How is it that you can go to any public or private dock and see boat hull after boat hull looking so good all season long? Do they dry dock during the season, or do they have a few tricks up their sleeves to keep it clean and shiny all season long. Some research into this led to some simple, surprising, and educational results.
The Science Of NOT Waxing.
It’s easy to understand WHY one should wax your hull. It provides a clean, classy look. It gives a feeling of moving through the water more easily, but most importantly, it makes cleaning after a day out on the water, perhaps fishing, a lot easier to do.
But what happens when you don’t wax? Well, if you’re in a corrosive environment such as ocean water with lots of sunshine, then you’ll see oxidation begin to happen over time. See, electrons move as they interact with the oxygen around your boat…much like how fruit turns brown or metal becomes rust. Oxidization is a natural process that happens anywhere; things are exposed to an abundance of oxygen.
Waxing is a way to put a barrier between your hull and oxygen to keep your hull looking and acting better over the long-term.
So why would you wax your boat when it’s in the water?
The first and most obvious answer is convenience. If you have a larger boat, there’s a lot of work that goes into taking a boat out of the water, transporting it to a dry dock, and securing it there, only to have to reverse that process to put it back. Additionally, there are the costs involved, which can vary but are still cost-prohibitive for the average boat owner to do it often.
For smaller boats, there’s still the work of getting it on
Cleaning and waxing your boat in the water can save both time and money, but also provide another benefit that money can’t buy; owner pride. The truth is, many boat owners feel a sense of heightened pride when they take a personal stake in caring for and maintaining their vessel.
Time To Get The Job Done.
Getting started with waxing your hull while it’s in the water is more a choice of cost-saving and convenience more than anything. However, the first choice before any of these is safety. Always shut off and unplug the dock power to the boat, as there’s a small chance that electrocution could happen from some unforeseen circumstance.
Another helpful tip is to get the process you want to use and the tools together before you even start. As half of this process is going to consist of being away from the dock, the last thing you need is the extra work of getting back on the dock to get something you missed.
To get started, you’ll need the following:
- Buckets
- Hose
- Access to freshwater
- Hull cleaning soap
- wax
- Quality sponges
- Microfiber towels
- Heavy-duty gloves
- A dinghy and/or a telescoping handle brush
Clean It Up First
The first step seems obvious. You clean the hull with good ole soap and water. Try using a soap that’s environmentally friendly soap such as Star Brite or Pro Power+ products. Start with a good rinse to get the seawater off, then inspect for anything the rinse didn’t get off, such as slime areas. You may need to go over some parts of the hull several times, especially along the waterline.
Then move on to the soaping using a large sponge. Take your time on this as you don’t want any grime trapped under your wax. Being thorough here pays off more than any shine a wax could give. Start dockside first, then move on to using a dinghy to work the waterside.
There are items that can make this part of the job a lot easier, such as curved, telescoping handled brushes. These devices allow you to clean both sides of the hull while standing on the deck, which is a tremendous and safe time saver.
Off With The Old
Now it’s time to get that old wax off of there. Using a microfiber cloth and wax removal solvent, work from bow to stern, following the solvent’s directions. Keep in mind, the solvent you use MUST be specifically for boat hulls, and not for vehicles. Try not to rush this part, as adding compound, polish, or even worse, wax onto old, existing wax can give bad results from any angle.
On With The New
Starting on the dockside, and following the directions on the label, begin applying the buffing compound without using excessive pressure. Though these products can be abrasive, they’re intended to refresh the look and make it like brand new. However, too much pressure from a motorized drill with the pad will produce unsightly scratches you simply don’t want. Work in small sections at a time so you can best focus on the results rather than simply finishing aside. Don’t worry about the waterside yet. Remember to use a buffing compound for boat hulls only.
Moving on to polish, again following the instructions on the label, apply the polish in small sections using either a special tool or by hand. Take your time. This is the shine you want for an end result. Again, don’t worry about going to the waterside yet.
Lastly, it’s time to lock in that shine. This is where you take that shine you worked hard to get and make it last. Start by applying the wax in tight circles, working small sections at a time. Most wax needs about 5 to 10 minutes to dry, and you’ll see that it will likely turn white or cloudy as it dries.
Now, using a microfiber towel and small circles, rub that wax in until the white and cloudy turns into bright and shiny. Welcome to the halfway mark! Now all you need to do is load up your supplies and snacks and use the dinghy on the waterside to repeat the unwaxing, buffing compound, polish, and wax steps. For the waxing portion of this, it would be a good plan to start at the stern and work towards the bow, waiting a few moments to finish the drying, then work back towards the stern to finish up nice and neatly.
Safety Above All Else
Though it seems obvious, it’s often overlooked. Buffing and waxing takes time and can seem monotonous. Because of this, the temptation to take shortcuts gets a bit more intense as you work through the task. However, taking these shortcuts can prove very hazardous. As mentioned earlier, always turn off the power to the boat AND remove the dock plug. Though it’s a small chance, it still is a chance that electrocution can happen. If you want to use power tools, make sure they’re battery operated and ideally made for boat work, which may include some waterproofing.
Also, don’t forget dinghy safety. If you have to stand in the dinghy, secure its position properly to avoid unexpected movement. Try not to make sudden movements, overreach, or push too hard against the hull while buffing or polishing.
Nothing Beats The Classics.
In the end, there are endless products to help you get that look and shine you want on your boat. However, most experts and amateurs will agree on one thing; it takes hard work and elbow grease to get the job done right. Don’t be afraid to put in the time and effort because the reward is something more than a clean and shiny boat. The greatest reward is pride in keeping up and maintaining your boat with love.
Some Related Thoughts
Can I use car wax on a boat? Yes, nowadays car finishes and boat hulls are very similar. There are some cars that are mostly fiberglass. Using car wax on a boat should not be a problem as there is not much difference between the two. What is important is to wax your boat often, a couple of times per year to keep it looking like new.
How much does it cost to buff and wax a boat? Depending on your location, it could cost you between $13 to $17 per foot to buff and wax your boat. You can cut the cust significant by going the DIY route. The cost of the wax is very inexpensive, and you can find a how-to guide here.