Boat Wax

[Lazy Flamingo]

I was always content with the coats of Captains Spar Varnish on my antique
mahogany boats to give them a mirror like finish.

Now that I have a new fiberglass boat, I was told that I should give it a good
wax job to preseve the finish/colors, one time now, and again in the fall .. :roll:

Any suggestions on what type of wax to use, and any waxing tips ?

[Seapuppy]

SEAPOWER...great stuff and easy to work in....it cleans pretty good too :argh arr

I'll second that. It's amazing stuff.

[Go Aweigh2452]

thirds... along with Meguires

[Lazy Flamingo]

I could not find "SEAPOWER" wax anywhere ? I tried
Boaters World & West Marine here, no luck.

I was able to get "MEGUIRES", and I did the whole boat,
inside and outside. Took awhile, but looks great and feels
like silk on the surface.
Thanks for the advice on wax, it is appreciated .. http://www.websmileys.com/sm/happy/743.gif

Both West Marine and Boater's World carry it. It's in the fiberglass cleaner section. 3M Fiberglass Restorer works identical to it, but is a bit more expensive.

[Go Aweigh2452]

3M Fiberglass Restorer works identical to it, but is a bit more expensive.

it also has some grit to it and on a new boat, not recommended... Great for a restoration job on an older boat...

That's not what 3M has to say about it. The "grit" your talking about is so fine you'd never bother gelcoat. I used it on my boat for 5 years and the fiberglass looked great the day we sold it.

[Go Aweigh2452]

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_GSXV6KGCTVbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/gvel_H8PTZGX97Rgl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

I used SeaPower the entire time I had the boat. Never had any issues. I think you're going along the lines of automotive paint Doug. You couldn't hurt gelcoat with a million coats of Seapower by hand.

Seapower is an awesome cleaner/wax. It removes scum, tar, stains, black streak... heck you name it. It'll get keep your gelcoat looking as new.

Wax will protect it, but it won't clean it.

[Seapuppy]

Boy...this is a day to remember....Mikes right about seapower....I was surprised to see what he used on his boat...he did a little spot on mine and it was fantastic...my 2k 2455 was all we used on it....the new boat is getting it too and I have to agree with him (stand back for lightening bolts)...it's great stuff...works like a charm......uffdah...I need alchohol..... :argh arrr

I had the same reaction when Tally's friend was sitting on a 10 year old 2452, that had glass that looked better than mine at 2 years old. He showed me his whole two-rag approach. Two little white terry rags about the size of washcloths. One for applying and the other for taking it off. He said he just worked his way around the boat, patches at a time until he got tired of playing. I've been doing the same thing ever since. The carnuba wax in the Sea Power holds up well too. They changed their fragrance this year too... it used to stink like kerosene, but it's more flowery now.

Definitely good stuff. I've used it on a machine as well. Works like magic.

[Kuredu]

Last year I used McGuires (sp?) and it was so-so. Just OK. Yesterday I started this years waxing and based on this thread, used Seapower. Did the bridge and transom yesterday and WOW, what a difference. Goes on easily, comes off with a wipe and the glass looks better than new.

I'm impressed. Thanks for the advice guys!

It is good stuff. I used the last I had yesterday on my hot tub. :)

[Lazy Flamingo]

Are you guys talking about:
Seapower Wash & Wax Boat Soap

What I bought was the following:
Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax

If I understand you guys right, I should be using the
Seapower instead of Meguiar's ? .. :roll:

How often do you use the Seapower ?
I have always washed my boats down after using them, but
that was because they were mahogany wood, not fiberglass

Nope. It's just called Seapower.

http://a1672.g.akamai.net/7/1672/116/20050501/www.ritzcamera.com/graphics/boatersworld/products/176972008.jpg

[Kuredu]

You're both kinda right - there is a wash & wax as well as a polish (and a couple of others per their website here http://www.seapowerproducts.com/cat/categoryDetail.cfm?type=Fiberglass ).

Yesterday I got the Super Poly Boat Polish
http://www.seapowerproducts.com/cat/img/SPS-0.jpg

I also got the wash & wax boat soap for general washing. Have not tried it yet.
http://www.seapowerproducts.com/cat/img/sp_washnwax2.gif

I also used the polish on the ss railings and the cleats - magic stuff! Last year I used what LF now has - Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax as well as their boat soap. As Randy (AI) would say "I was only OK for me dog."

[Kuredu]

LF - to answer your question - the wax goes on once a year, usually over two or three weekends.

The boat gets washed and soaped when it's dirty. In my previous marina this was every week. Current marina it will probably only be neccessary once a month or so.

I rinse her off with a hose after each and every trip to remove salt residues. Sometime a quick spray is all that is required but if we've been out for a week or hit some rough water, I will wash her with soap while the wife is cleaning inside or packing stuff away. I just hate leaving her dirty and especially when she's covered in salt - cannot image that it will do the gelcoat any good. On the other hand, if I know it will rain soon after our return (this is Vancouver after all) I'll let the rain doi the job 8)

[Randygh]

I purchased some Seapower wax from boatfix and applied it to my boat's hull. Good stuff. Easy to buff out. Has anyone used it on finished wood?

I used it on upholstery. It'll reach in and get some pretty stubborn stains out. I don't know about finished wood though. I think I'd try it on a small patch first.