Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

[jjt98]

What is the best fiberglass boat hull wax avaliable? The lake we boat at is pretty muddy so keeping the hull waxed is critical to keeping stains off of the hull.

Also what is the best way to apply a hull wax? By hand or a buffer?

Lastly when is the best time to apply a fresh coat of wax? In the Fall before putting in storage for the winter or in the Spring after taking out of storage?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

I've done a lot of car detailing, used a lot of different stuff including some expensive junk, and I still swear by Turtle Wax. It's cheap and they claim it works just as well on fiberglass with gel coat. Their swirl remover is a pretty mild abrasive that does a good job with color restoration. If kept in a slip I'd do it fall and spring, at least once in the middle if you trailer it. I like their hard wax because it's really easy to waste an entire bottle of the liquid stuff. I just read a consumer reports article last fall that also recommended Turtle Wax. You could use a buffer but in my opinion nothing tops a good hand applied wax.

 

[jjt98]

Re: Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

It is funny that you mentioned Turtle Wax because that is what we used this summer. I was surprised how well it worked. Before waxing, the boat hull would get stained a brown color from the muddy water which did not come off when scrubbing with soap and water. After using an acid based hull cleaner we got the stains off. Then we put a quick coat of Liquid Turtle Wax on it. Next time in the water the hull didn't stain nearly as easy. The stains they did show up we were able to wipe off easily with soap and water.

I just thought there might be something better than Turtle Wax for boat hulls. Sounds like I should stick with the Turtle Wax and give the hard wax a try.

 

[sasto]

Re: Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

Whether waxing a 65-footer or a 20-footer it's colonite for me, every 3 months.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

Leave the Turtle wax for waxing your car.

When it comes to boat waxes, Collinite is hands down the best boat wax on the market. Clean the hull down with 920 boat cleaner then apply a coat of heavy duty Fleet wax. Two weeks later apply a second coat and you?re good for the Season. The depth of shine is unreal. Collinite insulator wax will last even longer, but it's doesn't give you the depth of shine the Fleetwax does.

I apply wax my wax in the Spring. First season is clean and wax. Second season is wax only. Foruth season is back to clean and wax.

The July 2009 issue of Practical Sailor magazine revealed the results of an industry-wide product test in which 10 waxes were applied to a fiberglass hatch and left out in the Florida sun and rain for 6 months. Collinite?s #885 was deemed a ?Best Choice? for initial gloss, ability to repel dirt, and ability to continuously bead water after 6 months. Collinite outlasted all of its competitors including 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste, Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell Wax, Meguiars Flagship Premium Paste, Star brite Presoftened Boat Wax, Mothers California Gold Carnuba, Nu-Finish Soft Paste, and Kit Carnuba. This was Collinite?s 4th top-rated award from Practical Sailor/Powerboat Reports

http://www.collinitemarine.com/

 

[Al-53]

Re: Good Quality Wax and When to Apply

I have detailed cars and boats for close to 17 years....from daily drivers to Concourse show.....

To answer your question..the best way to protect the investment is to first seal the Hull with a polymer sealant....which will actually bond to the paint or gel coat....I have use many products and found that the Duragloss Marine Polish is best..it will clean the surface and also lay a protective polymer to the surface....then after that's is cured...usually 12 hours....you apply a sacrifical barrier..Collinite....you let the wax take the abuse of water abrasion and contaminates and let the polymer sealant protect the surface....

Al