Waxing your Boat

Hey now we weren't talking about our wi...

wait what?

2 coats of Colinite on mine Memorial Day and again Labor Day. I also spray it down with a mix of Babes Boat Brite, vinegar and water, one part each in a hand held pump up sprayer. No spots ever, the Babes builds up and after 3 or 4 times the shine increases. I check for wax by wiping dried spots with a dry towel before I spray and the Colonite lasts about 2 months before the spots begin to stick.   The vinegar is taking off wax, but the spots have to come off because at some point they etch themselves into the gelcoat and it takes something like CLR to remove them when the vinegar won't cut it.

I tried a new sealant that someone local is making this fall and it held up just as long as the Colonite. I split the transom in half and did one coat of each on each side. My transom faces east so that was where I needed the most protection from the sun.   It goes on and wipes off so easy compared to the Colonite, so next year I'm going to do a coat of each.

The spray and the sprayer really makes the difference though, brings that shine right back and it works on windows too. I've seen some stuff that's supposed to be better, but in the end it costs a lot more and I haven't seen that much improvement.

I finally ran out of wax so Ill be trying the Collinite this spring. I wax 3 times a year. First spring, then i dump it in the lake where it stays all summer( no, not on a lift) , pull it out for the reunion, wash the hull and rewax. Then i drop it back in till the season ends and do the wash/wash thing one more time before storage. I clean the inside every chance I get.

Mike

Dad's 63 Ski received a coat of some form of Carnuba every year it makes it out of the garage since it was new. I used the Collinite cleaner wax (forgot the number) and then the Finish wax two years ago and it really helped to make it shine. It gets Babe's Boat Brite (green) when it goes back on the trailer now.

My 98 Sport receives the same treatment (Collinite cleaner wax and then finish wax) every other year with new coat of the finish wax at the beginning of every season. Every time it comes out of the water (or at the end of the day) it immediately gets the Babe's Boat Brite. Occasionally I use the Babe's Spot remover (purple) if I get a few dry spots and then follow that up with the green (to put some wax back on) but that is pretty rare.

That pic rocks Joel, it looks photoshopped. Mainly cuz your hand shows up better in the reflection than in the camera

Wonder if I can get Dad's sport looking that shiny!

The shine really blew me away, for sure. Loved the results. After this I used Collonite 925 (I think) and maintained it on the lift over the summer with Babe's Boat Bright, which is a product I adore. Boat still looks outstanding. Planning on hitting it with Fleetwax this spring.

Are there any issues buffing over vinyl or domed letters? Can the resin coating on the domed letters be damaged easily?

To take care of some minor oxidation, would it be better to use a wheel with Collinite's #920 or 3M Finesse-It II keeping in mind I would be going over domed letters? I'm thinking the #920 is finer and might be a little more forgiving?

I'll have to search for my old thread about the order I used, but the 3M foam pads designed to work with Finesse It made a huge difference in both time and results. Polishing is a bit of technique and know how to do a real good job.   One thing I found online is to use a detail spray on your pad and the surface to keep it wet otherwise the polish won't work. With the 3M stuff you simply worked it until it disappeared and it was done.

I think polishing over the domed letters would most likely shine them.

P71_CrownVic wrote: After every other outing, I wax mine with spray wax. Eagle One is the brand. Makes the water bead very nicely. I usually wash it after using it as well.

If you have time for that you don't use your boat often enough. Lol