Some pre-launch waxing questions

N

NY Weasel

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Joined
Jul 16, 2003
RO Number
11933
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270
Despite my good intentions to thoroughly clean and wax the boat prior to launch, I find myself cutting corners prior to my launch date, usually due to colder than expected weather, or the marina rushing me in the water.

Last year the boat went in the water looking brand new, with a good coat of wax on it. I do not have finger slips so the bow hull section never saw a good soap cleaning throughout last season. The boat was pulled at the end of November, and again didn't get the good bath it deserved, just pulled and wrapped. I did manage to wax the topsides, and completely clean the cockpit and wax it.

Fast forward to this year, the boat is buried at the marina, and I think I have one afternoon to prep it prior to my 3/26 launch.

I purchased the Harbor Freight polisher, plus I have a small orbital polisher.

Here are the questions...

If time or weather is against me, do I need to compound or use Finesse II on the boat (2002)prior to waxing, or should I go with a good wash, followed by a cleaner (please recommend easy to apply brand), then wax?

I had good intentions of using the Collinite Fleetwax paste, but the colder weather made it a bear to put on. Am I nuts to use something like sterno to warm it up for easier application?

Last dumb question, how the heck should I apply the paste? Can I use the smaller orbital with a foam pad to apply, then take it off immediately with the HF and a 3M wool or terry cloth pad? Do I apply the wax to the pad first, then make contact with the hull, or smear it on the hull then use the polisher? I know these questions sound a bit ridiculous, but last year I could barely get the Collinite onto the hull by hand, the product was very hard to work with.

Thanks.
 
This procedure produces great results on my hull. I buy two wool pads at a car parts shop. I apply 3M Finessit II with a clean white terry cloth towell to an area that is about 1'X3' starting at the bow and standing on a ladder. Then I wheel out the 3M stuff over a much larger area as far as I can reach in both directions on the ladder using a wheel turning at 1500 RPMs. It helps if you have helper to hand things to and hand you things you need like more compound. It takes me 6 hours to compound a 3200 Tiara which is about 37' overall. When done compounding, I change the wool pad to a clean one and repeat the process with Mcguire Flagship synthetic wax. By the time you wheel out the wax, it is pretty thin and the residue can be rubbed off with a clean white towell without any difficulty. This has been done two times on the 2004 boat and it is showroom condition when done. Total job takes 12 hours with a good helper.
 
I use a Porter Cable DA with foam pads, one for polish and one for wax. I remove both polish and wax by hand. apply some compound to the pad and smear the stuff onto the fiberglass with the polisher. start polishing. 3M heavy duty oxidation remover and then Finesse-IT II polish and then I use Zaino wax...2 coats.
 
I think liquid wax will work better for me. The fleetwax was like a brick in the can, and not very easy to apply. Assuming my hull is in great shape, with minimal oxidation, I should be able to go with the Finesse-IT II then wax, skipping the heavy compound, right??

Thank God the admiral happens to like waxing, I'll have her apply as I follow behind her.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Another thing to keep in mind about the fleetwax is that if you do not get every single bit of oxidation out of the gel coat, the fleetwax attracts dirt like crazy and will end up turning yellowish over time. Believe me, mid season I had this problem and I never want to do it again, you think that stuff is hard to get out of a can, try getting it off of your gel coat.

I now use Yachtbrite Buff Magic followed by 2 coats of Klasse Sealant Glaze, my boat is a 94 and looks like it just came out of the showroom. The sealant glaze is so easy to get off the boat is should be a sin.
 
quote:
Originally posted by NY Weasel

I think liquid wax will work better for me. The fleetwax was like a brick in the can, and not very easy to apply. Assuming my hull is in great shape, with minimal oxidation, I should be able to go with the Finesse-IT II then wax, skipping the heavy compound, right??

Thank God the admiral happens to like waxing, I'll have her apply as I follow behind her.

Thanks for the advice.

Click to expand...


If you have minimal oxidation then just Finnese-it II and then your wax. After Finnese-It II, If you look at your gelcoat from an angle, and you see what looks like a patchy cloudy finish, that's your oxidation.
 
A fine compound like Finesse gives you a better shine than heavy duty compounds because the scratches made by the compound are smaller. If you need heavy compounding use it. Then follow up with fine before waxing. After that, keep it up and you should be good to go with just Finesse and a wax that you like.
 
Great advice, I think I'll be OK. I got to say, based on testimony from many boaters, the Collinite Fleetwax is a superior product, that is recommended frequently here. When I bought the can for $18 at the marine store, the saleman said, "make sure the boat is 100% clean, or it will seal in the dirt." That, and the comments from Carver370 make me wonder if this product should be left to the pros. Just food for thought for those who read the wax topics, and are novice detailers.
 
The fleetwax held the dirt on my boat and yellowed after about 3 months. My boat has NO oxidation and I was it at least once a week but more likely 2 times a week. The product made the boat look amazing at first and the shine was incredible but I don't like stripping wax off the boat in the middle of summer and reapplying. Most professional detailers will not use fleetwax just for that reason, too hard to get off the boat and very time consuming.
 
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