Wax/Buff Hull

Appreciate all the comments! You guys have motivated me to do it myself. What products do you all recommend?

I mean everyone has their preferences. Depending on oxidation levels you'll either want to start with a combo compound/wax, or a straight compound. I find that in most cases (90+%) that a compound/wax combo such as 3M's is more than adequate. You'll want to apply nice and thick by hand in small sections, get a little on your wheel, and then buff at low-ish (1000-1500 RPM's) back and forth till you see the shine. Do the same with a high quality wax after, then the same with a non-abrasive polish to seal it all. (you won't need so much polish) Finish it by buffing with a very slightly moist (I hate that word too) microfibre cloth by hand to eliminate any buffing/wax swirls. I used 3m products in the spring, and my boat still beads water.
 
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Appreciate all the comments! You guys have motivated me to do it myself. What products do you all recommend?
There are lots of opinions posted on this site if you search a little. I just gave you mine which I have been following for about 40 years. It is important to buy good equipment. My wheel is 40 years old and still works like it did many years ago. Some of the Japanese buffing wheels are good but they are not cheap. It is a mistake to buy a cheap brand because they fail in the middle of a job. Buy good quality once and use it for years.
 
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Appreciate all the comments! You guys have motivated me to do it myself. What products do you all recommend?
Just one other thought to pass along. Read the posts concerning boat soaps so you don't ruin your hard work and end up waxing again during the boating season. Stay away from boat store "boat soaps" as they will undo your work.
 
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Just one other thought to pass along. Read the posts concerning boat soaps so you don't ruin your hard work and end up waxing again during the boating season. Stay away from boat store "boat soaps" as they will undo your work.

Great advice.
 
As others have said, you'll get a LOT of opinions on what combination of wax and cleaner and soap to use.

Me, I go the simple route. I'm not so much interested in a finish you can use as a mirror as I am a finish that will protect the gelcoat finish from our 110* sun as well as the infrequent rain and the infrequent snow storms we get. Here's what I have used on all my boats for the past ~40 years and have been very satisfied with it.

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Take a look at my boat a few posts above. Yes, it's kept under cover, but it's also a 23 year old boat that I have owned for 8 years.

When I wax I do it with a Makita buffer running on low speed. I don't skimp on the wax, applying it generously then buffing it into the surface until the wax is well rubbed in. Then I move on to the next section and repeat the process.

When the second section has a good coat of wax I go back to the first section with clean, old towels that I buy at Goodwill. I wipe off the light, powdery residue which is easy to do because it's completely dry.

The hardest part of doing my boat when it's on the hard is getting up under the bow flare and the pulpit. I had to use an 8' step ladder and was still waxing over my head.

That's a lot of hull and a lot of trips up and down the ladder and a lot of reaching up overhead before it's done. It takes me about a week, working 4-5 hours each day to do a good bottom coat and a good wax job. I could finish it faster but 4-5 hours is about all this old body can handle before it revolts.

I'm too much of a cheapa$$ to pay some yard monkey $30/foot to do it, plus, I enjoy putzing around on the boat.
 
I'll get chastised for this but the Harbor Freight buffer for about $30 is hard to beat. I used to use it for my mobile marine business and I assure you it's probably buffed more boats and cars than most will see in a lifetime and it's still clicking away. Knock on wood I haven't even changed the brushes yet. Get some decent wool pads that will last and go to town.
 
Like everyone has stated just like in the car world that I also live in when you ask which oil do you use in your car just hold on tight as everyone has an opinion. Here is mine. To get you Gelcoat back (wet sanding not needed) then Buff Magic is very hard to beat (made by Shurhold). I have also switched to Shurhold’s pads and chemicals. I have used 3M and Starbrite in the past with great Results. BTW I am a district manager for one of the large industrial distributors and I have many OEM automotive MFG’s as customers and I can tell you without a doubt 3M owns the OEM MFG world in paint finishing.
 
I use only Presta products. Their Polish for most everything I do above the rub-rail. It's light abrasive is good enough for that. Abrasive increases through their Cutting Creme Light, then Cutting Creme, then Compund, then Super Cut. I stopped trying to do below the rub rail when in the water. Just too hard and awkward for me to get good leverage to do a good job. I hire that part out now to someone I found that does it great.
 
We pay $30 a foot in Chattanooga for a compound and wax. They do a great job - when we arrive in
FL everybody wants to know who did it. My 70+ year old body doesn't do it anymore!

Wait..... Carter..... Are you saying you are over 70 years old? I'm more interested in your diet! I never would have guessed it......you are aging very well my friend......Cheers
 
Appreciate all the comments! You guys have motivated me to do it myself. What products do you all recommend?
You do realize most of these pictures have been photoshopped. :)
 
You'll want to apply nice and thick by hand in small sections, get a little on your wheel, and then buff at low-ish (1000-1500 RPM's) back and forth till you see the shine. Do the same with a high quality wax after, then the same with a non-abrasive polish to seal it all.

You mean Compound, Polish then Wax...right?
 
You do realize most of these pictures have been photoshopped. :)

This was last winter.. For the first time ...I paid to have the boat compounded and waxed... In the pics it looked awesome in a building (pics taken by Wax guy)...Come launch day 8 weeks later..In day light it looked like crap....swirls... hazy...it was just awful ....problem is I paid based off these pics....never again. If I am too old to take care of the boat then I should get rid of it

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