Boat Wax

[DavidPJ]

Hello all,

I just purchased a nice 1999 Hurricane GS-201 and I'm thinking about waxing the gelcoat. What wax do you use and how do you apply it? I would think a buffer would be a requirement for waxing a boat. The condition of the gelcoat is very good so I don't think I need to remove a lot of oxidation. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[shrew]

Re: Boat Wax

Hello all,

I just purchased a nice 1999 Hurricane GS-201 and I'm thinking about waxing the gelcoat. What wax do you use and how do you apply it? I would think a buffer would be a requirement for waxing a boat. The condition of the gelcoat is very good so I don't think I need to remove a lot of oxidation. Thanks for your suggestions.

Waxes today are all fairly decent. As long as it is a marine wax, which is formulated for gel coat. You don't want to use Auto Wax. Cleaner and wax has more cutting agents and can remove mild scratches and light oxidation. A buffer to apply makes it much easier. I remove by hand. The key is to keep swapping out buffer bonnets during application and rags for removal. Once either get 'clogged' they are useless.

I like 3M Marine products personally.

 

[Rixster510]

Re: Boat Wax

Mequiars flagship. GREAT stuff !! I also use a buffer to apply and remove by hand.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Boat Wax

Mequiars flagship. GREAT stuff !! I also use a buffer to apply and remove by hand.

Agree, I just waxed my boat with this stuff on tuesday... Applies easily and removes easily. I do both by hand. Great shine, granted my boat is new... I can't speak to it's lasting ability since I just put it on, but so far it seems like a great product.

 

[bgc]

Re: Boat Wax

2nd the Meguiars, great stuff

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boat Wax

I also use the 3M Marine Polish/Wax. Hull still shines after 36 years!

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boat Wax

I use all 3M products for buffing. Including their wool bonnets.

Ive tried both 3M and Meguires waxes - NuFinish blew them both out of the water (no pun intended) Not technically a wax though... Anyway, it lasts 3x as long as either 3M or Meg.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Boat Wax

Hello all,

I just purchased a nice 1999 Hurricane GS-201 and I'm thinking about waxing the gelcoat. What wax do you use and how do you apply it? I would think a buffer would be a requirement for waxing a boat. The condition of the gelcoat is very good so I don't think I need to remove a lot of oxidation. Thanks for your suggestions.

I use Duragloss 501 Polish then Collinite boat wax. Your shine is only going to be what ever it is when you start. Polish and wax is just to help protect. You can just polish and it does just as well as polish and wax. There is no cleaner in polish. Wash the boat with Dawn dish detergent before you start. This will strip all old wax off.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Wax

I've been waxing my boats with auto wax for over 40 years. My last boat shined like new at 38 years old, and my current is 28 years old.

Wax is wax. Moat all are a carnauba blend. I've never done it any way other than by hand.

Any 3M product (Mequires is 3M) will work perfectly. Now, if the gelcoat is badly oxidized, use a cleaner wax.

For the inside, you can't beat lemon pledge!

 

[DavidPJ]

Re: Boat Wax

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. For those using a power buffer, are you using a standard automotive type buffer or is there a buffer made just for buffing a boat's gellcoat? I don't think I want to hand wax the boat so I would like to find a light weight electric buffer.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: Boat Wax

Wax/polish is always an emotional subject for reasons I do not fully understand. That being said, my experience has been very positive with Nu-Finish. Its easy on easy off and I find that a polish which is easy to use is likely to get used more often. I fish a lot so my boat gets exposed to a lot of stains (fish blood/guts, salt water, squid ink, etc.). I have tried some of the expensive boutique products with no better results than Nu-Finish and independent test always rank it pretty high.