Wax Recommendation

[craigwitt]

I just stripped and buffed my boat and need to reapply wax. Can anyone recommend a good wax to put back on? Freshwater boat, 99 310 Sea Ray Sundancer.
Thanks!

 

[Tonka Boater]

This is what I use -- it goes on easy and leaves a really deep shine.

http://www.starbrite.com/productdet...e Polishes&ProductSSCat=Marine Waxes & Polish'

 

[390x]

I used to use the Starbrite. I liked it alot at the time, then somewhere along the way it started leaving a haze for me after I took it off. It was still as smooth as glass, but I couldn't get rid of that haze. It was especially bad on colors. After that I started using Meguiars high tech yellow wax. It's easy to come by here. I've used every wax known to man. I've not really found anything that worked better than anything else. There is no silver bullet. All of them need to be applied at least a few times a year to maintain protection.

 

[Escapade]

Collinite's 925 Fiberglass Boat wax. Used it for years and have had plenty positive comments on the gloss. Two coats on entire boat.

 

[Carver370]

Rejex has been a favorite of mine for a while now. I love it.

 

[searay40dad]

Collinite's 925 Fiberglass Boat wax. Used it for years and have had plenty positive comments on the gloss. Two coats on entire boat.

Close...Collinite 920 pre-cleaner followed by 885 fleet wax paste. The paste wax is worth the extra effort.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I used to use the Starbrite. I liked it alot at the time, then somewhere along the way it started leaving a haze for me after I took it off. It was still as smooth as glass, but I couldn't get rid of that haze. It was especially bad on colors. After that I started using Meguiars high tech yellow wax. It's easy to come by here. I've used every wax known to man. I've not really found anything that worked better than anything else. There is no silver bullet. All of them need to be applied at least a few times a year to maintain protection.

Had the same issue with Starbrite Polish. The Starbrite Cleaner/Wax looked great, then I applied Starbrite Polish (as recommended for added protection) and had issues with haze. Tried Shurhold buffer and applying by hand, tried several different wait times (to ensure polish was dry enough to wipe off versus waiting too long), applied in the morning out of direct sun, etc. Maybe it was me; however, I plan to use Starbrite Cleaner Wax without adding SB Polish or go to something entirely different this season.

I must say though, I was impressed with the protection and length of time the combination of SB Cleaner Wax and Polish lasted. Too bad about the haze.

 

[Sum Escape]

Collinite's 925 Fiberglass Boat wax. Used it for years and have had plenty positive comments on the gloss. Two coats on entire boat.

+1 on the Collinite. I use this rub rail down and the paste Collinite fleetwax above the rail. Great products....great shine and durability.

 

[Sum Escape]

Close...Collinite 920 pre-cleaner followed by 885 fleet wax paste. The paste wax is worth the extra effort.

+1. And the paste really isn't any extra effort because you wipe it off when it is still damp. Two costs go on very quickly just by hand once the hull is cleaned with the 920 pre cleaner (or 3M Finesse It if removing some oxidatio first).

 

[craigwitt]

Thanks everyone, As always, I appreciate the information.

 

[Alex F]

Guys, I never used Star brite products, but isn't the bottle you're referring to state "Marine Polish"? I always separate the steps. Polish is one application and wax is another. Perhaps to answer OP's question (about wax application) this could be the product? http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=1434&ProductCat=Marine&ProductSCat=Marine Polishes&ProductSSCat=Marine Waxes %26 Polish

or this: http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=1683&ProductCat=Marine&ProductSCat=Marine Polishes&ProductSSCat=Marine Waxes %26 Polish

When prepping the boat for new season in spring I do it 3 steps: 1-compound (if needed in some spots), 2-polish, 3-wax. So, this is where I think cleaner wax is not necessary (everything should be already clean and shining). So, regular wax should be good enough. However, for repeat application within couple of months cleaner wax might be better to use.

Just my .02c.

 

[390x]

I'm with Alex. You don't need/want, cleaner wax after compounding and polishing. It'll likely dull the surface. Use cleaner wax only if you have extremely light oxidation and you want to try skipping compounding. However, IMO, the results with the cleaner wax are never that great. There isn't a subsititution for compounding.

 

[Carver370]

Alex, the Starbrite polish takes the place of any wax. It its a polymer protectent. No wax after the Star Brite polish.

 

[Alex F]

Alex, the Starbrite polish takes the place of any wax. It its a polymer protectent. No wax after the Star Brite polish.

That's strange. Why would they have those other wax products I mentioned? It sounds like the Starbrite polish is like all in one step?

I use MEGUIARS and they have product like that: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50218&subdeptNum=50278&classNum=50279

I got away from one step products as I didn't feel they were holding up long enough. So, I use separate steps:
Step 1 = #91 or #67 or #44 (depending on the oxidation level)
Step 2 = #45
Step 3 = Pure Wax which I replaced with Flagship Premium Marine Wax for the past couple of years.

Last year I thought that Flagship Premium Marine Wax didn't hold as long as I would like (it was holding up great for about 1-1.5 months, but then I could see that it was loosing it's quality), so I'm in the search for something better. I waxed the boat twice, ones in spring and then in mid summer. She was due for another wax in September, but I knew the season is coming to the end and didn't do 3rd wax job.

 

[kkalsch]

I have not found anything that lasts as long as the Starbrite Polish..............

 

[Alex F]

You tell 'em Ray.

Alex, you need to get into the 21st century my friend, your knowledge of polish is about 30 years behind.

:lol:.....Bring it on Scotty, I'm here to learn.

Seriously guys, if you used MEGUIARS and found better way to get better results I'll be happy to try. I love working on my boat, but doing 3 coats on 45' boat is not something enjoy doing few times a season. It takes just way too long.

BTW, when I was picking up my boat from seller's marina the service guys were detailing one of the yachts. I paused to see what they do and how they do it. Guess what I saw. They took the same MEGUIARS products I use, but they mixed them by pouring some of POLISH and some of WAX at the same time on the hull and used the rotory buffer. We're talking about the yard that services big bucks yachts (mine was on the "cheap" side of the house).

 

[JimFromMD]

Anyone ever tried any of the Zaino Brothers products? They are top notch on cars... haven't tried on fiberglass though.

 

[390x]

Zaino is top notch stuff, but since it isn't the easiest for me to get, and because I'm constanly waxing anyway, I don't bother with it.

 

[cod]

Alex,

I guess I'm old school too..... because I do the same 3 step proccess... I compound first with "Presta" Gel Coat Compound. Used it for the 1st time last year based on a recommendation from a profesional detailer on this forum. It worked great. Then I polish with Meguires polish which brings out a high gloss smooth finish and finally I wax with Collinites # 925 wax which is a protectant. After application the fiberglass beads which tells me she is protercted. My understanding is that polishes do not protect.

 

[Alex F]

Steve,

Are you happy with Collinites # 925 results? Do you have to re-apply the wax any other time during the season?