I'm a first time boat owner and need to put a coat of wax on my gel coat boat. What products do you recommend...carnuba or special gel coat product?

Marine wax
 

Just make sure it's boat wax and not car wax. If you use an electric buffer to apply, be very careful as it's easy to get carried away and scuff up the gelcoat. Other than that I can't say I've noticed much difference btw the brands. Last year I used some that had some Teflon or silicone or ?? in it, seemed to go on easy and shine well.

Meguiars Flagship Marine waxes
 

I have had excellent results with Meguiars (the Mirror Glaze people) Flagship brand marine wax. Easy to apply and gives an excellent shine.

If your boat is new, then you shouldn't have to buff it, a hand applied wax like Flagship will work very well.

Waxes are like wives (or husbands), you'll find everyone has their own personal preference! :D

Anyways, I have attached a link to Meguiars website. They have many excellent resources contained in it for both boats, cars, motorcycles, etc.

You can order products direct from them, but any good marine store carries their products....

Ahhhh, thoughts of washing & waxing the boat....almost makes me forget about that new snowmobile of mine gathering dust in the garage! :)

Meguiars

Now, if you want to really get in to the science of proper boat care, here is a much more exotic site. I have ordered some of their high end products for my truck & car....and some of the motorcycle products for a friend. The company (used to be Classic) is now Proper Auto Care....they ship fast, reasonably priced & great customer service, plus they have a vast selection of products from beginner stuff to pro detailing supplies;

Proper Auto Care

Have a blast,

Skip

You might want to try Collonite. It,s a little more work ,but well worth it.

Great Advice
 

Skip,

Thanks for the very informative post. Both web sites are great!

Only two months to launch day!!

R2B:D

I'll second Skip's recommendation concerning Meguiar's Flagship!:D Years ago, I used to use the Classic wax products, and thought very highly of them; but, I don't know how they would be for marine use.

Silver Duck

excellent sites
 

Skip,

Thanks so much for those sites they were very informative. I can't wait for summer!!!!:D

I have to chime in here and agree that Meguiar's is the only way to go. They have products for all needs and in my opinion produce results second to none.

Meguairs Wax.
 

Guys, I have also used Meguairs Flagship and other products, they work
great. But try Yacht Brite Serious Shine and Professional Polish, works / lasts better.

Classic!
 

Classic used to have a fiber glass/boat wax it was good but being a paste it took lots of elbow grease.

Get a good name brand wax and work work in the shade.

Mac What about the teflon?
 

Mac,

Do you remember what the name of the wax was with the teflon in it? Someone else I talked to at our marina swears by it. I think it was a Meguire's product also. We're over by the airport in Gilford and get alot of soot from all the Jet Fuel/Aviation Gas in the air. It makes for alot of black streaks where the rain water drains off the boat. I remember him telling me the teflon in the wax makes it easy to just wipe off the black.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks, The Breeze
Make sure to wave, because I'll be waving back:D

Star Brite
 

Many paddlers that I know who have fiberglass or composite boats say that Star Brite with Teflon is the best thing that you can use on this type of boat. That might be what you want.

Memory is the 2'nd thing to go
 

I just don't remember but I got it a Gillan Marine. Perhaps I brought it home from the camp and it's stored in the utility room. I'll check and post back if I find it. That all said I think there are many waxes with the equivalent teflon formulation.

Wax with teflon...
 

Last season I used "Star Brite" brand marine wax with Teflon. I got it at West Marine and so maybe paid more than I should have... it is a liquid wax, goes on easy and seemed to last well through the summer. We get a lot of bird and bug stains where our boat is kept but plain water and a soft brush were usually enough to clean things up.

Island Girl
 

.. and then of course there are the Island Girl (no relation) products.

http://www.islandgirlproducts.com/

I have no idea on the quality... just liked the name!

Gel coat wax.
 

I have a black gel coat and the boat is 20 years old. I've been using the Cullinite products for years. The first 10 years it was a boat house boat. The past 10 years it is stored in a barn on a trailer. A few years ago I switched to The Star Brite Premium with teflon. I find it last longer and cleans easier than Cullinite.
Lately, I've been using Finesse II polish to renew the shine and to remove the glazing from the gel coat. Then I use the wax. It works great for me!
West Marine seems to have the best prices.

Nice Picture IG
 

Ah yes, and a nice website complete with a picture of Island Girl before she got her hair cut.;)

Picture of IG
 

... I wish!

boat detailing site
 

I have learned much about maintaining boats (and a LOT of other stuff) at BoaterEd.com. If you go to the "Detailing" forum, you can observe what's already there or post your own question.

Collinite has always been my choice, but I was interested to read that Broadhopper switched to Star Brite.

Peter

The Best Product For Gel Coat
 

Wax is great for boats, but probably the best thing for your gel-coat and any other plastic is a product called "303 Aerospace Protectant".

The biggest threat to any plastic, rubber, or fiberglass is the harmful UV rays from the sun. This product actually inhibits the effects of the UV rays, much more effective that wax!

Check out their web site, type in "303 aerospace protectant" in your search engine and you will get the link.

It's not cheap but it's worth it!

I love 303, use it on all vinyl, etc. You can buy it at Parafunalia. Never tried it on the gel coat though.

I too use Meguiar's Flagship.

Try Klasse all in one. Expensive but good.