Polishing/waxing

[PEARCE]

I wax mine once a year by hand with liquid wax. I may use a quick spray wax during the season for quick touch ups. I'm in the middle of clay baring the whole boat now. I store inside a large garage at my house so I don't get in a hurry and I take my time.

 

[Addicted]

Waxing after every use requires way more time than I can devote. I bet you boat looks great though.

I have heard that waxing by hand with liquid wax is not as effective because the liquid needs to be heated up by the friction to soak into the fiberglass. Definitely not an expert, just some information I saw on a you tube video.

 

[MikeyL]

The Harbor Freight polisher is an excellent choice for many. Most likely, you'll never live long enough, nor use it enough, to ever wear it out.
What I use, along with a specific QUALITY "backing pad" (VERY IMPORTANT ! ... Hint: Meguiers) is the Porter-Cable 7624.
This unit has been used for years by many professional polishing outfits.
Good Price <today> also ... $ 117.99 and Free shipping from Amazon. This is one of the lower prices I have seen.
Wishing everyone well - MIkey Lulejian - Enjoying 81 degree weather right on the beach @ Hilton Head Island (SC).
http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-7424XP-6-Inch-Variable-Speed-Polisher/dp/B002654I46/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394547824&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=porter-cable 7624

 

[rkluck]

Am I the only one that waxes the boat after every use? I wash, wax by hand, vacuum interior, wipe interior with hot sauce and vinyl sauce (wax the interior twice a year)

Micro Fiber Towel, Boat Bling "Pro Sauce" and elbow grease.

I am impressed. I don't have the time or energy to wax the boat every time I take it out. When I had a boat in the salt water I did wash the boat every time but still only waxed maybe three times a year. It takes me hours to wash and wax my boat (and that is not by hand). I make it a day event and clean everything inside and out. I am sure I am slower sicne I still get tired after a few hours. I bet your boat looks beautifull all the time!!

 

[upperdeck]

This is what I have. Very pro grade, but you certainly pay for it! $350 or so...

http://www.amazon.com/Flex-XC3401VR...4580063&sr=8-1&keywords=flex+orbital+polisher

 

[Addicted]

I ended up finding a kit with the 6" Gariots-Garage DA that jetboaters4life recommended, the 3" little brother, and some pads. Now I just need to decide on a wax/polish.

 

[jetboater4life]

I ended up finding a kit with the 6" Gariots-Garage DA that jetboaters4life recommended, the 3" little brother, and some pads. Now I just need to decide on a wax/polish.

I'm still looking and read that the 3 inch is handy for the areas around non-gelcoat. Where did you purchase from?

 

[tdonoughue]

Dumb question: when using a 6", how do you get he paste out of the can onto the pad?

Do any of you buff out with the polisher? Or do that with a micro cloth?

 

[DieselCamel]

Dumb question: when using a 6", how do you get he paste out of the can onto the pad?

Do any of you buff out with the polisher? Or do that with a micro cloth?

no one uses paste anymore

apply with buffer then wipe clean with microfiber

 

[Addicted]

I'm still looking and read that the 3 inch is handy for the areas around non-gelcoat. Where did you purchase from?

I purchased it at Auto Geek.
http://www.autogeek.net/kitspecials.html

 

[Magic]

Am I the only one that waxes the boat after every use? I wash, wax by hand, vacuum interior, wipe interior with hot sauce and vinyl sauce (wax the interior twice a year)

Micro Fiber Towel, Boat Bling "Pro Sauce" and elbow grease.

Nope, we hit the boat with vinegar in water at the lake for waterspotting, then I hit hit it (alone) with Nu-Finish...... quick and easy, no really! =)

 

[upperdeck]

They make a microfiber bonnet that goes over the top of a pad. Don't have to take the product off by hand.

 

[WickedPorter]

My experience may differ due to my "inland, no salt" ways, but I do have a (mostly) all black hull and I am meticulous about maintaining a spot-free boat. I average about one outing per week (hopefully more this season with my new slip+lift!). All that said, last year I put one coat of Zaino (zainostore.com) synthetic polymer polish (Z5 + ZFX activator) in the spring, and after every outing, quick wash with a microfiber mit and use hot sauce to shine it back up. The finish remained smooth and shiny-slick all season long (I did polish it again before storing, but it didn't look like it needed it at all.)

It will see a lot more sun this season due to the new slip/lift (before: indoor storage). May have to step up my efforts!

 

[jetboat623]

I love detailing cars and my boat. Its like therapy. I learned a lot from going here. They have how to write ups and great products.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

 

[mgabsa]

My question to those that use polishers/buffers is does using the machine do a better job (cleaning or polishing) the boat than just applying the wax/polish by hand and wiping it off? I'm not talking about a lot of elbow grease when I do it.

I've been using Starbrite with PTEF and it is super easy. I'm old school and would never use compound on boats as new as these but I may have to change my thinking. My boat is not like my truck: i use the boat, wipe it down, cover it and put it in a garage. It's only in the sun about 2 days a week/6 months a year.

If using any one of the machines listed cleans and polishes better than by hand, I'm adding one to my mod list for the boat and just telling the wife it's a cost of boating and I know how you enjoy boating!

I have the Champagne color boat with a black stripe. That black stripe gives me fits cuz I just want it to be spotless with no swirl marks. I can't imagine having a black boat!

Rubbing compound use to be very embracive and breakdown the top layer of clear to bring out the shine in the finish. I'm not sure how it works for gel coat.

Is there rubbing compound specially formulated for gel coat?

 

[Wayloncle]

Am I the only one that waxes the boat after every use? I wash, wax by hand, vacuum interior, wipe interior with hot sauce and vinyl sauce (wax the interior twice a year)

Micro Fiber Towel, Boat Bling "Pro Sauce" and elbow grease.

You have a lot more free time than I do! I do wash it after every use, but I'm in salt water. After getting out of the water I take care of the boat real quick, then get the kids fed/in bed or whatever.

 

[fairpilot]

I prefer the hand wax method. Use hot sauce after you come out of water and you won't have to wax every year.

 

[Kelso]

The wife and I just strip washed ours (to take the old, conventional wax layer off), and then reapplied Rejex polymer coating by hand. We bought our boat last May and we do wash it and Hot Sauce it after every outing, but this is the first waxing we've done. When we were finished it looked like a mirror, stunning.

I have the black hull. My take is that if you consistently clean it, apply Hot Sauce, and then wax it a time or two through the year then the application method is less important, mostly because it should always have a protective coating in place due to your continual upkeep methods, such as ours of cleaning/hot saucing every outing. We do store inside out of the elements though.

 

[Detonate]

no one uses paste anymore

apply with buffer then wipe clean with microfiber

No way! Paste is all I use. Night an day difference from the paste and liquid stuff.

Not just looks, but the durability!


3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax FTW!!!!!

 

[Kevin107]

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-DA-Power-System-Tool/22083702?type=search

Anyone use this?