Waxing while in the slip

[Loose Cannon]

Hello all,

I am a newbie and proud owner of a white/blue 2006 240 Sundancer. The boat has been launched and is in my slip. Had the bottom painted, outdrive serviced, and a sea trial during the purchase process.

At this point, I realize I never had a chance to wax the boat before launch. It will be very difficult to use a a buffer, even on the upper surfaces, although I can probably hand wax some of the boat. I noticed some minor oxidation parts of the white gelcoat.

What are your recommendations? Should I wax what I can get to by hand and wax lower surfaces next time I can get in the water next to the boat? Will one season of not waxing the boat cause any permanent damage? If you have any recommendations for wax products, that would help as well.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Scott

 

[Hampton]

That boat is small enough to pull out on a trailer for a day and wax it - even if you have to borrow one. You won't have any damage if you don't do it, but the work goes up exponentially the longer you wait. Sure, do some by hand. The part that takes the most sun should be the easiest to access from the deck.

Don't get in the water and do it unless you're doing it by hand, STS.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

In my foolish youth, I used a rotary buffer while laying down on the finger dock to wax the hull. Nothing bad happened, but in hindsight it probably was NOT the smartest thing. It's that thing about "electricity and water"...

Anyway - I would not suggest using AC power tools while hovering inches over water.

 

[Dave S]

Scott,

A lot of what you can do depends on your docking facility. My 260DA is in a covered dock with finger piers on either side. I regulalrly wax everything above the rub rail right in my slip using my orbital buffer but pull the boat out to do the hull. Most of the time it is the upper deck that needs frequent waxing and is more prone to oxidize without regular care.

Dave

 

[magster65]

A lot of what you can do depends on your docking facility. My 260DA is in a covered dock with finger piers on either side. I regulalrly wax everything above the rub rail right in my slip using my orbital buffer but pull the boat out to do the hull.

Dave

Ditto :thumbsup:

 

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

 

[island trek1]

I use a buffer before my boat goes in the water. During the year I touch it up by hand. I go to the beach and anchor in 4 feet of water and wax the hull. I would imagine I could get a battery oprerated buffer but i don't know how powerful they are.

 

[Ka1oxd]

I do from the rub rail down on land before launch. If I have time before launch I try and get the top deck done. If not, there are many evenings on the boat when I will get on top and wax. I use a buffer all the time.

 

[Jamzach]

I do the same. From the rub rail down out of the water and everything above gets done by hand several times during the season. On the days when it's blowing to hard it helps pass the time stuck in the slip. It's very theraputic (sp)

 

[Take Five]

I've done waxing by hand while on slip.. but no electric buffer.. water and electric don't mix.. If you can, pull your boat and use the electric to wax your hull.. much safer that way..

 

[HUMPH]

As long as you follow the codes and are plugged into a tested GFCI outlet it is safe to use power tools close to the water. The problem arrises when/if the tool is dropped into the water. You won't get hurt but you will have to open the casing and dry the polisher out.

It is tough on the body to lay on the dock and buff but if you do a bit at a time and take breaks to stretch it's not bad especially on a 24' boat that is polish friendly!

 

[Bottom Line]

I have fingers on both sides. I polish/wax mine every year, while in the water. Just be careful. I do use a cheapo rotary buffer from Harbor Freight, just incase it does get wet. Our decking is concrete blocks and my hip bones are generally sore the next day from lying down on my sides.

 

[hemibird]

Ive waxed my own boat for years with a buffer in my slip and have never had any problems. I make it a point to keep the cord attached to the bow rail so if the buffer falls it will not go into the water. A bit more time consuming this way but safer. Also, using a buffer works much better than waxing by hand. Wax needs heat to "melt" into the gelcoat.