How to Wax a Boat for Beginners

If you’re fortunate enough to own a gorgeous yacht, it’s only natural that you’d want to keep it looking as new and glossy as possible. Owning a boat is thrilling, but you must treat it with the same respect you would like a car or any other item you have purchased for your leisure. Waxing the boat keeps it looking nice and protects it from the elements and the water it is continuously exposed to. It’s crucial to learn how to wax a boat, and marine waxing will protect your boat from the sun’s UV rays. A poorly waxed boat stands out in the marina, and you want to make sure that your yacht sparkles!

Waxing the hull of your yacht is one of the most significant maintenance tasks you’ll face as a boat owner. It’s logical. The single greatest portion of your boat, the hull, is exposed to water, sun, and other factors. It’s important to maintain good shape, and waxing is a good way to do that.

Before you put off waxing your boat the next time it’s due, remember why it’s such a crucial aspect of yacht maintenance.

Clean the Boat First Before Waxing

You’ll need to give your boat a good wash before you can begin the waxing procedure. After all, your boat will gather dirt and filth overtime after spending so much time on the water. A dirty boat not only looks ugly, but it can also cause harm if you don’t regularly keep the maintenance of the boat. Before cleaning, place the boat and secure it on a trailer after removing it from the water. You can place it on a rolling trailer bunk trailer to wash it. Ensure the trailer is on level ground so the boat doesn’t tip over while washed. 

First, squirt some water on the boat. A pre-rinse will assist release debris and taking some of the burdens off your shoulders. Before working your way down, start at the top. For the fiberglass, use a good, non-abrasive cleanser. Stain Remover + Cleaner is a non-abrasive cleaner that we recommend for new boats. Scrub thoroughly with a boat brush to swiftly cover a large area. Rinse well and pat dry. Before continuing, check that the boat has been rinsed and is thoroughly dry.

Purchase High-Quality Wax

Without the correct products created exclusively for boats, you won’t learn how to wax a boat. Because many waxes work on both vehicles and boats, you’ll want to obtain the correct boat wax. 

You will next apply the wax to the boat. But not before pondering some critical questions, such as which wax to use? Shine Armor and CarGuys Hybrid Wax are two products we recommend if you want your waxing to last as long as possible. With moderate boating activity, you should expect the protection to last three years when using these two together. Some people may use automobile wax for polishing a boat, while others are correct in aiming for the specific boat wax.

Surface Buffing

Allow one piece to dry after applying the wax in uniform, circular strokes. To avoid the wax becoming too hard, buff each section one at a time before moving on. You have two things to choose from: you can use a power buffer to perform all of the jobs for you or save money by buffing the wax with some good, old-fashioned elbow grease. The advantage of using power buffing is that you’ll almost always get a rapid, smooth finish.

The benefit of utilizing elbow grease over a power buffer is because it’s much cheaper and much more accessible to anyone, whether renting or buying one. But using a power buffer without damaging the fiberglass may require some skill. In the end, the only choice is yours. Some boaters use a rag or towel to wipe the surface as evenly as possible. If you have a much larger boat, this will be a lot of work, but if you’re going to spend an afternoon waxing your boat, you might not mind being outside.

Apply the Wax

The next step is to wax the boat. The sort of wax you should use on your boat is determined by the type of surface it has. Before you begin, always be reminded of the exact directions for the wax you’ve chosen. You’ll generally apply the wax to the boat’s surface in the same circular motion as you did to buff it. To make the process much lighter, you can apply the wax by hand or using an electric waxing tool. Working in little portions, work your way around the boat as you did before. 

The wax must then be allowed to dry for a few minutes or until it becomes hazy. That means you’re ready to move on to the next phase. Apply a dime-size dollop of whatever product you choose to the buffer pad, then press the pad firmly against the hull. Make the buffer work across a 3×3 foot piece of the boat, then turn it off and repeat the process. Your boat should look brand new after wiping it down with a microfiber towel.

Wax Buffing

Finally, buff the surface with a buffing tool or by hand. You’ll circularly go around the boat. As you rub the wax off, you’ll notice that the surface becomes cleaner and more lustrous, almost as if your boat were spanking new. Step back and appreciate your job once you’ve completed waxing. Because a yacht is such an expensive asset, it’s critical to keep the surface clean and polished!

How to Avoid Buffing Your Boat

1.) Turn on and off the buffer only when the pad is firmly pressed against the surface. Otherwise, you will shoot the product all over the place.

2.) Use only a small amount of the product. If you apply it too thickly, the pad will be unable to do its function and will instead skid across the Gelcoat like a hydroplaning car.

3.) Do not use clear, soft plastics. On transparent enclosures, this is not the way to go.

4.) Take care not to nick the PVC rub rail. It will undoubtedly leave an impression. Taping the edges is necessary.

5.) Decals and unique lettering should not be pressed too forcefully, such as a gold leaf. To avoid ripping the decals, work softly around certain places.

6.) Don’t toss the pads away. You may put them in the washing machine and use them again and again.

Final Takeaway

You may believe that your yacht does not require waxing. It’ll only be in the water. Therefore, it’ll have to be clean all the time, right? Not. Your yacht has a lot of opportunities to accumulate filth over time. And don’t forget about the sun, which many owners overlook. Using a UV-protected compound, wax, or boat polish will keep your boat from succumbing to sun damage as rapidly as possible. This will not only preserve the boat’s worth but will also make it more appealing to look at for years to come.

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For more boat building advice, check out MyBoatPlans‘ Complete Boat Building Guide.

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