The Best Wax EVER

[oldragbaggers]

We are working on trying to bring back a Cape Dory 33 that has been sitting on the hard ignored (absentee out-of-state owner) for over six years. She was in rough shape all over. The gelcoat was badly oxidized, marred, and streaked with stains. We really thought we were probably going to have to paint her. But we decided to give compounding and waxing a try. First we had to remove the stains with muriatic acid. Hard as we tried, nothing else worked. Then we got two of Jamestown Distributor's Total Boat Polishing Kits. We went through both kits, washing, compounding (twice) and waxing (2 coats). It was okay but we really just weren't satisfied, despite the fact that neither of us could hardly lift our arms. Then Lance read on the internet about Collinite wax. He decided to give it a try and after one coat of the 925 liquid wax (with a buffer) the results are astounding. This 32 year old hull looks amazing. We're probably late to the party and everyone else probably already knows about this, but I just thought I would post it in case there is someone else who has been living under a rock, as we apparently have.







Now if we can just get the poor old raggedy wood to come out this good......

[s2sailorlis]

She looks beautiful! I am a BIG Collonite fan and have been using it for years. The make waxes for the automotive, aviation, boating and industrial markets. Their 870 fleet wax is a good wax to use as well once you have a good shine.

[oldragbaggers]

Thanks Rick. That's good to know.

[Vincent]

Boat looks great. Post some more pics. I just got a 33 but won't put it up until next year, most likely. Where are you located?

[Bill Moore]

I used the Collinite 925 cleaner followed by the 920 wax and my 33 year old hull looked the best it had in years. I bought it at Hamilton Marine--a pretty no-nonsense place--and gently complained about the price to the clerk. Her reply, "In this case, you'll get what you paid for." She was right. I love it.

[oldragbaggers]

Thanks everyone. We are pretty pleased with it considering how rough she looked starting out.

Vincent....we have a blog at www.oldragbaggers.com. There are more pictures there.

Bill....I think the clerk was right.

[Zeida]

Do not give up on that 33. You'll find her to be the BEST BOAT EVER! Just like you did with that beaming hull, the wood will also restore pretty good. You will have a wonderful yacht.

[oldragbaggers]

Thank you Zeida. It's nice to hear from another 33 owner.

Despite the years of neglect we can see her for what she is going to be and we are in love with her already. We are very much looking forward to many years of cruising and living aboard her.

[Jim Cornwell]

Collinite is good stuff indeed, worth every penny. Yankee gets a treatment every spring and I'm always astonished at how good her aging topsides look when I'm done (and nursing sore arms)! Yacht restoration and maintenance is a journey, for sure. Stick to it and you'll be rewarded with a boat that turns heads everywhere she takes you. Mine does and I'm not even done yet! Thank you, Carl Alberg!

[John Danicic]

I have been using hand applied Collinite Paste wax which is a little harder work but very satisfying if you deal with small sections. It is very companionable work when you have a partner on a nice spring day.

I used a modified version of Maine Sail's, "Tips for a great Buff Wax", to achieve my initial surface about 4 years ago. I went through most of his steps and now I follow a simple procedure in the spring.

A 20% muriatic wash is a good way to really get the white hull to stand out. Followed by a soap wash and spot buffing out of marks, then Collinite wax hand applied. A protected, shining hull is the result.

[Sea Hunt Video]

On the subject of "waxing", last year I paid a lot of "boat units" to have the topsides of S/V Bali Ha'i Awlgriped. Later this Fall I hope to have the deck Awlgriped and nonskid (Griptex) applied.

I think I was told to never wax or polish Awlgrip and to use only a mild soap and water to clean.

Was this advise accurate

[Jim Walsh]

Awlgrip's website has their maintenance procedures in detail.
http://www.awlgrip.com/support-and-advi ... coats.aspx

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim:

Thanks. I forgot to check with "Mr. Google".

Looks like Awlgrip says no wax and no polish.

[pjust]

If the temperature ever gets above 50 again I intend to embark on a paroxysm of waxing, painting, and varnishing. The consensus seems to be that Collinite wax is a top-shelf product. Are there reasons to prefer the paste version to the liquid?

[Jim Walsh]

Can't spill. The paste does take more effort to apply but at least you're not paying for "filler".