waxing and buffing the deck and topsides, annual requirement

[Craig Curtis]

Is this something that is an annual "must do" to preserve and protect a nice bright gelcoat? The boat is sailed in freshwater if that makes a difference as well.

Thanks,

Craig Curtis
1990 CD40 "Coalescence"
(Anxiously awaiting an April 13th launch in Chicago)



craig_curtis@prusec.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

Craig,

Waxing the hull is a recommended annual chore. It will put off for many years the day when the hull needs to be compounded to get a shine, or painted due to chalking and fading.

Is this something that is an annual "must do" to preserve and protect a nice bright gelcoat? The boat is sailed in freshwater if that makes a difference as well.

Thanks,

Craig Curtis
1990 CD40 "Coalescence"
(Anxiously awaiting an April 13th launch in Chicago)

goldy@bestweb.net

[Boyd]

Waxing and buffing the topsides is something that I consider a absolute no-no. I want my topsides as non slippery as possible and a little dull is a good thing. Wet freshly waxed gelcoat is a formula for major injury. I do wax from the rubrail down though. This may just be my own personal bias. See what others think

Boyd

Is this something that is an annual "must do" to preserve and protect a nice bright gelcoat? The boat is sailed in freshwater if that makes a difference as well.

Thanks,

Craig Curtis
1990 CD40 "Coalescence"
(Anxiously awaiting an April 13th launch in Chicago)

Tern30@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>I do wax from the rubrail down though.<<

That's where you find the "topsides," from the rubrail to the waterline.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Eric]

I assume you mean you don't wax the deck. The topsides are vertical (from the water line to the deck). IF you are slipping on the top sides, you are doing some serious sailing!

ew

Waxing and buffing the topsides is something that I consider a absolute no-no. I want my topsides as non slippery as possible and a little dull is a good thing. Wet freshly waxed gelcoat is a formula for major injury. I do wax from the rubrail down though. This may just be my own personal bias. See what others think

Boyd

Is this something that is an annual "must do" to preserve and protect a nice bright gelcoat? The boat is sailed in freshwater if that makes a difference as well.

Thanks,

Craig Curtis
1990 CD40 "Coalescence"
(Anxiously awaiting an April 13th launch in Chicago)

[Bill Goldsmith]

I plead guilty to not following this recommendation, but it is actually better to wash and wax your topsides before winter layup. (As you are in Chicago, this is relevant).

Boyd is correct in his suggestion not to wax the deck, coachroof etc., as that makes it slippery and dangerous. Many people confuse the term "topsides" to mean the deck, but as pointed out, it is actually the outside surface of the hull from the rubrail to the bootstripe; i.e. "top"--"sides."

Let's hope for an early spring!!

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance

That way, the hull is protected during the harsh winter months and you won't need to do it again in the spring (except maybe a washdown and light buffing).

Is this something that is an annual "must do" to preserve and protect a nice bright gelcoat? The boat is sailed in freshwater if that makes a difference as well.

Thanks,

Craig Curtis
1990 CD40 "Coalescence"
(Anxiously awaiting an April 13th launch in Chicago)

goldy@bestweb.net

[Warren Kaplan]

This is in the nature of an extension to the discussion about waxing and polishing topsides. I usually use a pretty good brand of carnuba wax to do my topsides in the spring. I sail in salt water/air/spray. Spring sailing, which is often the best sailing, can produce some pretty good winds, waves and spray. Needless to say the topsides of the boat take a pretty good beating easpecially when beating into a nice chop. So the question(s) become; after a couple of weekends of "heavy weather" sailing is there any appreciable wax left on the topsides? Does anyone use something (acrylic, synthetic or otherwise) that they feel is still on the boat when they haul in the late autumn? If not, how long do you think the "average" topside wax/polish lasts in salt water? I don't mind taking a day to do the topsides because Sine Qua Non sure looks sharp when I'm finished. But, am I really providing any appreciable protection to the hull for anything more than just a couple of a days of sailing? Any advice for that "magic elixir" will be appreciated.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166



Setsail728@aol.com

[Don Carr]

Warren: I think wax degradation is more related to sun and air pollutants than salt-water. Don't forget to turn your boat...so it gets an even tan?(wax degradation). IMHO



carrds@us.ibm.com

[JimL]

I discovered that just slipping across the waxed surfaces (while working around the mast in some lumpy water) was pretty spooky. As it turns out, the wax I used wore off quickly. Definitely feels more secure with the old dull gelcoat. One problem without wax is stains from bird droppings or iron particles. I've found I can make a little wet paste of some BarKeepers Friend and put it on that spot for about ten minutes, then rinse the problem away. Also, I did paint my non-skid with a mix of Bikini Blue and Semi-Gloss White. The result is a semi-gloss non-skid finish that seems to be holding up well (so far, only been on for about 3 months). The bird droppings come off easily.



leinfam@earthlink.net