Best method to wax the boat

[340DA]

I have a 340 DA that I am the 2nd owner. The previous owner had it waxed evey year so it is in great shape. I want to continue having it look pristine. The boat has one season worth of oxidation above the rub rail (light amount, not bad at all). Shine below is perfect.
How do you recommend I clean it and wax it to keep get the mirror image shine?? What polisher? and should I use a random orbit buffer?

 

[Weave]

340..congrats on the boat. A quick search for "wax" "polishing" should yield a boat load of threads.
You will find some fans of the PC buffer and you will also find some fans of rotary style.
Also you should include you boat info in your signature so the group can have an idea of the engine and systems your boat has to better answer your questions.
Good luck.

 

[djboots]

I usally just wax the sides by hand if it already looks good. You could also use an orbital, but in my opinion if there is no oxidation by hand is fine. As for above the rub rail you need to wheel that with a polishing wheel (dewalt is the best) Use a 3M light compound with a wool or compond foam pad. Then follow up with a wax/polish with a less aggressive foam pad, then follow with a hand wax. Any marine wax that is high in teflon works good. West marine sells some that says teflon right on the front of the bottle.

Enjoy the boat!!! I have the same one:smt038

 

[poormonkey]

I used yacht brite's buff magic this year prior to waxing and it got out all the oxidation I had on the boat. I didn't have much oxidation but it did the trick. I used my makita 9227 buffer to remove the buff magic. I applied it by hand in a small 2'x2' area, let it sit for a minute and then used the buffer on like 2200 rpm's to work the compound in and do its job. I then applied wax by hand and used the buffer to take the wax off on the hull. The top side the buffer is too big minus the main deck portion, that is why people suggest the Porter Cable one for that job. After I applied wax by hand and stripped it off by hand on the top side. I think I will follow people's suggestions on here and use that woody wax for the non skid areas on the top side next time. My back will thank me for it.

I used Meguiars marine flagship premium wax. I think it does a good job, but I have been hearing a lot about Collinite's No. 885 Fleetwax. I might give that a try next year.

 

[Weave]

I use the Collinite products with great results. Product seems to hold up very well.