How long should a good wax job last?

Art

Art

Active Member
SILVER Sponsor
Oct 25, 2010
339
Boca Raton, Fl
Boat Info
2003 450 Express Bridge
Engines
Cummins 480CE
I have searched through many threads on waxing, but I didn't find any mention of what would be a reasonable expectation, specifically in a hostile environment like South Florida. I'd be interested in hearing from Sunbelters how often you wax your boat and what product(s) give the best results.
Thanks, Art
 
Where you are I would think 3 months. Where I am, maybe 5-6.
 
But leaving dirt on the gelcoat also takes a huge toll on wax longevity.........so you either wash it and have it clean and wax the gelcoat, or you let it stay dirty, have it look like $X@&, and wax it just about as often.

We are also in Florida and have kind of an unusual boat for this part of the country. Its 15 years old and has no oxidation and looks better than most 2 year old boats. But it comes at a cost.........wax/polish the topside every 3 months; the hull every 6 months when we were not under a covered slip. Now after 10 years on the waiting list (covered slips in Florida have almost been outlawed by the environmentalists --- there are very few, if any, meeting current DEP requirements), we are in a covered slip and I am down to waxing every 6 months on the top sides and the hull once a year. Our boat is washed with a wax-safe soap every 2 weeks.
 
Frank, what kind/brand soap do you use?
 
We get it from a local commercial auto detailing supplier who repackages it from 55 gallon drums into 2.5 gallon jugs. The key factor is that it must have "will not strip wax" in the lableing or I won't buy it.
 
Here in NJ it seems like 6-8 weeks before dirt starts etching into the wax. Sometimes sooner than that the dreaded black streaks will get into the wax even though the surface is still slippery and beading water , I think its due to environmental fallout, amount of rain or sun, wind direction.
 
I have my boat done 3 times a year. I wash the boat down after every use and weekly with plain water. I use a dilute mixture of Meguiars #54 Gel Wash (claims to be wax safe) only if there are stubborn areas. Since the labor cost is the largest part of the expense I am thinking of having my detail-er use Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax and I'll use the Flagship Wash & Wax for my weekly wash downs. Hopefully I'll be happier with the results. Any comments? Thanks, Art
 
Number of folks posted good reviews on Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax. Before it came out, couple of years ago I was using Pure Wax, which seamed to do the job fine. I applied it only in spring. Then, I switched to Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax. I liked it, but really noticed that it doesn't last the season for me. This year I actually got dissapointed with it. As usually, I applied it in spring and by July I had to do it over. By the end of August I could see that the boat is starting to ask for another wax job. As you can imagine that waxing 45' bridge boat is not the same as 320DA, so I'd love to find a better product. BTW, I rinse my boat every time I'm back at the dock (homeport or transient), I wash her with soap (pink buttle from WM, which I've used for years) about every couple of weeks or so. Previously (on my other boats), I was using blue brush from WM, but for 420DB I purchased shurhold medium and soft brushes. They do a good job, I use the 10" soft on my EZ2CY pannels and larger hull areas, this way it takes minimum wax off. Despite of it all the Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax is starting to loose my vote.
 
Hands down the best product I have used for the first time this season is Rejex. All streaking and bird droppings have come off completely with ease and the boat still shines very nicely where as every other product besides leverage was completely gone before the season was over.

I am a convert from Meguiars Flagship 100%.
 
I have done it before, you just need to use it in smaller sections and remove right away. The best way to do it I found was to do the half of the boat that isn't getting direct sunlight and then wait until the other side is out of the sun. Morning / Afternoon type of deal or right around sunset.
 
Carver370 said:
I have done it before, you just need to use it in smaller sections and remove right away. The best way to do it I found was to do the half of the boat that isn't getting direct sunlight and then wait until the other side is out of the sun. Morning / Afternoon type of deal or right around sunset.
Click to expand...

I saw you also mentioned Leverage. What are your thoughts comparing Leverage and Rejex? There are a couple of guys on my dock that really like Rejex. I have used Leverage for the past couple of years...and really like it. I posted a question regarding Rejex in the Levareage thread...but Donnie apparantly has not been on the site for awhile.
 
I was turned onto this soap by my (old) detailer and have not looked at another since.....
2% carnuba:smt038:smt038:smt038
11930_MRM_BoAtWAsh_PPM


Mer-Maids

GA BOATWASH W/CARNUBA WAX
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/product/Mer-Maids-MBS101-GA-BOATWASH-W-CARNUBA-WAX.aspx?cid=11716
 
Basically, the Rejex holds a shine and is easier to get clean than the Leverage was (for my boat). They are both applied differently but one is just as easy to apply as the other.
 
Jersey Mike said:
Sometimes sooner than that the dreaded black streaks will get into the wax even though the surface is still slippery and beading water , I think its due to environmental fallout, amount of rain or sun, wind direction.
Click to expand...

I used Buff Magic followed by Pro Polish this spring on my boat. It didn't take all that long for pesky black streaks to start showing up everywhere on the boat. And they won't come off easily, if at all, with just a wash with boat soap. Because of that, I wasn't all too satisfied with the Pro Polish. I thought it should have resisted the black streaks better.

So about 3 weeks ago I applied a coat of Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax I had lying around, as it said it had a mild cleaner within it and I wanted to get rid of the streaks and apply some protection in one step. It worked great, all black streaks gone and the boat had a nice shine. However, a mere two weeks later and I have black streaks everywhere again!

Where in the world is it coming from? Canvas (I have bimini and cockpit cover on)? Stainless? Driving me nuts...

btw, my boat sits on a boat lift, exposed to the elements.

Tom
 
Gunn said:
Where in the world is it coming from? Canvas (I have bimini and cockpit cover on)? Stainless? Driving me nuts...btw, my boat sits on a boat lift, exposed to the elements. Tom
Click to expand...

I second that. Boat is lift kept in elements with cover on. In the past I used Meguires Cleaner Wax (#50 i think) and was happy. This year I tried Buff Magic (worked well) and the Pro Polish. It wasn't long before the black streaks appeared and they are tough to get off! I'm not sure what wax I will use again but I don't think it will be Pro Polish.
 
Bucit said:
I second that. Boat is lift kept in elements with cover on. In the past I used Meguires Cleaner Wax (#50 i think) and was happy. This year I tried Buff Magic (worked well) and the Pro Polish. It wasn't long before the black streaks appeared and they are tough to get off! I'm not sure what wax I will use again but I don't think it will be Pro Polish.
Click to expand...

Are we the only one's with black streaks!? Great!
 
No Tom, I would guess that a lot, if not most, people who used Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine wax are seeing the same issue with black streaks as you're. Unfortunatelly, besides the Rejex we don't hear any other recommendations. I'll check my archives and will search the site for more options. I know we had number of threads on the topis, so this could be the reason you don't see too many responses.
 
You just need to wash your boats more often. I'm having pretty good luck with Buff Magic right now. I'm using woody wax boat soap, pretty strong stuff. If I have some stubborn black streaks, I put a dab of buff magic on a sponge and rub, comes right off.
 
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