Wax/Buff Hull

Kyle L

New Member
Sep 2, 2018
5
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray Sundancer 280
Engines
Twin 4.3L Mercury
We got a price to have our hull buffed and wax, just wondering how challenging this is and if it’s something worth doing myself? We have a 280 Sundancer.
 
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I've done mine for years and do a much better job than the yard does. It takes 16 hours to buff and wax a 32 Tiara. Sadly, arthritis now forces me to hire it done the past two years. If you are able, do it.
 

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800$ for my 320, so I do it myself, but it is hard. 280 should be easier, especially if white.
 
You have to have the tools... a good buffer and pads. Then a pint of BuffMagic.
 
Did it for years myself. Last year I started paying. Now I just buff my empty wallet.
 
We got a price to have our hull buffed and wax, just wondering how challenging this is and if it’s something worth doing myself? We have a 280 Sundancer.
I have a blue 280 and thought it was pretty easy - but it was in heated storage. I did 1 coat of cleaner, 1 coat polish and 2 coats of wax and it took less than a day. Note: that included doing the foredeck and a quick waxing of the stainless. If you're outside and the hull is cold it'll be more challenging. I like doing my own waxing because then I know where every imperfection/hull scrape is located.
 
You have to have the tools... a good buffer and pads. Then a pint of BuffMagic.

Good as long as aging body parts will do it.

One theme that is constant in this type tread, anyone paid to professionally buff and wax a boat are, "idiots, or do a poor job". That is not entirely true, there are some pros out there that are as good or better than the best member here and there are certainly a good number of pros better than the average member. I understand many companies the owner is good and the untrained employees are not, but not all who work for hire are bad and many are better than the average DIY.

MM
 
I just did my 410 this past weekend.
Only did below the rubrails with my Makita and wool pads.
I put in a lot of time and effort and polished it pretty well last winter so this time I was able to just use an all in one (cleaner wax) product. The surface was in really good shape with no oxidation. I just cleaned it really well before I got started.
I did above the rails a few weeks ago when it was still in the water.
Had to do it solo this year since my son is away at school and everyone else had plans.
Started at about 9:00 Saturday morning, knocked off when it started to get dark at about 4:30. Back Sunday morning at 9:00 and finished at about 1:30.
My 64 year old body feels more like 84, but at least it’s done.
Up and down the ladders and moving them wastes a lot of time.
Was much quicker last year with a helper.
Get one if you can.
One guy just apply the product to the surface and the other stay on the machine. Cuts time considerably.
I’ll touch up whatever spots on the sides that need it when I take the shrinkwrap off in March, then apply two coats (for coverage) of Collinite Insulator Wax by hand before it gets splashed.
Hand waxing with a helper goes quick too. One guy apply and the other buff with micro fibers. Second coat goes faster than the first.
If I have time to hit above the rubrails before it gets splashed I will. If not, no big deal, I’ll do that at my dock.
 
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We got a price to have our hull buffed and wax, just wondering how challenging this is and if it’s something worth doing myself? We have a 280 Sundancer.
Just waxed and sealed my 320 with the help of my daughter. Took us two full days. Can’t find anyone to do it to my standards in this area. The guys that do it here charge $750 and it looks like crap.
 
Go to Shurhold’s website and they have a ton of videos on how to do everything from start to finish. Even if you don’t use their product (Buff Magic - made by Shurhold is a must have), they have excellent how too’s To guide you on your way. And yes I do use their products (I also use others as well). Good luck and send us the before and after!!
 
Good as long as aging body parts will do it.

One theme that is constant in this type tread, anyone paid to professionally buff and wax a boat are, "idiots, or do a poor job". That is not entirely true, there are some pros out there that are as good or better than the best member here and there are certainly a good number of pros better than the average member. I understand many companies the owner is good and the untrained employees are not, but not all who work for hire are bad and many are better than the average DIY.

MM
True very true... But I am done paying to find out I didn't get the pro as promised....and these were very reliable recommendations... So this year I am going to get the boat back to my standards myself.
 
True very true... But I am done paying to find out I didn't get the pro as promised....and these were very reliable recommendations... So this year I am going to get the boat back to my standards myself.

It sucks that it can be difficult to find the pros that will do it right. I am beginning that search myself for the new boat. Sad my guys in Indy can't do it.

MM
 
Here's a shot when I had her hauled out in 2014. I was 68 at the time. I waxed everything below the rub rail and applied two coats of bottom paint. After she went back in the water I did everything from the rub rail up. Easey Peasey.

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Here's a shot two years later and she was still looking good.
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Keeping your boat under cover sure helps to maintain the gelcoat.
 
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Polished with a wool wheel at 1200 rpms using Finesse It followed by Flagship liquid wax applied with another wool pad at 1200 rpms. Residue removed with clean, soft white towels. Collinite used above the rub rail after it is in the water at our home.
 
Appreciate all the comments! You guys have motivated me to do it myself. What products do you all recommend?
 

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