What is the best wax to use

[john m]

I have just polished the hull on my bavaria and now I would like to protect the nice white look of the gelcoat what is the best wax to use ,I would like something I could also leave for a while before buffing it up to a high gloss shine

 

[nigelmercier]

If you asked this on a car detailing forum, you would get dozens of different answers. I'm lazy, so I use a polymer liquid wax on my car, and will do on my boat when I get around to it. Farécla Profile Polymer or Profile UV Wax are good:

http://www.farecla.co.uk/industrial/profile-polymer-wax
http://www.farecla.co.uk/industrial/profile-uv-wax

 

[John_d_Smith]

I've used Boat Life Lifewax for a few years now and it stands up well to the Med sun. If you've not used a wax for a while the grp will soak it up first few times so put plenty on and you'll still have a good shine next season

 

[gjgm]

I have just polished the hull on my bavaria and now I would like to protect the nice white look of the gelcoat what is the best wax to use ,I would like something I could also leave for a while before buffing it up to a high gloss shine

The wax is just the protective film, so how long it lasts will depend more on the preparation than the product.
3m or Maguires are easy to apply with a cloth and rub off, which makes the task easier- actually its very quick. Remember you are just applying a film at this stage, not "polishing" any more;use some cheap microfibre cloths. The waxing takes maybe 1/10 of the time of the polishing.
I would say with a well prepared gelcoat,either of those will bead water for six months on verical surfaces, and a couple,of months on horizontal surfaces, but it is all down to how well you have polished the gel "flat". The wax isnt there to make anything shine.

 

[maby]

Recently tried Mer and it seems good. It's only been on a month, so cannot comment on life expectancy.

 

[Skylark]

If you asked this on a car detailing forum, you would get dozens of different answers. I'm lazy, so I use a polymer liquid wax on my car, and will do on my boat when I get around to it. Farécla Profile Polymer or Profile UV Wax are good:

http://www.farecla.co.uk/industrial/profile-polymer-wax
http://www.farecla.co.uk/industrial/profile-uv-wax

I've used over-priced marine products but now use Auto Glym super resin polish. It's very easy to apply and I reckon it should have the dogs bolox award for results.

 

[maby]

I've used over-priced marine products but now use Auto Glym super resin polish. It's very easy to apply and I reckon it should have the dogs bolox award for results.

I've used Auto Glym on cars and it really does produce great results, but the bottles are quite small and certainly not cheap. I think that using it to polish a thirty foot and up yacht could make you poor!

 

[sailorman]

I have just polished the hull on my bavaria and now I would like to protect the nice white look of the gelcoat what is the best wax to use ,I would like something I could also leave for a while before buffing it up to a high gloss shine

3Ms cleaner wax ot Mguires ditto
do NOT use silicone wax if ever you need to paint the GRP

 

[DipperToo]

I've used Auto Glym on cars and it really does produce great results, but the bottles are quite small and certainly not cheap. I think that using it to polish a thirty foot and up yacht could make you poor!

+1 for Autoglym. Look for the deals at Halfords when they sometimes offer 3 products for the price of 2.

 

[mihtjel]

Collinite 885. It is a hard, traditional wax that supposedly lasts a lot longer than the liquid waxes usually bought at ridiculous prices. I've found it easy to use, and thus far it's given nice results.

http://www.shipshapenorfolkltd.co.uk/ect/proddetail.php?prod=885

I have no affiliation with the above shop, other than being a happy customer.

 

[nigelmercier]

... hard, traditional wax ...

And hard work as well. For best results, put it on with your hands, not a cloth.

 

[mihtjel]

And hard work as well.

I don't really think it's any more work than using a liquid wax. I use a wet Meguiars foam applicator, buff with microfibre cloth, and I'm satisfied with the results.

 

[Vara]

Second Collinite waxes, easy to apply and buff, beading lasts 8 months plus on my hull.

A tin goes along way. 5 years for both car and boat, must get some more soon.

 

[richardbrennan]

I have used both 3M and Mequiries on a dark blue hull. The Mequiries seems to penetrate and remove the inevitable fading rather better than the 3m. I think it's called "Premium Marine Wax" and unfortunately it's not cheap!

 

[mihtjel]

I have used both 3M and Mequiries on a dark blue hull. The Mequiries seems to penetrate and remove the inevitable fading rather better than the 3m. I think it's called "Premium Marine Wax" and unfortunately it's not cheap!

The wax shouldn't really remove fading. Surely that's a job for the polish. Once the gelcoat is nice and completely shiny, you apply the wax to protect it - and apply a new layer before the old one is gone.

 

[dingdongs]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autoglym-...e_Cleaning&hash=item48554c12f8#ht_1891wt_1172