Paste or liquid wax?

plumbhappy

plumbhappy

New Member
Aug 15, 2010
136
California Delta
Boat Info
1989 340 Sundancer
Engines
7.4L Mercruiser Blue Water 340 hp (2)
Quicksilver 6.5 gen
Humph came down and gave me a lesson in compounding and polishing the boat. We still have a lot of work to do but it's looking great. We have been using the Pesta compounding/polishing products, but I was wondering what others preferred for wax. I have always used liquid wax, but what about paste wax? Is there anything special about paste wax? Harder to use, looks better, lasts longer? Not really sure. I think Humph has some plans, but I'd like to know what you use.

BTW, thanks again Ken, what a great boat warming gift!

Thanks in advance
Rob
 
You answered your own question.
"Harder to use, looks better, lasts longer"
 
I use a West Marine cleaner/wax. It's a liquid, goes on quick and looks good. Here's what it looked like when I was done. In this pic you can see where I've waxed (from the stern coming forward).
P6051031.jpg

Three years later it still looks like that. It is kept under cover, but I think that's amazing longevity.
 
Gofirstclass said:
I use a West Marine cleaner/wax. It's a liquid, goes on quick and looks good. Here's what it looked like when I was done. In this pic you can see where I've waxed (from the stern coming forward).
View attachment 29021

Three years later it still looks like that. It is kept under cover, but I think that's amazing longevity.
Click to expand...


Looks great GFC! We need to get Rob's boat on land to get her looking like that (a project for next year?) but we'll have her 100% better than she was. The topsides will look great after one more trip up this weekend and the right product on hand. My shoulders are a little sore still as is the rest of me. What was I thinkin' ?

For wax, I don't have a real preference yet. Compound, yes....polish, yes.....wax, no.
 
I used Meguiars Polish and then the Premium Flagship wax with great results. I didn't have any oxidation to speak of so no compounding.
 
The real key here is to use quality microfiber towels. Seriously knocks some time out. The time you save w/ mirofibers your shoulders will thank you. For wax We use Collinite Fleet Wax. Hard top and deck paste wax 885. Hull and sides liquid 870. WE dont even let it haze off. Wipe on w/ DA buffer and wipe off.
 
Escapade said:
The real key here is to use quality microfiber towels. Seriously knocks some time out. The time you save w/ mirofibers your shoulders will thank you. For wax We use Collinite Fleet Wax. Hard top and deck paste wax 885. Hull and sides liquid 870. WE dont even let it haze off. Wipe on w/ DA buffer and wipe off.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Collinite products. Excellent.
 
I've changed my thinking on this issue over many years of trying all kinds of products. Our boat has no oxidation because we polish it once a year prior to waxing. The Flagship Premier wax holds up very well in Michigan summers below the rub rail. It adds shine and beads water even in April when I move the boat outside for polishing and waxing. Flagship falls short on the hardtop and topsides and needs additional work by August. Since I began using Collinite Fleet Wax above the rub rail, I'v been very pleased and ask myself each year if I really need to wax those areas. I do, and I'm sure this is the best way to go in the long run. The product is a little touchy to work with although I use a detailer to do it so it really is not a big deal to me. The Flagship is a piece of cake to use and I do that myself with a helper. If depends on where you boat. Florida is really tough on wax. Michigan, not so bad. Collinite is very popular in this climate.
 
HUMPH said:
Looks great GFC! We need to get Rob's boat on land to get her looking like that (a project for next year?) but we'll have her 100% better than she was. The topsides will look great after one more trip up this weekend and the right product on hand. My shoulders are a little sore still as is the rest of me. What was I thinkin' ?

For wax, I don't have a real preference yet. Compound, yes....polish, yes.....wax, no.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for all your help. You taught me how to fish, if you know what I mean. I'm pretty sore too even though I don't think I worked as hard as you.
 
Bucit said:
I used Meguiars Polish and then the Premium Flagship wax with great results. I didn't have any oxidation to speak of so no compounding.
Click to expand...
How come yours doesn't shine like mine then?? And yours is 4 years newer...........:lol: You know I'm just bustin' your ba@#* Perry!!! :smt021
 
plumbhappy said:
I've heard a lot of people say they like the Collinite products.
Click to expand...

The key getting good results with Collinite wax is putting it on a small area with a small hand held rotary tool and then immediately taking it off before it fully dries to a haze. Micro fiber towels are used for removal. It can be nearly impossible to remove if a haze sets up in the sun. The three guys who do my topsides each take a portion of the boat and move very methodically from one area to the next. They also spend a lot of time taping off the nonskid areas before waxing. They use blue painter's tape to avoid getting wax into areas that would be difficult to clean up when the work is done.
 
susanandlance said:
How come yours doesn't shine like mine then?? And yours is 4 years newer...........:lol: You know I'm just bustin' your ba@#* Perry!!! :smt021
Click to expand...
Thi
s is the first year I've tried these two products. Also, my boat sits on a lift in the sun and saltwaer not in a barn. It also has 500 hours on her which means I use it. How many hours on yours? :grin:
 
350, but I don't live on the water...... And when I go for a boat ride it's usually 150+ miles:grin:
 
I've been really happy the last few years with Meguiar's #67 then followed by StarBrite polish with PTEF. BUT!!! Last year I used Finesse It by 3M followed by Starbrite polish with PTEF and really like the results even better.
If you're removing heavier oxidation, start with 3M Super Duty compound before the Finesse It.

There is also tons of information and product debate on this thread. No matter what product you use, it's important to use them in the correct order and I recommend using separate pads to separate the products and not waste your elbow grease.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...nd-After?highlight=Polishing+before+and+after

Before
24eee6b4.jpg


After
5851b72d.jpg
 
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