Boat wax

[tollycraft]

Anyone try Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine Wax. I know there are some Meguiars wax fans here but not sure if anyone has tried this one yet.

 

[MaddyDean]

I never used it so no help there but here is what I did this weekend.

Port side only, I did have the side with Heavy Duty Paste Fleetwax 885 and the other half (Same-port side) with Starbrite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF.

The Fleetwax was incredible and noticeably shinier then Starbrite however, the Fleetwax did not remove dark lines where the Starbrite did.

Additionally, Fleetwax was hard to work with but for the extra effort I am going to use it (Do not let it dry as their instruction reads)

Starbrite was extremely easy to work with but IMO not as shinny.

Then I put the Starbrite over the Fleetwax and wow.

Therefore, I am getting a polishing compound; redo the Port side with the Compound then Fleetwax first and then Starbrite final coat.

I am hoping a simple wash and Starbrite application here and there will get me through the season.

 

[Dave S]

I have used Flagship for several years and I like it. It really shines up my blue hull and lasts a long time as well since it is a polymer (even though they call it "wax") and it bonds to the Gel Coat.

Dave

 

[Presentation]

I have used Flagship for several years and I like it. It really shines up my blue hull and lasts a long time as well since it is a polymer (even though they call it "wax") and it bonds to the Gel Coat.

Dave

Dave,

Wow, that is what I call a shine!

Is that your Toyota Prius in the reflection? (kidding you my friend)

 

[Presentation]

I do a three step process:

Step 1: Wash and dry

Step 2 Apply OXIDATION REMOVER
Item Number: M4916 16 oz and remove.

Step 3 Apply FLAGSHIP PREMIUM MARINE WAX
Item Number: M6332 32 oz. (946 ml) and remove.

 

[MaddyDean]

I have used Flagship for several years and I like it. It really shines up my blue hull and lasts a long time as well since it is a polymer (even though they call it "wax") and it bonds to the Gel Coat.

Dave

Now that looks great--now I got to try this as well.

 

[sbw1]

Flagship is all I use. My boat is still inside for another 3 weeks, but looks as if it has just been waxed. Still has a deep shine. I'll keep using it until there is something better although it is tough to beat.

 

[tollycraft]

Thanks guys, Meguires Flagship Supreme it is! Won't be able to get my boat out for about two weeks but will send before and after pics when I do. I do not have any oxidation issues with my boat but does need to be waxed.

 

[sbw1]

I put it on a fairly large area (3' x 5' maybe) using a clean white towel and rub it out with a fresh wool 8" pad turning at 1500. It's up and down and sideways until the product is fully thinned out. Remaining haze comes off easily using a clean white towel. Instant gratification.

 

[Dave S]

Keep in mind any wax, including Flagship, is merely a protective coating. Unless your gel coat is still nice and shiney, it should be compounded first. When the shine from compounding is to your satisfaction, then apply the Flagship. And even though my gel coat is nice and shiney, I still compound my boat at least once a year regardless before applying the Flagship.

Dave

 

[Presentation]

Keep in mind any wax, including Flagship, is merely a protective coating. Unless your gel coat is still nice and shiney, it should be compounded first. When the shine from compounding is to your satisfaction, then apply the Flagship. And even though my gel coat is nice and shiney, I still compound my boat at least once a year regardless before applying the Flagship.

Dave

Hey Dave,

How often to you re-apply the Flagship wax / polish?

 

[tollycraft]

Keep in mind any wax, including Flagship, is merely a protective coating. Unless your gel coat is still nice and shiney, it should be compounded first. When the shine from compounding is to your satisfaction, then apply the Flagship. And even though my gel coat is nice and shiney, I still compound my boat at least once a year regardless before applying the Flagship.

Dave

Thanks Dave. My gelcoat was in real good shape at the end of the season so am going to give just the wax a whirl first. I will take your advise at seasons end though, and do the compound then wax before layup. Thanks

 

[Dave S]

Hey Dave,

How often to you re-apply the Flagship wax / polish?

I do the topside of the boat above the rub rail about 4 times a year. I can do that at the dock. The hull gets done a minimum of twice a year but I try for at least three times on that as well. But the boat has to be out of the water to do the hull since I can't do the same balancing stunts that Hampton does when he polishes his 340DA's hull in his slip. :smt043

Dave

 

[Presentation]

I do the topside of the boat above the rub rail about 4 times a year. I can do that at the dock. The hull gets done a minimum of twice a year but I try for at least three times on that as well. But the boat has to be out of the water to do the hull since I can't do the same balancing stunts that Hampton does when he polishes his 340DA's hull in his slip. :smt043

Dave

Wow.

I’m at once/year with only touch-ups.

Keep in mind that I am close to the 45th parallel and our season is really May – October or 6 months.

In the winter the boat is stored indoors.

 

[Bottom Line]

I have used both the regular Meguars Wax and the Flagship. I felt like the Flagship held up better. I used the Flagship after compounding, then applying a coat of Meguairs Polish, followed by the Flagship. Last year I tried a new product. I ordered from BOE (Jim...the site owner) and it is called Leverage Polish. I felt like it help up very well during the year. The Leverage is the easiet wax/polish I have ever used. It is a liquid. You apply it with a terry cloth towel, and then wipe it off. My only complaint about it is that they haze is very light and kind of hard to see where you have been. You might search on here and read a little more about it.

 

[srt8mag]

Fiberglass and gelcoat oxidize. Polymers seal in the oxidation but oxidation continues. The polymers don't allow you to get after the oxidation that continues to occur under the barrier coat. You need to feed the gel coat oils. Best results on a good surface will always be a good marine (pure) wax. Bad surface needs a compound followed by a polish and a pure wax. If you are good, you can keeep it up with just wax. If you're a lazy SOB and it's a once a year deal you have to 3 step it again.

 

[Presentation]

...... If you're a lazy SOB and it's a once a year deal you have to 3 step it again.

....or maybe some of us have several kids, jobs, ageing parents, volunteer at church or other places, etc.

 

[srt8mag]

....or maybe some of us have several kids, jobs, ageing parents, volunteer at church or other places, etc.

You must be so busy with all those excuses.

 

[Presentation]

......If you're a lazy SOB and it's a once a year deal you have to 3 step it again.

You must be so busy with all those excuses.

For some time I have been doing it wrong. Until your post I did not know. Care must be used when maintaining these boats. Kindness to you for your help. You have given advice. Of course I need to get back to work. Until it’s time to get on the water.

edited by admin as clever as it was

 

[Al Gross]

I would agree with the above thread--rub it out with compound, then use Flagship, which is the only wax I use.