rubble Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 My boat is 11 years old now and it looks showroom new. It hasn't spent a lot of time on the water or in the sun. Even when we had it in a slip, it was covered so not much sun. Wondering if I need to do anything to help protect the finish? I've read about guys waxing the boat to give the finish new life. Not sure that mine needs new life but I do want to take care of preventative items as needed. Is it a good idea to wash and wax/polish? What is the best product(s) to use? Recall a thread long ago about some using Zaino? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Food Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Many products you can use. I would... 1. Wash with boat soap and dry, 2. Use Collinite Fiberglass boat cleaner No. 920, 3. Wax using Collinite Fleetwax No. 885. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CG RYAN Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I have had great results with the star brite marine polish. I have also used the cleaner wax as well prior to the polish. I have tried lots of products and nothing has held up to the elements like the star brite polish. I put it on my Hull in April and it still beads like new. I use the boat at least 10 times a month too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFE CUMMINS 6.7 Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Starbrite Marine Polish with PTEF x2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I use Rejex polymer coating instead of wax. Last much longer between applications. I also use their corrosionX products. http://www.rejex.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfish Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I use the collinite cleaner and wax as mentioned above but only if it really needs it like once every couple years. Good stuff but not easiest to work with. It's a full day's work for me I'll prob get laughed at for this but new finish in orange bottle is awesome for a "everyday wax". It's some sort of polymer coating that lasts longer than any wax I've used and is easy as can be to put on. I've read it's basically the same stuff as rejex, just cheaper, but not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 First step is, use it more. Then twice a year apply wax of choice, I like Collinite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulligan Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 About once a year I give it a good polish, including the non-skid, followed by waxing. Then every few months it get waxed. Every trip out it gets washed down good and air the hatches out. About every 2-3 times out I pull the stuff out of the hatches and clean those. I have had good luck with Collinite wax, Miguaires polish or the 3M. I really like the Starbrite non-skid cleaner for the every trip cleaner. My boats home is in a shed and also has a cover most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I have to give the nod to woody's wax. I've heard a lot of guys on the forum rave about it, so I finally tried it out. It is great! Easy to apply and works for both the non-skid and the hull. Just make sure you use it sparingly on the non-skid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I suppose everyone has their favorite wax/polish. I use Starbrite Marine Polish with PTEF and Rejex. Also use Woodys wax on the decks and floor. Even though your boat is on a lift and covered, it gets reflecting sun which is hard on the finish. I think the secrete is not which wax or polish us use, but doing it often enough to protect the finish from the sun. Another thing to remember; use a quality boat or vehicle soap with a little vinegar added. The vinegar helps prevent water spots. Never use dish washing detergent (like Dawn). It will remove the wax/polish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I use Rejex on outer hull and center console....woody wax on all floor and deck surfaces on inside of hull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Orpine wash and wax is great for washing after each trip for the outside and inside. My detailer suggested it and its awesome, it is expensive at 20 or so dollars for a small bottle but you only need a capful for my entire boat Hewes 18 redfisher inside and out. very concentrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I am a zaino guy. I use it on my cars and boats. Super stuff and easy to use. I would defer to Ron in Atlanta but I wash it and use their wax with accelerator once or twice a year. I use woody's on the non skid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted February 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 So you don't treat the nonskid surfaces the same as the smooth fiberglass? And the hull glass is treated different than the interior glass(vertical surfaces)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I Zaino everything except the non skid. Woodys only on non skid. Woodys has a lower shine level but does a great job protecting the non skid and making clean up easy. I use woodys deck wash and wax every other time I wash the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfish Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 30 minutes ago, rubble said: So you don't treat the nonskid surfaces the same as the smooth fiberglass? And the hull glass is treated different than the interior glass(vertical surfaces)? Only wax I use on my non skid is whatever is in the wash n wax. Only because it's too hard to apply and remove for me and makes it slippery which is, well kinda counter productive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 My 1991 hull is pretty faded..spent a bunch of money over the years (since I got) trying to bring out the shine...I use Woody Wax on the metal (poling platform), I wash with Orpine, I've tried waxes, compounds, spray on products... well it still looks like crap, but I've noticed the fish don't seem to care . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 13 hours ago, johnd said: My 1991 hull is pretty faded..spent a bunch of money over the years (since I got) trying to bring out the shine...I use Woody Wax on the metal (poling platform), I wash with Orpine, I've tried waxes, compounds, spray on products... well it still looks like crap, but I've noticed the fish don't seem to care . Once your boat gets to a certain point you need to start actually removing material to get the shine back, read this: http://www.fiberglassics.com/RESTORATION/RESTORING-GEL-COAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I only fish the Glades where the water is very tanic and it stains gel coat pretty bad. At the direction of the yacht detailing company rep that services our boat yard, here's what I do for a complete detail......to strip all contaminants I start by washing the hull with Dawn and scrubbing the topside with a mixture of Dawn & a splash of bleach. Then I spray a mixture of CLR and vinegar on the hull, let it sit for about 20 minutes then wipe and hose it off to get rid of the tanic stains. After that I use Star Brite cleaner wax followed by Star Brite polish on the hull, motor, console, fwd and rear bulkheads. Woody wax only on the deck. My hull usually looks amazing for 8-9months and the deck lasts 3-4 months before I have to reapply Woodys. I'm actually way overdue to get this project done but the fish could care less how good the boat looks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 54 minutes ago, conocean said: I only fish the Glades where the water is very tanic and it stains gel coat pretty bad. At the direction of the yacht detailing company rep that services our boat yard, here's what I do for a complete detail......to strip all contaminants I start by washing the hull with Dawn and scrubbing the topside with a mixture of Dawn & a splash of bleach. Then I spray a Quote mixture of CLR and vinegar on the hull, let it sit for about 20 minutes then wipe and hose it off to get rid of the tanic stains. After that I use Star Brite cleaner wax followed by Star Brite polish on the hull, motor, console, fwd and rear bulkheads. Woody wax only on the deck. My hull usually looks amazing for 8-9months and the deck lasts 3-4 months before I have to reapply Woodys. I'm actually way overdue to get this project done but the fish could care less how good the boat looks! What's your witch's brew ratio?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I put half of a 28oz bottle of CLR in a 24oz industrial spray bottle with about 4oz of vinegar and fill with water. Spray it on the hull evenly with more emphasis where the stains are bad. Let sit for 15-20mins (not in direct sunlight!), wipe and spray with hose thoroughly. Repeat for really bad stained hull. Make sure all the film is gone before waxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted February 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 Great info here. Thanks for all of the suggestions. Might be a good topic for the Favorites section as glass care comes up from time to time when talking about renovations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 12 hours ago, jason p said: Once your boat gets to a certain point you need to start actually removing material to get the shine back, read this: http://www.fiberglassics.com/RESTORATION/RESTORING-GEL-COAT Very good article. Thank you. All this I should do...but when would I have time to fish?😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Fish?? Wrong forum, man! We are all here to admire our pretty boats! How could you possibly go fishing in a dirty boat anyway???? Wouldn't the fish just laugh at you? Fish. . . Seriously? Sheesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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