What is the verdict Wax Or Polish/Sealant?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RM
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Another option is to use Leverage after you have cleaned the surface with Buff Magic. Apply the Leverage by spraying it on a towel and wiping it on, then take a clean towel and buff to a bright, slick finish. When you are done with your applicator towel, place it in a zip lock bag for the next use, this way you don't waste product "loading" up the cloth. Leverage is pretty new to the market but what a great product. You will probably wind up getting it online, limited availability over the counter.
 
Do you need to use the Buff Magic if you don't have oxidation? Or is it just better to be sure and clean with the Buff Magic before using the Leverage?
 
If you gel looks new I would skip the buff magic, no need to get that crazy. Wait for the day (hopefully it never comes) that you need to use Buff Magic and use it then.
 
I did my boat last year with Buff Magic and it turned out great. I used 3M wax over it. I am going to go with the pro polish this year. The boat looked good in the fall when hauled out. Do you think I need to do Buff Magic again or can I use a cleaner to remove the wax and then polish?
 
I have a wooden boat so all of the exterior surfaces are either varnish or gloss Pettit EasyPoxy or Interlux Brightsides paint. I only use Blue Coral Car Wash Concentrate: wash, wipe with a damp towel and buff with dry towel. Leaves a beading polymer coating and an incredible shine. Everyone comments on the shine on my boat, even with 1-year old varnish and 8-year old paint. That was entirely the Blue Coral. I also use it on the Isenglass and on the Hypalon Achilles between 303 applications.

For the stainless or chromed brass it's Meguiar's All Metal Polish.
 
Dritter, if you wash the boat with Dawn it will reomve all of the wax, easy.

If the boat still has a great deep shine, you might be able skip it as well.

If you want to do another go with the buff magic, I'm sure the boat will just keep getting better and better.

The stuff is the best out there, Pro Polish is very good too.
 
I was impressed with the Buff Magic!! I have to agree it is the best out there. I will look at it in the spring and see, but I think it should be good to go with just a polish. Of course, I am picky and if I just polish I will be kicking myself in the butt all summer for not doing both steps.
 
Its like shopping for cold medicine , soooo many brands all claiming to preform the best, i owned a boat repair business for years and found the only means of obtaining a good shine topside or hull is hard work! the oxidation needs to be removed first, then a light polish to remove swirl marks then a high grade wax...2 coats. The best products ( and i've used them all ) that withstand the South Carolina sun are made by 3M , Super Duty compound with a variable speed polisher/sander ( Milwaukee w/ 3M foam pad) then wash well, then Finesse polish again w/ slow speed wheel. NOTE: Compound & polish applied by hand,only use wheel to remove product. For hulls i use Collinite Aircraft Wax , topside, depending on surface,Maguires Caranuba 2 coats hand applied and machine removed. Do Not do topside in brite sun, heat makes wax almost impossible to remove. Ive done everything from 30 yr old boats to new prep for Boat Shows and haven't had disappointing results yet. Forget all these "1 step elixirs " Garbage! want the best job? work for it ! Steve.
 
Jonathan, I think the operative words in Steve's post are "work for it!" No question 3M has a helluva line of products, all do what they are designed to do and give great results. What they do not tell you, but you soon find out, is they are difficult products to work with. So then it becomes a matter of attitude and your approach to the job at hand.

Looks like Steve has a lot of background experience, I hope he continues to post so we can draw on it. Having used lots of products he can verify/substantiate the comparisons we often have. I look forward to Mike and Steve having a discussion here come Spring. BTW, it's spelled Meguiar's.
 
I agree George, I've used the 3M stuff for over 15 years but have been shown the light.........finally.......I'm getting older and look forward to less work, not more.

Then I discovered Buff Magic....................

Jonathan
 
To SLW,

Last fall I purchased 303 cleaner and 303 protectant but never got around to using them. My top and drop curtains are not cloth but more of a vinyl material. The bottle of cleaner says to use to clean vinyl but the bottle of protectant says not to use on vinyl products. What gives? I was able to return to West for full refund. The salesman told me the protectant was designed for clothlike material like Sunbrella
 
Buff Magic...Nope cant say i have,but i will try anything once,I've found that being a stickler for only one product can limit the scope of my work,So I'll buy some and give it a try.Understand i'm not attempting to balk at other products but that, with experience i've found what works. " BTW, it's spelled Meguiar's." I stand corrected, Thanks. Steve
 
Reinbuilt, I'm not sure what happened there. I'm not surprised that a West Marine clerk offered bad information, but I can't explain what you saw on the label. 303 Aerospace Protectant, with the blue label, is specifically designed for vinyl and I would NOT use it on fabrics. It has very similar properties to "Armour All", read: a little greasy! I'd be concerned that it would stain fabric.

I have a bottle of their cleaner. It will probably be my last. It works well enough, but Subrella's own directions suggest cleaning with water only on a regular basis, and then using a mild laundry soap like Woolite for thorough cleanings.
 
Yeah, that's probably what happened, but the fabric product doesn't have "Protectant" in its name. It's called "High Tech Fabric Guard"
 
Sorry guys,

It was Fabric Guard that I bought. The salesman called it a "protectant". I'll try the cleaner this spring and see how that works and then come back with the 303 Aerospace Protectant. Would it be ok to clean this top inplace of should I take it off for cleaning? Thanks for your help.
 
I have used Poliglow for 4 seasons now, on a 1998 Searay EC 37. It looks fabulous.
 
Johnathan, just spent about $100 on Buff mMagic and Pro polish on your say so. I'll let you know.
 
Buff Magic is unbelievable!! I used 3m wax last year with buff magic and it worked good. I wished I would have used pro polish. I am doing that this year.
 
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