karlfdburg
Petty Officer
Posts: 132
Location: VA Tidewater
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Post by karlfdburg on Oct 8, 2013 9:38:24 GMT -6
I read recently that using beeswax polish as a base polish on a boat will help protect the gelcoat better than other waxes. It recommended cleaning the gelcoat, applying the beeswax polish and then polishing with one of the other "shinier" type polishes such as carnuba-based. A few questions: 1. Does anyone use this method? 2. If so, what brand(s) or beeswax polish have you used? 3. Has anyone found any other method of/or system for polishing their boat and keeping it protected?
Thanks! Davie
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Post by freezerfiller on Oct 8, 2013 19:58:48 GMT -6
It has been my experience that the harder the wax, the longer it lasts. Yes carnauba's are shiny, but they are soft and less durable. If you are going to a boat show, use a soft wax for the best shine. If you want to do it once a year, use the harder. I use turtle wax or Nufinish. I can't decide which is better. I think if you are dedicated, and wax at least annually, I think it's hard to beat turtle wax. I really need to do a half boat with one and half boat with the other type test to determine a winner. Maybe I'll do that as part of my off-season work list this year...
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Post by Juan on Oct 8, 2013 20:49:38 GMT -6
I use turtle wax or Nufinish. I can't decide which is better. IMO you can't beat Nufinish.... goes on and off easy and lasts longer than most.. GOOD STUFF
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karlfdburg
Petty Officer
Posts: 132
Location: VA Tidewater
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Post by karlfdburg on Oct 18, 2013 10:08:36 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice. I've always used TurtleWax on cars and boats so I might have to try the Nufinish. I want to keep that gelcoat protected as much as possible.
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Post by Juan on Oct 18, 2013 13:22:25 GMT -6
I just purchased this new Aston Martin and received quite an education about waxes and polishes. Bottom line is Beeswax is a great top coating for show but it's not for protection from UV ect. NICE CAR!! What's that yellow one in your avatar?... Looks like a Plymouth Superbird.
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Post by Juan on Oct 18, 2013 15:13:23 GMT -6
SWEET...
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Post by Simple Man on Oct 19, 2013 3:56:19 GMT -6
Bees is for honey!
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Post by Juan on Oct 21, 2013 9:08:39 GMT -6
Who squeezes the wax out of those little suckers?
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Post by Simple Man on Oct 21, 2013 13:02:13 GMT -6
You have to boil them to get wax. Like making soap....
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Post by freezerfiller on Mar 5, 2014 20:12:35 GMT -6
It has been my experience that the harder the wax, the longer it lasts. Yes carnauba's are shiny, but they are soft and less durable. If you are going to a boat show, use a soft wax for the best shine. If you want to do it once a year, use the harder. I use turtle wax or Nufinish. I can't decide which is better. I think if you are dedicated, and wax at least annually, I think it's hard to beat turtle wax. I really need to do a half boat with one and half boat with the other type test to determine a winner. Maybe I'll do that as part of my off-season work list this year... Results are in... I applied the same white epoxy to three panels. I left one alone as a control, put 2 coats of turtlewax on another, and 2 coats of nufinish on the the last (according to the instructions). After 300 hours in a UV chamber with alternating light and water spray, the panels were pulled and evaluated. The results of the control and the turtlewax were very similar with regards to UV damage and the angle of the water bead for water repellency. The Nufinish was visually about 20% better on both UV and water repellency, but when I put it on a colorimeter, it was more like 10%. Anyway, it is my opinion that Nufinish is better than turtlewax or not waxing, but it's not going to stop Mother Nature, much like Juan mentioned earlier in the thread.... Control left, nufinish center, turtle wax right
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Post by Simple Man on Mar 5, 2014 22:47:58 GMT -6
Freezerfiller aka Bill Nuy the Science Guy! Lol!
All joking aside, excellent test. Now you have to keep going. We might be witnessing a competitor of UL being born!
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Post by Juan on Mar 6, 2014 5:47:06 GMT -6
That's GREAT! I'm truly impressed. I'm guessing you work in a lab somewhere... what are you testing when you aren't testing wax?
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Post by freezerfiller on Mar 6, 2014 15:11:34 GMT -6
Yeah, it's a long story best told over a cold beer, but yeah, I'm pretty much a science guy.
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