Wax Options for New Boat

[Rugger8]

I tried reading through and deciphering all of my options for washing and waxing my boat ('06 Regal). Here is what I have come up with. Please let me know if this looks correct.

Wash:
Orpine Wash and Wax
Meguiar's Boat Soap
Dawn (Removes Wax - so don't use on new boat)

Polishes:
Finesse It (3M)
Buff Magic (Yacht Brite)

Waxes:
Flagship Wax (Meguiars???)
Eagle 1 NanoWax (Car Wax)
3M Ultra Performance Paste Wax

Polymer Waxes (Must Strip old Wax First with Dawn)
Zaino
Aurora
Nu-Finish (Car Wax)

Wax (Non-slip surfaces):
Woody Wax
Future kitchen floor wax

Polishers/Buffers:
Porter Cable 7424 ($150) or 7428($300 professional model)
Makita 9227
DeWalt 849
Harbor Freight - $49
Cyclo - $300+
Makita BO6040 Two Mode Polisher

Pad:
White Wool
Yellow Wool
Foam

ok, so for a new boat, I presume I don't want to take off the old wax/finish. So I would wash with Orphine's or Meguiars. Then I would use a non-skid wax on that portion of the boat. And then I think I can skip the compound and polish stages and go straight to 2 coats of wax with any of the traditional (non-polymer) based waxes. The plan is to use just the white wool buffer and in the future the yellow wool buffer for the polishing stage. And finally there is a wide variance in buffer price, is it worth the extra money for a high end buffer. And has anyone tried the Makita BO6040 Two Mode Polisher, it does both rotary and orbital in one machine.

Thanks,

 

[divedaddy]

I believe you have mixed classes on a few things. Here are some corrections to the products you noted.

Finesse It (3M)
Buff Magic (Yacht Brite)
Both of these are polishes, not waxes. They are used for perfecting a finish via abrasive polishing and provide no protection a la wax.

Nu-Finish (Car Wax)
Not a wax but an acrylic coating, like Future floor wax, Zaino or Poli Glow. I don't believe Dawn will strip these.

For a new boat, if it is really new then just wash and wax. Use either Dawn or Meguiars just before waxing, Orpine Wash & Wax after waxing. If it is a few months old, then you may want to use a simple cleaner such as Collonite Fiberglass Cleaner (non abrasive cleaner) before waxing.

There are many waxes and wax products on the market. I would recommend (others will suggest different products) that you use a top quality wax product made for boats. These are formulated for fiberglass gelcoat, which is different in surface qualities and chemistry than automotive paints. I prefer Meguiar's Flagship Premium, many others prefer Collonite Fleetwax or 3M Products.

As for buffing, you shouldn't need that for at least a year, and if you are diligent in care then two or more years. Before you consider buffing, read Mike Ryan's sticky post at the top of the forum carefully - it will give you the correct procedure and sequence of products.

For waxing, if you use a liquid wax you might find the Porter Cable 7424 to be handy, but not necessary - hand application works just fine.

Finally, the Eagle One Nanowax was my recommendation so I will clarify - I use a carnuba spray wax every 2-4 weeks after washing and drying. The idea is to "refresh" the very thin wax coating thus extending its protective life. Doing this is much easier than the polish and wax routine. Any good carnuba-based spray wax should work well - they go from $5 to $20 for about 16 oz. Pick your favorite.

 

[jeffk]

Zaino is not an acrylic. Dawn will remove it.

 

[Rugger8]

ok, I made changes to the original post to reflect the corrections you indicated. As for clarification, the boat is new to me, but it is an '06 model and was made in June '06, so there has been a year of exposure to the weather, sun, etc. Supposedly the dealer waxed it before delivery and everything looks pretty good, but want to make sure it stays that way. I read Mike's post and it was very helpful, but I had some difficulty placing the named products into the right step of the detailing process. So this helps me to decide the right thing to do. so since the boat is only a year old in time, can I still just go straight to a high quality wax and do that by hand without a buffer.

 

[David M]

Aurora and follow the steps provided with the product. It is the best I have dealt with in years. The shine on the hull is not as deep as Collonite, however, nothing sticks to it. Black streaks are pretty much non-existent. Use the Sure Step on the topsides. It does not shine like a wax. It has more of a satin finish. It makes the decks grow suction cups though.

For the record: I am a consumer and have no affiliation with the company.

 

[Liquid Diet 2]

Waxing a 35 footer by hand? You must have a lot of time to spare! Even if you're just doing the topsides it's gonna take some work. Invest in the buffer if you're into boating for the long haul. And to answer your question- if the gel coat is in good condition you can just wash and wax. If you come across some black streaks or other dirt in the gel coat you can use a cleaner/wax to get those stains out, and then go over with a "pure" wax. I like 3M's Ultra Performance paste wax.