What is the verdict Wax Or Polish/Sealant?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RM
  • Start date Start date
R

RM

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
468
Messages
325
So I have heard recently that the way to go is a polish/sealant vs the traditional waxing. Have always used Collinite with good results but thinking about trying a polish/sealant. Any recommendations?

The wax has worked well on the hullsides, but worthless on the deck/cabintop.

Boat is a 1988 Tiara 31

Thanks
 
I use Aurora with results I like. The Sure Step (non-skid) is more of a satin finish. Not the result one would want, however, it's like applying Topsiders to your deck. The three step hull side process is as bright as wax with very little dirt attraction associated with it.

Mrs. Robinson just finished detailing his boat with Yachtbrite Buff Magic and she looks as if she just came off the show room floor.
 
I've tried several different cleaner/wax products from various manufacturers and settled on Aurora Premium Boat Shine for the past two seasons.

If your hull is oxidized,you'll have to remove the oxidation and any wax prior to applying the Boat Shine. I used Aurora Boat Scrub to remove the oxidation. The Boat Shine held up all season and still looked. Plus, it went on easier and came off easier than any wax product I've used in the past.
 
Ditch the wax and use Buff Magic followed by Pro Polish (both made by Yacht Brite) or Rejex.

Wax yellows and attracts dirt.

YMMV.
 
It's easy to confuse these products because the definitions overlap. If you relate gelcoat care to wood-finishing, we're talking about sanding vs. varnishing.

Some brands will refer to their abrasive products as a "polish", while others say polish to describe a polymer-based alternative to a "wax".

Maybe Greg will chime-in here, but if all he used on the Mrs. Robinson is Buff Magic, he's not finished. In Yacht Brite's terms, Buff Magic is their abrasive product (which has a "polishing action") and Pro-Polish is their polymer protectant aka, waxless wax.
 
I have had great success with the polymer products like Poli-Glow. It last all season and is great for the sides of the boat against the dock. It only last about 6 months on a flat deck surface.
 
Poli-Glow = liquid floor wax like Future etc. You're using Poli-glow on a six year old boat?????
 
I was just on the waterproofing thread and 303 recommends using its 303 AEROSPACE PROTECTANT in place of wax/polish on fiberglass hulls. Interesting.
 
Out of curiosity, I've tried 303 on gelcoat and eisin. I quickly determined that their recommendation was a shameless attempt to get us to consume more of their product.
 
I did poly-Glow once.

Looked exceptionally great when new.

Then...

It yellowed with age.

Not from the sun, as this boat was garage kept on a trailer.

Not easy to remove.

NEVER AGAIN !

RWS
 
I use 3m Finess-it to clean and polish then use Klasse (Sealant) and it comes up very nice. Meguiars also makes a good sealant, name escapes me now I think it has fleet in the name
 
quote:
Originally posted by SLW

Out of curiosity, I've tried 303 on gelcoat and eisin. I quickly determined that their recommendation was a shameless attempt to get us to consume more of their product.

Click to expand...


Please expound. I only want to do this once a season if possible.
 
I have tried all kinds of productson my 1989 topside gelcoat,and all have produced less than spectacular results.UNTIL from a thread I read here I heard about the "Buff Magic/Pro Polish" , And I got to tell you,done with a rotary buffer this stuff WORKS. All previous attempts looked good for about 4 hours.

I did a small area when I hauled the boat,a place where I usually get heavy black streaks from canvas runoff,one side with buff magic and pro polish,the other side with just the usual pure boat wax.Hauled last week in Oct. The buff magic area still looks awesome and the black streaks wipe right away,whereas the other waxed side looks like I've done nothing and the black streaks need some type of cleaner to be removed.

I can hardly wait till spring to finish making the boat look like brand new. It really gives it that "wet look" unlike the streaky dry wax look.

TRY IT
 
303 Protectant on gelcoat is a complete waste of time and money. It's splotchy, uneven and slippery. When the sun hits it, you'll see scratches that you never knew where there. The good side is that it will only last a day or two, so one doesn't have to wait long or worry about removal of the 303 before applying a more appropriate product.

It fairs better on eisinglass. It goes on evenly, and helps hide small scratches and I don't have any reason to doubt the UV protection. I used it for several years until dicovering Plexus. Side by side, these two products seem equally effective, until moisture hits it. Plexus sheets, where-as 303 streaks.

303 is KING on vinyl seating though.
 
I tried the Rejex on a small part of my transom this summer. I had a problem with my engines and was blowing lots of diesel smoke that was hard to clean. I found the Rejex really helped. At the end of a trip, I simply hosed the area and wiped it and it was clean. I don't know how long it will last, but it did make my transom easier to clean up.
 
quote:
Originally posted by SLW

303 Protectant on gelcoat is a complete waste of time and money. It's splotchy, uneven and slippery. When the sun hits it, you'll see scratches that you never knew where there. The good side is that it will only last a day or two, so one doesn't have to wait long or worry about removal of the 303 before applying a more appropriate product.

It fairs better on eisinglass. It goes on evenly, and helps hide small scratches and I don't have any reason to doubt the UV protection. I used it for several years until dicovering Plexus. Side by side, these two products seem equally effective, until moisture hits it. Plexus sheets, where-as 303 streaks.

303 is KING on vinyl seating though.

Click to expand...


Thanks much.
 
Sublimetime,
I am sold on Buff Magic, but have not used Pro Polish. How do you apply and remove the Pro Polish? After Buff Magic I apply and remove Four Season Tree Wax by hand. Always looking for improvements. Thanks.
 
Tim,

You can apply Pro Polish by hand or with a machine. I always try to use a machine, orbit Porter Cable for this. Buff Magic with a rotary makita for me.

Buff Magic and Pro Polish is the best combination I have found so far.

Fineese-It is good but it will burn your gel in a New York second if you are not super careful. Buff Magic is much more forgiving.
 
Tim F i apply the buff magic with a paint brush to a rando, area aout 3'bt 3'then spread it around with the rotary buffer. Work area until buff magic is almost gone(slight haze left behind with wheel marks) then wipe area with clean towel. Apply pro polish with porter cable orbital just to spread it around and work it in,then with a clean(pro polish only) bonnet on the rotary buffer i remove the pro polish to a deep shine. I just visited the boat this past sunday and the parts I did in fall still look awesome. No fade at all, while the places I didn't do seem to have faded out even more already. Great products
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top