Boat Waxing
Waxing your boat not only improves it's appearance - it also protects the surface against attack and makes cleaning easier by reducing the adhesion of dirt.
Your boat's under attack!
UV light, airborne pollution, water, salt and bird droppings continuously attack the paint or gel coat on your boat, destroying the shine. Both paint and grp surfaces are microscopically porous, and the pollutants get into the pores, expanding them and holding further dirt. The problem is particularly acute on Fibreglass boats, where the surface gel coat has little or no protection, even when new. The surface soon dulls, detracting from its appearance and reducing the value of your boat.
Wax protection
When you wax your boat, you add a layer of wax that penetrates the pores in the paint or gel coat. This provides a barrier against further attack, and the wax can be buffed to a shiny finish without damaging the underlying surface. But don't be tempted to use car polish - most contain abrasive compounds that cut into the gel coat. Choose a wax that's matched to your boat:
Carnauba wax
One of the hardest and most long-lasting natural waxes known is carnauba wax, which is harvested from the carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera), native to northeastern Brazil. It's practically insoluble in water, and harder than concrete in its pure form. When applied to your boat, it expands and seals the pores in the gel coat. If you are interested, you can read our technical information on carnauba wax.
Carnauba is the main ingredient in our Best Brazilian Boat Wax and our Traditional Boat Wax
PTFE wax
Polytetrafluoroethylene, generally abbreviated to PTFE is the basis for non-stick cookware, also known by the brand name Teflon. It makes surfaces slippery and non-stick, so it repels dirt, and reduces the friction on your boat. PTFE is a main ingredient in our High-performance Boat Wax, which is a modern polymer blend that combines the dirt-repelling characteristics of PTFE in a high-sheen, protective wax.
What preparation is needed?
The results are better and the wax lasts longer if applied to a clean surface. The ideal preparation is to clean off the surface with BoatSheen Prewax colour restorer. It lifts out dirt and impurities, removes fine scratches, salting, oxidation and old wax residues to restore the true colour.
How long does it last?
Good waxes applied to a properly prepared surface will provide protection for several months and continue to work after the shine has dulled. Some valeters suggest waxing at the beginning and the end of the season, with a regular wash down between with a carnauba or PTFE boat wash. The life of the shine depends on where you keep your boat and what is deposited on it. Aerial pollution, bird droppings, salt and tree sap are all damaging, but if the boat has a good coat of wax, they get less of a grip and can be washed off more easily.
It's also worth remembering, that these pollutants are now attacking the wax, not the surface of the boat. It's much easier to top up the wax than to replace the gel coat or paint.
What about repairs?
If work needs to be done on the paintwork, or repairs made to the fibreglass, it's important to remove any waxy coating first. Don't rely on sanding down, polishing or compounding. Good waxes are designed to stick and spread, so these methods will only result in redistributing it. Clean off any old wax, as well as surface contaminants with BoatSheen Prewax colour restorer, but remember to re-apply the wax afterwards to protect the repaired area.
Can wax restore colour to faded grp?
Yes! The dulling and loss of colour on fibreglass are due mainly to erosion of the surface. The best way to restore the colour is to use BoatSheen Pre-wax colour restorer prior to waxing.