Best Wax & Procedure

[grizer]

Hey all, I have a picky question. I clean, polish and wax my boat myself and hit it hard in the offseason. My boat generally looks GREAT in May but dull in August. I have been using Flagship Wax. For you “master waxers”, what wax do you find is the best? Also I have had people tell me that I need to put on 4 or 5 coats of wax but that seems extremely time consuming. Thoughts?

[g36]

I've always liked meguires products. If your exposed to the elements all the time you may need to add more coats. I had to cut then polish and then wax a few years ago. Fun fun . Gonna try and keep from doing this again. I am in a covered slip but I still try to get about 3 coats on her every year. You may need to step backwards and get a good start on her. Either cut or polish. Or both. The polish will bring out your shine the wax acts a protectant. I used 105 diamond cut,then polish#7, finish with #26 wax. Might be excessive but its been working ao ill stick wirh it. Lots of choices out there.

[mjk1040]

I like the 3M Cleaner Wax and/or Restorer Wax for the harder spots. Bass Pro has the same type product in their brand name that seems to work just as good and is less expensive than #M. Also have used McGuire cleaner wax that works well to. One coat in the spring seems to last all season. I have learned though that in the fall if time allows to wipe down the hull with white vinegar and water or hard water spot remover prior to waxing again in the spring. Makes the job a lot easier. One has to be careful not to get to many coats of just wax on the gel coat as it will yellow over time and then its a real problem stripping all the old wax off.

[390Express]

What does anyone use for a pad? I've always bought cheaper lambs wool pads (from Harbor Frieght), and more or less used them as disposable. My boat is around 40', and one cheaper pad tends to last me one full coat. Last season I saw a guy using a foam pad and his work product looked really good. I tried (again a cheaper) foam pad and it instantly burned a small spot in the gel, so I threw it out. Any alternatives to using lambswool, does anyone get multiple uses out of a quality lambs wool pad (if so please post the link), and what RPM do you run your high speed wheel at?

[SplashyLady]

Check out Presta Products - they used to only sell to professionals, but now you can buy their products directly. They have a full line of compounds, cleaners, waxes, and buffs. You can also call them and get good advice for a particular need. Check out their products and prices at: http://www.prestaproducts.com/ They have a special marine line as well: http://www.prestaproducts.com/marine.aspx

Good luck!

[bud37]

Source of the post what RPM do you run your high speed wheel at?

Slowest setting on variable...

[denpooch]

I vote for a 2 step system by Collinite. I use their Fiberglass Boat Cleaner #920 followed by Fleetwax #885.
I use an orbital sander with either terrycloth or lambs wool to buff it out. Not an easy endeavor but the finish lasts an entire season and still 'beads' after 6 months.
After each cruise I wash down the boat with water. I only use soap once or twice a season.

https://www.collinite.com/marine-wax/

[Hugo]

Presta products are good for the compound/polishing part. I use presta ultra cutting cream light with the white heavy wool pad but all this depends on what condition your gelcoat is in. I've found that gelcoat does not respond well to polishing pads.

You want your gelcoat to be like a mirror without scratches so that sunlight is reflected not absorbed. If you can't see the boat next to you like a mirror when on the hard there is not enough reflection and the finish will deteriorate fast again.

Forget waxes and sealants, throw those out as the sun heats up the wax and the acid rain gets into it. It also deteriorates very quickly and you'll be doing that every 8 weeks.

Glass coatings is what you need to be looking at. I use marine 31 captains coating with uv50. My boat looks just as good at the end of the season as it did at the beginning and I'm in a very harsh salt water/acid rain environment in NJ where I anchor for many days at a time. My boat gets loads of exposure...

[grizer]

@Hugo- I had not heard of Marine 31. I looked it up and it is a Carnauba Wax which contradicts your statement of “Don’t use wax”. Can you clarify exactly what you are using since you really seem to like your process?

[pepmyster]

I am a clean freak. I want our baby to shine like no other! Used so many types of waxes, This spring, I'm doing a ceramic coating on it. Gotta try this......