To Wax or Not To Wax?

[Kenomac]

I just finished polishing the hull. It probably hadn't been done properly in 10 years. Gel coat is amazing the way it comes back to looking like new.

Here's the question: Now what? Do I wax the hull or is there another product on the market that works better? One preferably that I can purchase here in Italy. Or, does it really make much difference? Should I just leave it alone?

Thanks in advance.

Ken

[Stu Jackson]

Ken, you most likely have seen this before. If you can't get Collinite, then get some good carnuba wax. If you don't wax, you'll just have to do it all over again. Nice job, though.

I just went through all this, and NOT waxing was nowhere in my vocabulary.

Tips For A Great Buff Wax - SailboatOwners.com

[Kenomac]

Lots of helpful information in that article. Looks like I'm only half way finished.

When I've hired people to do the work in the past.... I'm thinking now that their work was over priced and half-assed. My Dewalt polisher is heavy at 7 pounds, but it sure seems to make a big difference in the finish.

[barnakiel]

I always wax. I use semi-hard car waxes without cutter. Gelco loves wax.

I use car stuff as I found the liquid stuff available from marine stores way easier to apply ... and way sooner to fade. Easy comes easy goes ;-)

b.

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Ken, you most likely have seen this before. If you can't get Collinite, then get some good carnuba wax. If you don't wax, you'll just have to do it all over again. Nice job, though.

I just went through all this, and NOT waxing was nowhere in my vocabulary.

Tips For A Great Buff Wax - SailboatOwners.com

This is good advice

[zboss]

What about rejex? Is there a verdict?

[VOYAGER II]

I Use Meguiars Flagship marine paste wax. My boat is a 1982. I had the the Gelcoat buffed out in 2005 and hand applied this product and every three years since I reapply. It's not easy, but the results are worth the effort.

[IdoraKeeper]

wax on wax off wax on wax off

[Hudson Force]

I heard many good reports for Rejex and I did buy an expensive small bottle which I used a portion of on my transom. I had fine results with the Rejex, but I'll likely go back to the wax as I didn't see a significant difference in my results. The wax is less expensive and more commonly available.



Here's the wax on my 42 year old gelcoat.

[boeing1]

I use Poli Glow, much easier that waxing, and seems to last longer that wax....

[Scrimshaw4]

To ease the weight of your buffer you might try suspending it with some line and a bungee cord from the lifeline. On gelcoat I have found that Starbrite Silocone works wonders. Wait 30 days after first coat and then apply sewcond. Residual oxidation from your polishing will have leached thru the first coat. The second coat removes it. Over time subsequen applicatins will continue to fill the microscopic vallies in the gelcoat surface enhancing the shine. You'll find that periodic washing with a mild dish soap keeps it clean as dirt will not adhere to the finish the way wax does when it ages and gets soft. The only caution is that when doing gelcoat repairs, the silicone will clog the sand paper rapidly in the repair area.

[Hudson Force]

'just a side topic for safety here,-
When I was in Hilton Head a few days ago I saw a man buffing his freeboad with a large electric wheel. He was sitting on the floating dock with his legs in the water and the extension cord hanging over his lifeline. I asked him if he was considering any risk with his proceedure and he quipped, "I'm not sure if my pacemaker would act up with the 110 volts in the water!"

I'm more comfortable buffing with an electrical device on the hard, but I have worked with electrical tools from my dinghy or a finger pier. I always attach the extension cord at a fixed point where the distance to the water would pull the cord from the tool out of the socket before immersion. I usually attach a bungy cord between the plugs so if they detach nothing gets wet.

[Garethk]

good advice with your tools.
I wax at least every 12 months and the cockpit area every 3-6 months,boat looks like new.don't wait to lose the shine before polishing.

[cpa]

I use a light compound and then wax the boat twice a year. Last time I used the West Marine light duty finishing compound. It really worked well and was around $7 Port Supply. I always wax with Collinite. It seems to still be beading water after 6 months. It sure is a lot of work. Last time I skipped the buffer and did the compound by hand. I think it was a little easier.

[Kenomac]

OK, so here's a list of what I ended up doing, based on the CF forum advice.

1) 3M Fast Cut Plus Compound via wool buffing wheel Dewalt polisher

2) 3M Perfect it finish polishing compound via 3M foam pad wheel and polisher

3) 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax hand rubbed and wiped clean via microfiber rag.

Hopefully, I'll get a couple of years from the finish. I looked for the carnuba wax locally, but sometimes I can't always get what I want in Italy, many times what they offer is even higher quality than what I'm used to buying in the U.S., and sometimes... it's just different. Most of the time... I can't read the label or the directions. But figured I can't go wrong with the 3M trio... Geez, it cost a small fortune.