Boat polishing ...necessary?

[Vara]

With boats coming out of the water, lots of articles and questions about polishing hulls.

Is it really necessary to maintain the boat or is it just an aesthetic thing?

 

[prv]

Aesthetic, if you want a shiny hull.

Pete

 

[colingr]

I see it as putting a layer of wax over it to protect it against the ravages of winter.

 

[VicS]

I see it as putting a layer of wax over it to protect it against the ravages of winter.

Most people though do the polishing and waxing thing as part of the spring fit out, rather than as part of winterisation, so that it gooks good during the summer.

Article in one of the December Mobo comics and also a short YouTube video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOtUhiCJzyE&feature=player_embedded

 

[gjgm]

With boats coming out of the water, lots of articles and questions about polishing hulls.

Is it really necessary to maintain the boat or is it just an aesthetic thing?

Wax will have UV protection, which will help stop the gel colour fading. But wax wont last very long or work very well unless you prepare/correct the underlying surface.
Muck,dirt etc will clean off better on a well maintained surface, meaning it is then also easier to keep clean.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Wax will have UV protection,

I would be very surprised if wax provides much by way of UV protection.

 

[colingr]

Most people though do the polishing and waxing thing as part of the spring fit out, rather than as part of winterisation, so that it gooks good during the summer.

I do it then as well but just a polish up.

 

[prv]

I would be very surprised if wax provides much by way of UV protection.

Interestingly, Awlgrip say not to wax their finishes. Or rather, they say

Waxing with a wax which contains no abrasives or cleaners will probably not hurt the surface, but at the same time offers no benefit.

Pete

 

[gjgm]

I would be very surprised if wax provides much by way of UV protection.

Well, I just checked on a few common ones, and they all say so !

 

[pvb]

I do it then as well but just a polish up.

What does it look like after you've polished it?

 

[colingr]

What does it look like after you've polished it?

It goes back to a nice dull, non-reflective finish. Much easier on the eyes.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I was told years ago that polishing damages the paintwork on a car so I've never polished (or in fact washed) my car since. It doesn't seem to look any the worse for it.

 

[johnalison]

I haven't polished my car for years, though I use an Autoglym product that is just wipe on - wipe off. It helps it shed water.

As for my boat. I prefer to clean and polish it as I have found that I am more likely to be welcome alongside or in harbour. Also, I know that I will have to sell it one day and a clean boat will sell more readily except for someone looking for a "project".

I am no expert on polishing, nor a fetishist about it but use a solid boat wax followed by a liquid and easily applied wax sealant, which claims UV resisting properties. The solid wax is the result of experience spilling expensive liquid stuff onto the boatyard concrete, which does not need polishing.

 

[Jamesuk]

Two thoughts pretty boat, broken boat or dirty boat, working boat.

Spend the time on the engine and equipment than cleaning, unless you dont plan to leave the marina

 

[pvb]

Best stuff I've found is Meguiars. I only clean and polish my boat every 2 years, so I need a decent polish. Meguiars #45 Polish is great stuff - very easy to apply and polishes off easily. For best results, I polish it twice, then treat it with Meguiars #56 Pure Wax, which again is very easy to use. I do my 35-footer by hand without too much effort. I first heard about Meguiars when I asked the guys at Fox's yard what they used to polish the Oysters on display.

 

[bigwow]

With boats coming out of the water, lots of articles and questions about polishing hulls.

Is it really necessary to maintain the boat or is it just an aesthetic thing?

How else are you going to keep fit when not sailing?

 

[bitbaltic]

With boats coming out of the water, lots of articles and questions about polishing hulls.

Is it really necessary to maintain the boat or is it just an aesthetic thing?

Aesthetic, thus essential. Will do it in spring before the season starts. Waste of time at season's end.

 

[bitbaltic]

What does it look like after you've polished it?

Something moving very quickly away from you. Hopefully

 

[mcframe]

I only clean and polish my boat every 2 years,

Cleaning is one thing, I've had a go at polishing a couple of time in the past, but not really seen the benefit.

However, a 'once-a-decade' £450 quid 'repair the gelcoat dings and machine polish' by a pro easily makes the boat look worth at least a grand more.

A bit like the effect of £60 of vinyl coachlines and new lettering and 2 hours to apply them.

 

[colingr]

Something moving very quickly away from you. Hopefully

Sigh