Lead Time between Polish & Wax?

[Windjammer]

Got started on polishing and waxing the boat earlier this week - first time I've used polish and worked on the transom under the swim platfom where there is some fading/oxidation. Got the polishing done (Meguiars #44) but it got dark and has been rainy ever since so I didn't get the Flagship wax applied. Is is ok to have several days between polishing and waxing or will the unprotected polish deteriorate and have to be re-applied?

 

[Pirate]

You should be fine within a few weeks or a month. Just make sure it's clean before you wax.

 

[ImpulseIII]

Just hit it with a wet rag and make sure there is no dirt on the surface. If you have automotive detail spray, use that but if you don't, a wet rag will be fine.

 

[Riptide III]

Frank, What is automotive detail spray?
Phil

 

[ImpulseIII]

Phil,

Not sure what the make up is but it is a spray that is used between waxings to clean up finger prints, smudges and remove dust. It provides a bit of lubrication so you don't scratch the paint while removing any "slight" dust. It can also be used as a lubricant when using a clay bar to prep a car for polishing and waxing. I use detail spray from Adams Car Care Products but almost all major car care product manufacture re have similar products.

 

[fwebster]

And from the peanut gallery...........do it before you have to wash the boat or you will will work your butt off waxing out all the water spots.

 

[280 SeaRay]

#44 is not a polish.... it is a light compound. Did you mean #45? The work you have done with getting rid of the junk on/in the gel coat has not been comprimised... but any polishing oils, if the area got wet, have been washed off. There seem to be 2 camps.... one that likes the polishing oils and believes them to beneficial and the other that believes they have no benefits.

If I were in yours shoes:

If you used a #44 then I would wash the area and promptly dry and begin the polish #45 followed by wax

If you used a #45 I would wash the area the area and promptly dry and hit it with another run of #45 and then wax.

It takes me about 10-11 days to finish the detail process on my boat. I only polish the sections I know I can get wax on that day. We have very predictable weather here.... but watching the weather report may help plan how much you tackle that day.

Good luck.