Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 380-3934
How do I know if my boat needs to be compounded or just waxed?
If you look at your gel coat and can see any hazing, cloudiness, stains, oxidation or a dull finish you need to compound then wax your boat. Make sure that you use a high speed buffer and marine compound. Auto compound will not give you the results you're looking to achieve.
How often should I wax my boat?
You should wax your boat every spring and fall.
Why should I use a marine wash and wax to wash my boat?
Do not use dish detergent or any other household cleanin products to wash your boat. They will striip the wax off your boat. Only use a boat soap with wax.
What is a one-step, two-step and a three-step wax job?
A one-step wax process is where we use pure wax on a new boat (gel coat is still glossy) or cleaner wax on a lightly oxidized boat. A two-step wax process would be used on a boat with medium to heavy oxidation where we go over the boat with just rubbing compound first and then go over it again with wax. A three-step process would be used on gel coat that is heavily oxidized and where you want to make sure the wax job lasts for a long time (at least a year) to further protect the gel coat. In this case, we would go over the boat first with a rubbing compound to cut through the oxidation, then with a polish to seal the gel coat and then with wax to further protect it from oxidizing.
Why should I detail my boat on a regular basis?
Boats experience a sharp decrease in resale value within the first few years, largely due to owners that do not care for their boats properly. A quick
fresh-water wash with a marina hose simply cannot compare to a thorough cleaning and detailing job performed on a regular basis.
Can a detailing job make a huge difference in the aspect of the boat’s finish?
The UV rays of the sun, the heat, fishing residue, oil and fuel spills, can all have a destructive impact on your boat, giving it a dull and faded look. Yes, detailing your boat regularly will make a considerable difference in protecting all exposed surfaces to maintain a brand new appearance.
Is boat soap with wax in it one way to keep my boat waxed?
There are definitely benefits to washing your boat with a boat soap that has wax in it, but this does not replace your actually having to wax your boat on a regular basis! The two main benefits to using a boat soap with wax in it is that you are at least not stripping any wax off your boat from using a harsh soap (such as dish detergent or a general soap not meant for boats or cars) and you might be able to prolong your last wax job as long as you're washing your boat and using that soap on a regular basis (at least every two to three weeks). It may provide some UV protectant agents in it that can add a thin layer to your gel coat to prevent premature fading.
I think using a soap with wax in it is a good idea for someone who washes their boat on a regular basis and keeps it moored in a sunny location. The bottom line is - it definitely can't hurt!
What is the difference between compound, wax and polish?
When waxing your boat, there are three main types of products you might use depending on the condition of and finish used on your boat. If you boat is oxidized, whether the finish is gel coat or paint, you’ll need to use a compound (preferably with a power buffer) to cut through that oxidation and bring back the gloss. Most compounds do not contain wax, so compound is something you would use as the first step in a two-step process or mixed with wax (such as a cleaner wax) to achieve the same effect in one step.
There are two types of waxes, pure wax and cleaner wax, both of which should only be used on gel coated boats. Pure wax has no compound added to it and is excellent for brand new boats or boats that have no oxidation. Cleaner wax is a mixture of compound and wax and is great for boats with light to medium oxidation. If your gel coat has light oxidation, you can get away with waxing your boat by hand, but be careful to use very even pressure with your hand as you apply the wax or you’ll get splotchy results. It’s best to use a power buffer if you can so as to remove the oxidation and apply the wax in an even manner. Keep the buffer flat to avoid swirl marks.
Polish does the job of wax but doesn’t actually contain wax. Rather, it contains polymers and other synthetic agents that do the job of wax, such as protecting the finish from UV rays and bringing back a shine to painted and metal surfaces. If your boat is covered in AwlGrip or other painted finish, your best option is to polish it on a regular basis with a product such as Starbrite Premium Marine Polish.
I've applied wax to my red colored boat several times, both by and and with an orbital buffer, and it looks great for a few hours adn then looks faded again. What am I doing wrong?
Boats with colored hulls must be waxed on a regular basis, about every 6 months and if it’s a black hull, you’ll want to apply wax about every 2 months. But that’s only after you have cut through the oxidation and the only way to do that properly is by using rubbing compound with a variable speed buffer. The rubbing compound has grit or clay in it that will help cut through the oxidation, but only when it’s applied at a high speed and applied evenly. An orbital buffer doesn’t spin fast enough or offer even pressure and you won’t be able to press hard enough with even pressure if you apply it by hand. Using an orbital buffer or your hand to apply rubbing compound will give you splotchy results.
If you haven’t used a buffer before, you’ll want to start with a buffer that has a slow start so you can ease it onto the gel coat and then kick up the speed as you go. Use a compounding pad to apply the compound and buff it in with.
We Detail Anything You Want - Wherever You Want!