Waxing the hull

[landonshaw]

I have a plan to have the hull waxed tomorrow. Anyone have any revisions or comments to the plan?

Step 1.) Preparation

Wash boat using yellow deck brush with soap and water.

Then use On & Off for hull on small areas to the waterline. Rinse thoroughly with water as you go. Try not to get on bottom paint. Boat is in the water.

Don’t get on metal or rubber.



Step 2.) Compounding

3M Pad #05711 / 3M Perfect-It Rubbing Compound
Put rubbing compound on wheel, radiating out from center, criss-cross. Makita 9227C

Keep pad damp - Mist pad with spray bottle - if compound slings, the pad is to damp
2 x 2 foot areas
Slow speed & light pressure, 600 RPM
then 1000 for 30 to 45 seconds
then 2000 STOP BEFOR DRY
Wipe the residue off while it is in the “damp haze” mode with micro cloth


Step 3.) Polishing

3M Pad #07513 / Finesse It II
Put polishing compound on wheel, radiating out from center, criss-cross. Makita 9227C

Keep pad damp - Mist pad with spray bottle - if compound slings, the pad is to damp
2 x 2 foot areas
Slow speed & light pressure, 600 RPM
then 1000 for 30 to 45 seconds
then 2000 STOP BEFOR DRY
Wipe the residue off while it is in the “damp haze” mode with micro cloth

3 coats at the waterline


Step 4.) Waxing

Collinite 870 / Micro Cloth
Spray mist hull and liberally apply wax, hand apply with wax applicator
Rub in a circular motion, let it haze dry to 80 – 90%
Buff by hand with Micro Cloth

[skipmac]

Everything you ever wanted to know about waxing a boat is here.

Tips For A Great Buff Wax - SailboatOwners.com

[memiller279]

Another way to do the waxing part is to use a paste wax, although you want to keep it wet if your using the buffer. The trick will be to have polarized sunglasses on and look at the surface at a 45 degree angle for swirls (swirls are a no...no) Usually if you're consistent you can go back over the same area with a cloth to eliminate them.

[Bash]

If you're going to prep, compound and then polish first, why use Colonite 870 in the wax phase? That's for slackers like me who don't want to go through those previous steps first.

[barnakiel]

When washing down gelcoat/paint, avoid brushes, stick to sponges.

Various waxes require various amt of work to apply/buff. Try some then go with whatever suits your stamina and work style.

b.

[landonshaw]

I am going to try and find some Collinite 885, although on the island the 870 was the best I could find.

Found some Collinites Insulator Wax 845, but it looks like it gives a good high gloss and is for high voltage power lines although it reads like it could be used only on fiberglass.

Has anyone ever use it?

[landonshaw]

Will use a sponge, thanks

[barnakiel]

But what is 'fiberglass' in this case?

Fiberglass is generally covered either with gelcoat or else with polyurethane (or other) paint.

They may mean something about incompatibility with either sort of cover. I think.

b.