re sorry to hear about the difficulty you faced with the manufacturer – this is unfortunately something we hear far too often, so we hope that Polytrol has been able to return it to a satisfactory condition for you 🙂
All the best,
The Owatrol Team
elizabeth boyle –
Verified Owner
So far so excellent, and that is after only one coat. The sills look great already and I am looking forward to seeing them after two coats. Thanks Owatrol, I will probably be back when I check what else I can use it on.
Louise Drinkwater –
Verified Owner
I was so impressed with this product. Our composite front door was looking tired and faded, but after using this it looks like new. I would thoroughly recommend.
Iain –
What a great find! Originally used the gelcoat on my narrowboat which had lost its shine. Product work brilliantly initially then I got a wee bit too complacent and forgot to buff the final part of the boat – so it was on for over an hour before I buffed it. My bad as this part of the boat wasn’t as good as the earlier part which I had buffed after 15 mins.
Decided to then try the gelcoat on my cast aluminium garden furniture and what a brilliant outcome!! I remembered to buff the furniture in good time and the old grey chairs and table have come up a treat. Very pleased.
I would like to try the most appropriate Owatrol product on some lacklustre limestone paving slabs so I’d be grateful for any steers and advice on what product would be best to try (colour restorer?). many thanks once again.
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Iain,
Thank you for your positive review of Polytrol! We’re happy to hear how well it worked on both your narrowboat and garden furniture 🙂
Limestone is an alkaline and acid-sensitive stone. Unfortunately, we don’t really have anything in our range that would be suitable and as such, we recommend that you speak with a limestone or paving specialist for advice.
Thanks again for the review of Polytrol and best of luck with your limestone paving slabs.
All the best,
Rebecca
Ladyfromchester –
Verified Owner
Used Polytrol on my cast aluminium garden furniture which had faded to grey after 10 years in the sun.
I am pleased to say the furniture is back to its lovely bronze finish. It has absorbed the oil over a week or so, going from extremely shiny towards the original matte finish.
Very economical to use, 125ml did Bistro set and I used another 700ml approx on 6 chairs and large table.
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Lady,
Thank you for your kind review and feedback on Owatrol Polytrol – we’re very happy to hear how well it worked for you on your cast aluminium garden furniture.
It’s looking good as new and will hopefully last at least another 10 years! 🙂
All the best,
The Owatrol Team
Geoff Page –
Verified Owner
I’ve used Owatrol paint conditioner on a narrowboat and expected great things from the colour restorer. First off the tag holding the paint expanding spout broke off and needed pliers to pull up and subsequent sticking a hole into it in order to use the product. As for the product itself was easy to apply but looks as though it was painted. I thought the product would be absorbent. It all looked is OK but I’m not convinced yet. Let’s get some weather on it for a final judgment.
Sort out the pull out funnel would help.
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Geoff,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback of Polytrol.
It is most unfortunate that the pull up spout broke for you – after 9 years this is honestly my first time of hearing this happen, so apologies you had that experience.
We’re pleased to hear that you found Polytrol easy to apply. We were interested to read your comment regarding the “painted” appearance, as this is not typically the finish that Polytrol is designed to produce.
Unlike paints, varnishes or other surface coatings, Polytrol works by penetrating into the material to restore colour from within, rather than forming a film on the surface. When applied correctly, the finish should look natural rather than coated.
A ‘painted’ or surface-coated appearance can sometimes occur if there are contaminants, previous treatments, or residues on the substrate that prevent the product from being able to penetrate fully. It can also happen if any excess product is not wiped away after the recommended working time, as Polytrol should not be left to dry on the surface.
For best results, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned (as well as dried) and free from dirt, grease, oils, waxes, sealers and any previous coatings before application. After allowing the product to work for approximately 10–20 minutes (maximum), any and all excess should be removed using a clean, lint-free cloth.
If you would like to discuss your application in more detail, we’d be very happy to help and review the preparation and application process with you, to ensure you’re getting the best possible result from the product.
Please feel free to call us on: 01582 592707 or email us directly at: sales@owatroluk.com
Thank you again for your feedback.
All the best,
The Owatrol Team
Chris Roberts –
Verified Owner
I ordered a 125ml tin to refresh my red composite front door. Arrived the next day. Very easy to apply and makes the door look like new.
A product that does what it says. 🙂
Owatrol Team –
Hi there Chris,
Thank you very much for your kind review of Owatrol Polytrol – we’re happy to hear it worked well for you and your red composite front door 🙂
All the best,
The Owatrol Team
Ros Mills –
Verified Owner
The product was easy to use and the door looks good but I was disappointed that it did not restore the colour to the edges surrounding the glass which have faded.
Barbara Girdler –
Verified Owner
Well impressed with this product our sun faded black composite door looks brand new