How to Wax and Polish Your Boat

[@Ocean-Nomad]

A capitonym is a word that changes its meaning (and sometimes its pronunciation) when it is capitalized. For example, "Polish" refers to something related to Poland, while "polish" means to make something smooth or shiny.

[@valerieb.4912]

Hi Tim, I have found myself watching you on Practical Sailor (and your channel) than I do reading my Sailing Magazine. I have decided that when my prescription runs out, I will be picking up P.S. instead. Happy Sailing ⛵!

[@LauraSmith-ol2nl]

I use only Mothers Caruba wax and apply by hand...shine does not quit

[@busylifechilllife4026]

I just finished cutting and polishing my jeep that i painted to get rid of orange peel. From everything I have read in the automotive world, wool pads are the first step used in cutting, its the most aggressive. They have diffenent foam pads for pollishing and waxing. Also only use one pad with whatever cutting or wax compound and be sure to wash the hull between the steps. I would just go with a light polishing comound and pad, clean hull than new softer pad put on wax and be done, grab a wool pad if there is spots you might need to cut scuffs.

[@eBikercoyote]

I have a sand based non slip, on my top side, it's very old and flacking off. Is there a paint stripper that will not hurt the gel coat? Like zip strip

[@romaniandracula]

No comments on ceramic coatings? I tried this on Lake Ontario and it did nothing for the brown coating of tannin and other pollutants splashing up on the hull.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Great advice, but no getting around it - it's a lot of work, increasing with size of the boat. Good for a couple? Thanks skipper, hopefully I'll need to re-watch this advice one day. Until then, skiffs are dead easy lol.⚓

[@GenerationX-GenX]

Did you happen to try out any ceramic compounds? I have had good luck on my car with them. The finish lasts quite a long time.

[@Jaxe2.0]

I used Aquabuff 1000 to remove oxidation and got a pretty good finish on the Gelcoat with the wool buffer (900 rpms). I used to use Polish next, which didn't turn out so well for me. I switched to WAX next to seal the pores of the Gelcoat. Polishing after that didn't enhance the shine to a notable degree. So far so good. We'll see how this turns out this fall.

[@stanleybest8833]

How much does it cost to add layers of gelcoat to a 30 foot hull?

[@gmarie701]

about $423 total

[@marktuniewicz]

Great video and refresher on your past articles, thank you. Wish I'd read it sooner. My (automotive) detailer recommends using a cermanic-based wax as a final step, any thoughts/experiences/evaluations of them? We applied it after using a 3M wash, and 3M combined medium polish/wax.

[@practical-sailor]

Never tried it but very keent o hear what your experience is!

[@mountainmandale1587]

Down in the saltwater world of Brevard county, FL, it's all about keep it clean. Clean it again and then clean it again. It never stops. God bless my brother, who can haul her out, and let me spend a few nights at his cottage on the Indian River.

[@mountainmandale1587]

Barnacles suck.

[@earthman3000]

Is polishing or waxing an awlgrip painted surface a bad thing or advised?