Winter Activities

With winter in full force many of us unable to go out and enjoy the water, now is a great time to get some of those activities that we all dread done. I know that waxing is one of my least favorite things to do but its something that must be done in order to keep your hull looking in like-new shape and protect it from anything that may try to hurt it.

There are hundreds of different types of waxes on the market that try to prove that they are the best. Others try to persuade us that they only need to be used once a year to keep that pristine shine. When it comes down to it, there are some that are good and then there are some that are better. Nothing is going to completely stand out from the rest. 

My favorite are paste waxes. I like these because they do not drip or run like liquid waxes. One brand that does not get much recognition is Collinite. Collinite has been abound since the 1930s and has only one thought when it comes to creating products, create products that are by far the best in the industry. 

Collinite wax must be treated a little differently. When you are going to use a superior product you need to use it in a much more careful way. Collinite is not like other waxes where it has to be piled onto the surface to be effective. When reading their instructions, it is stated that they layer must be thin. Not only does this make it easier to use but it also makes the removal of the wax after it dries much easier. 

Before applying the product you must first look at the surface that you are dealing with. It is very important that the hull was just washed and dried and is free of any debris that may scratch the surface. If you notice any stains or oxidation, these must be removed first so that they are not trapped under the layer of wax. To clean these spots, Collinite reccomends using their "No. 920 Fiberglass Boat Cleaner." This will clean the surface and allow the wax to better adhere to the hull. 

After the surface has been prepared, you are now ready to apply the first and only coat of wax. Collinite reccomends to only apply wax in a 2 x 2 square. Collinite "No. 885 Fleetwax Paste" is the paste wax that they produce. Machine applications are acceptable but strongly discouraged unless you are very proficient with buffer and know how it will react with the surface. 

To keep things simple simply apply the wax with a round applicator pad and then remove with a micro fiber cloth once it begins to dry. Take your time and move around the boat slowly and you will be finished before you know it.