Compounding and waxing in cold weather

Jeff L

Member
Aug 10, 2015
66
Beach Haven NJ / Tresaure Island FL
Boat Info
2005 42 Sedan, Onan gen. 10' Rib dinghy w/ 6hp. / Nautic Star 243
Engines
T 450 Cummins straight drives
Ridiculous weather in the NE.. Its not looking like any significant warm up for a couple more weeks. Any thoughts on Compounding and waxing with temps between 45 - 50 ?

I am thinking that the buffer will bring the gelcoat temp up as well..
 
I would store your compounds and polishes indoors, so they are warm when you begin.
 
Just did my boat with similar temps Over the last two weekends, it wasn’t a problem. The collinite wax had a little longer working time so I could do a larger section that I otherwise would, but the compound and polish performed the same as they do when warm.
 
dealing with the same shit here. Compound and polish is fine but I wait until its a little warmer to wax it.
 
I started compounding/waxing yesterday in around 55 degree weather. I didn’t have a problem with my 3M products and an orbital buffer. Finishing up today in the same.

D259D174-FDDB-403E-AC70-D649F5D98B14.jpeg
 
started yesterday and finishing today!? I'm jealous, I'm usually 4-5 full days for cut/polish/wax

Yeah well, I keep telling myself that as I need to bottom paint on Sunday and back in the water Weds ...so I have to finish this weekend! (Gulp). Truth is I got maybe 1/4 of it done yesterday and plan on spending 12 hours there today. I’m going to do what I can. Might just have to stick to the hull below the rub rail and do the rest when she’s back in.
 
Yeah well, I keep telling myself that as I need to bottom paint on Sunday and back in the water Weds ...so I have to finish this weekend! (Gulp). Truth is I got maybe 1/4 of it done yesterday and plan on spending 12 hours there today. I’m going to do what I can. Might just have to stick to the hull below the rub rail and do the rest when she’s back in.

I hear ya, it’s so much work but always worth it. I started today and changed my process up a little. I usually do below the rub rail first and then run out of steam to do the small stuff between deck hardware and such, and just half ass it. I finished the transom first instead so hopefully now I can cruise through the hull sides
 
I was able to get her done (had 2 others helping me)
1. 3m Cutting Compound
2. Professional Marine Compound
3. Professional marine Polish ( I liked this stuff - I bought it based on some other posts .)
https://bdpdistributing.com/marine?...lypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3&category_id=1

Given that next weekend is looking like we (Northeast) are all out of commission I intend to do the bottom Paint. I use the Petit Multi-Season so I will hit the sides and T-Up on the bottom.. Done by Noon (That's my goal, then off to Easter )

Goal is to finish up week (3) April ( Bridge - shrink off, Canvas up, bright work, detail bridge & Cockpit) ... In the 28 th ?

We will see.
 
I was able to get her done (had 2 others helping me)
1. 3m Cutting Compound
2. Professional Marine Compound
3. Professional marine Polish ( I liked this stuff - I bought it based on some other posts .)
https://bdpdistributing.com/marine?...lypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3&category_id=1

Given that next weekend is looking like we (Northeast) are all out of commission I intend to do the bottom Paint. I use the Petit Multi-Season so I will hit the sides and T-Up on the bottom.. Done by Noon (That's my goal, then off to Easter )

Goal is to finish up week (3) April ( Bridge - shrink off, Canvas up, bright work, detail bridge & Cockpit) ... In the 28 th ?

We will see.

Great work. But dont you want to top and seal that polish with a good wax now?
 
Humidity can effect the ease of applying and removing product. I used to do my polishing and waxing outdoors. Our storage marina is next to Lake Michigan with temps in the high 40s in April. Throw in a little fog and the 20 hour project gets extended a lot. There were times when the wax simply would not come off the boat. Warmer, dry conditions are more comfortable and make for a better outcome. However, if work schedules force doing the detailing on a given weekend that's the way it goes.
 
Great work. But dont you want to top and seal that polish with a good wax now?
I think this product is synonymous w “wax” and is not “polish” in the traditional sense of the word “polish.” This looks like a final step product, like wax. Looks like it’s a polymer sealant....like Starbrite Marine Polish w PTEF.....basically the new and improved version of “wax” w today’s technology.
 
I think this product is synonymous w “wax” and is not “polish” in the traditional sense of the word “polish.” This looks like a final step product, like wax. Looks like it’s a polymer sealant....like Starbrite Marine Polish w PTEF.....basically the new and improved version of “wax” w today’s technology.

I see that. One of the reasons I started using Flagship Wax is the ease of getting it on and off the boat. Some of the older products like Trewax are great products but are really temperature/humidity sensitive. There must be a number things that work well. The key is finding something that works in your climate and sticking with it until you find something that clearly works better.
 
I see that. One of the reasons I started using Flagship Wax is the ease of getting it on and off the boat. Some of the older products like Trewax are great products but are really temperature/humidity sensitive. There must be a number things that work well. The key is finding something that works in your climate and sticking with it until you find something that clearly works better.

True all that! I was a yuuuge Collinite 885 fan down here in FL. But I recently switched to the Starbrite w PTEF polymer “wax” after reading a lot from the maker of it on thehulltruth.....he definitly sold me on polymers. So far I’m super happy w my switch, and I’m optimistic that it will outlast the 885 in my environment.
 
Correct on the Polish, according to the manufacturer it is the last step.
Actually really delivered a mirror like finish. First year with this product. Hopefully it will stand up as claimed. Comments from others, suggest that it does (there is some posting on this site that suggests that it does.)
Heck, I have tried everything in the market and never seem to get a full season.

I was able to knock out the bottom paint yesterday.. 100% of the sides and light t-up on the bottom

I have one more full day .. Next weekend (weather permitting)

On target to launch the week of April 23rd..
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,849
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top