Which Boat Wax Should I Choose?
To obtain professional boat detailing results, all you need are the right combination of boat detailing products, tools and effort. The final stage of boat detailing is the application of a quality boat wax or sealant - how do you choose which is right for you?
The debate between whether you should wax your boat, use a boat sealant or add nothing to the surface of your yacht has been on going for years, however many of the arguments point in the same direction - whatever you choose, you should choose something to protect the surface of your boat - so boat detailing is a must!
- If you have a gel coat boat - Gel coat is a polyester resin with color pigmentation. Environmental conditions such as salt, pollution and largely UV light from the sun will break down and attack the surface of your gel coat and result in a chalky residue known as boat oxidation (once the surface of your boat starts to dull you have already left it too late! Your gel coat has begun to deteriorate so immediately apply proptection). Some form of protection must be applied in order to help reduce these damaging effects and if you ask any professional boat detailer you will be told the best of all is old fasioned boat wax!
The type of boat wax you should use really depends on preference, Caraunuba wax is considered to be the best possible protection and is used in many top brand boat wax products. If your boat has only mild oxidation you may want to consider using a cleaner wax such as 3M restorer & wax, however if your boat is highly oxidized (place your hand on the surface, if a chalk residue is passed to your hand then it is highly oxidized) then you may need to remove the boat oxidation first with a quality marine rubbing compound.
- If you have a painted boat - Quality boat paints will not oxidize the same as gel coat, however the life of paint can still be increased by addition some form of protection which can be in the form of boat wax or boat sealant. The results will be similar, however it is believed once you begin to apply wax, you will need to contine this upkeep. This is true, but the best was to protect the surface of your boat is to apply fresh protection every 3-6 months anyway.
At the end of the day, when detailing your boat, select the type of boat wax, or marine sealant your prefer, or talk to a professional boat detailer for advice.
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