Waxing your boat isn't just about making it look shiny and pretty; it's an important protective measure that can extend the lifespan of your boat.
How exactly does waxing work? Why is it so beneficial? And what’s the best way to approach it?
The Benefits of Waxing a Boat
Why should you spend the time or make the effort?
Waxing about has several benefits, including:
- Minimising UV damage. When you spend time on your boat, you probably use sunscreen. If you don't, we suggest you start. That's because the sun, while warm and beautiful, emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage our skin and increase our risk of developing cancer. These UV rays are harmful to more than just human skin, however; they can also damage the finish on your boat, cause discoloration, and introduce a number of other problems. Even a thin coat of wax is sufficient to provide long-lasting UV protection to your boat, minimizing or eliminating these potential issues.
- Reducing drag. Waxing certain parts of your boat can reduce drag, ultimately allowing your boat to manoeuvre in the water more efficiently and easily. There is some complicated science behind the nature of drag in the water, and there's some debate about whether waxing the bottom of your boat reduces or increases drag. That said, waxing the rest of your boat shouldn't cause any performance issues.
- Protecting from the elements. Even when in storage, your boat is exposed to a variety of different hazards. Accumulated dirt, dust, insect damage, and water damage can harm your vessel. If your boat is in the water, you'll face even more hazards, including marine life, sunlight, and various types of inclement weather. Wax can protect your boat from all of these, maximising its lifespan.
- Improving the aesthetics. Some people love to wax their boats because it improves the aesthetics of the boat; applying a fresh coat of wax makes your boat look shiny and new, while accentuating some of its best features. Aesthetic improvements are also valuable if you plan on selling your boat in the near future, potentially allowing you to increase your asking price or sell your boat faster.
- Facilitating easier cleaning. Additionally, waxing your boat regularly makes it easier to clean. Wax is a semi-impervious coating that minimises the accumulation of stains and built-up residue – meaning washing your boat is a lot easier.
How Often Should You Wax a Boat?
How often should you wax your boat?
There are several variables you'll need to keep in mind here. The size and shape of your boat, its current condition, and the condition in which it operates all matter; if your boat is properly stored with a tight-fitting cover, you'll need to wax it less than a person with a boat that's constantly exposed to water in sunlight.
That said, you should plan on waxing your boat at least twice a year. For most people, waxing every three to four months is appropriate.
How to Wax a Boat
How are you supposed to wax your boat?
If you've ever waxed a car, the process is remarkably similar. If you don't have any waxing experience at all, don't worry; it's not especially difficult.
Clean the Boat
The first phase of the process is thoroughly cleaning the boat. Cleaning the boat makes sure the wax can properly adhere to your vessel and form a protective coating. This is also an opportunity to make sure you don't seal in any unsightly blemishes or stains.
- Remove and secure the boat. Remove the boat from the water, if necessary, and secure it so it doesn't move. To thoroughly clean a boat, you need 360-degree access.
- Spray the boat with water. Next, spray the boat down with water, using pressure in your favour. This should clear out most dirt, dust, and debris and loosen residue that can't be immediately removed.
- Scrub with a boat brush and cleaner. With the boat thoroughly wet, take a boat brush and a cleaner suitable for your boat type, then scrub the boat thoroughly. Make sure you get all surfaces that you intend to wax.
- Rinse and dry. Once you're satisfied with the scrubbing, rinse the boat with water again and dry it thoroughly. Make sure your boat is entirely dry before applying any wax.
Choose the Right Boat Wax
There are several types of boat wax available, each of which has signature strengths and weaknesses.
- Cleaner wax. Cleaner wax contains grit so that it doubles as a cleaner.
- Carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is very protective and offers a glossy shine, but it’s not good for heavily damaged vessels.
- Boat polishing wax. Using synthetic compounds, boat polishing wax provides even more protection, but tends to be more expensive.
- Restoring wax. Restoring wax is much stronger, containing coarse materials that facilitate deep cleaning and restoration.
Apply a Coat of Wax
With your chosen wax in hand, take a microfiber cloth and apply a small amount of wax to it. Less is more in this scenario; a quarter-sized drop of liquid is typically more than enough to cover nine square feet of area on your boat. Start small, as you can always add more wax if necessary.
Then, begin applying the wax, using small, gentle circles in one area at a time. Gradually, the wax should build up and create a hazy texture.
Buff
When you've completed waxing, you can begin buffing. This is a similar technique that utilizes small, gentle circles, but you'll need a clean microfiber cloth to do it.
Repeat (If Desired)
In some cases, you may want to apply additional coats of wax.
Are you looking for a beautiful boat you’ll enjoy waxing for years, if not decades? Browse our marketplace, where you can find thousands of new and used vessels for sale.
Are you selling a boat? We can help you with that too. Once you get that final coat of wax applied, you can start selling your boat on our marketplace here!