Best Boat Wax for Scratches

best boat wax

If you have ever detailed a car before, you will know how intricate the process can be.

The same is the case with boat detailing.

Boat waxing is one of the critical steps of detailing a fishing vessel. Whether your vessel is coated with gel, fiberglass, or paint, you can prolong its life by applying boat wax on its surface.

As the weather becomes more beautiful, a lot of boat owners feel tempted to take their vessel out for a sail.

On average, a boat owner sails once a month. In certain times of the year, the frequency can go up to two or even three times a month.

In such circumstances, it becomes imperative to protect your investment from the effects of oxidation and corrosion. This post will help you find the best boat wax for your fishing vessel.

10 Best Boat Waxes for scratches my test

1. Meguiar’s M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax

best boat wax

Maintaining a boat to its pristine state is not an easy task. Most boat owners have to work super hard to keep their investment away from light oxidation and chalking.

I am sure you are aware of how deep the factory shine is.

Well, getting that level of shine by waxing your boat with your hands or even with a dual-action variable speed polisher is not simple and straightforward.

 Most sailers apply several layers of boat polish before resting easy. Such is not the case with Meguiar’s Flagship product M6332.

Whether you wish to remove the layers of oxidation from the surface of your boat or just want to polish it up a bit, you can do it with Meguiar’s M6332

Premium Marine Boat Wax. At most, you will have to apply two layers– once with the help of a hand pad and next with bare hands.

Best boat wax Summary

Meguiar’s is a trustworthy and reputed brand. It has been around for more than 120 years.

Their flagship product, M6332, is one of the best boat wax in the market. Plus, it can also be used on a get coated RV.

A single coat of this boat wax will help get rid of fine scratches and swirls from the surface of your vehicle.

Pros

  • It protects against UV damage and wear.
  • It can bring the shine back to your dull and unmaintained boat.
  • It is easy to use.

Cons

  • It only works well for white or bright colored boats.
  • It doesn’t remove discoloration.

2. 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax

Are you looking for a universal paste wax that can go with all your vehicles? 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax can be used to protect the surface of your car, RV, boat, and watercraft.

 Whether your vehicle is painted on with aluminum, coated with gel, or covered with fiberglass, you can paste wax without any issues.

It is laced with silicon, which is known to promote water beading. It keeps your boat away from oxidation or any other damage by cleating a thick protective coating around it.

Furthermore, you can also expect a polished wet-look shine that lasts for a long time.

Once you apply this paste wax — with your hand or a hand pad — you can head to the ocean within minutes–no need to wait for the wax to dry.

The 3M polymer formulation shields the boat from the harmful UV rays right from the moment you put it on.

Summary

This paste wax does not work well on its own. Needless to say, you have to pretreat the surface of the boat by cleaning it with a dry cloth or a rubbing compound. The type of pretreatment method you should use entirely depends on its surface material.

Rubbing components work great for a gel coat, whereas liquid wax can be used to get the chalkiness off of fiberglass. This is the best boat wax for those who wish to put an end to conditions like oxidation and pitting.

Pros

  • It adds instant shine and a wet look.
  • It is a premium marine wax.
  • It can be applied by hand.
  • It protects against UV damage.

Cons – Best boat wax

  • It is a pure marine polish. It does not aid cleaning.

3. Boater’s Edge Cleaner Wax

You know that a cleaner wax is useful, worth the money, and working for you when the affected area begins to appear the same as the rest of the boat or RV.

Unlike a cheap or no-name knock-off cleaner wax, this one can be used on all types of surfaces–even on the painted ones.

This is why this product from Boater’s Edge is worth the money. Further, once you apply this product on the surface of your boat, it will work hard to keep moisture away from that area.

ALSO READ:  How Often Should You Change the Oil in Your Boat’s Engine?

You want to stop the deterioration of the affected surface as soon as possible. Using a way that repels water away is the right place to start.

Summary

It’s not an easy task to remove oxidation and white layer from a get or a fiberglass surface.

No matter how good the boat cleaner is, you will have to put a considerable amount of effort into scraping off the unwanted particles stuck on the surface of the boat.

This product from Boater’s Edge does make your job easy but do not expect to have a clean and shiny boat after the first application.

Pros for  Best boat wax

  • It is a pure cleaner liquid wax.
  • It removes discoloration from gel coats, fiberglass, and painted surfaces.
  • It comes with UV inhibitors to protect the boat against oxidation and chalking.

Cons

4. Boat Bling Quickie Sauce 

Not everyone has the time to perform boat detailing every time they head out for fishing. Also, regular maintenance of a boat requires a lot of effort and dedication.

Again, some boat owners just don’t have the time. If this sounds like you, you might be interested in getting yourself a bottle of quickie wax from Boat Bling.

Furthermore, this boat wax comes with the famous montan-wax formula. Montan-wax, also known as lignite wax or OP wax, is obtained only in certain parts of the world.

Montan-wax is used when a boat surface needs to be made repellent to water while maintaining the high-gloss.

Summary

This product comes in a spray bottle. It can be sprayed over the entire boat within a matter of minutes. The primary purpose of this product is to improve the scuff resistance of water.

Meaning, a boat with Boat Bling Quickie Sauce sprayed on its surface can get away from scratches or marks even when met with a minor mishap.

Pros

  • It comes in a spray bottle. It is easy to use.
  • It is made from a rare and effective Montan wax formula.
  • It works well with RV.s, campers, watercraft, and cars as well.

Cons

  • The Quickie Sauce works best with Boat Bling’s Hot Sauce. You need to get both.

Also Read: Boat Cover Buyng Guide

5. Woody Wax

Woody Wax is a corrosion blocker that comes in a spray bottle form. This is not a conventional boat wax, but it is the best solution for keeping the deck clean and neat.

Yes, you can polish the outer area of your boat with this solution but only to make it shine and get rid of the dirt stuck on the surface.

When you go sailing with your family or throw a party for your friends, it is expected to have a dirty, smelly and wet deck the next day. Leaving the deck as it is would make matters worse in the long run.

This is where Woody Wax comes into the picture. Just spray it once and rub the surface with a dry cloth or a hand pad—no need to rub hard. The dirt will come off quickly.

Summary

After the application of liquid wax or a marine wax on the surface of the boat, a lot of boat owners complain of the surface becoming slippery. This is true with a lot of liquid wax cleaners.

Woody Wax is a 100 percent non-skid deck wax. You can walk around the boat without worrying about injuring yourself.

Pros

  • It comes in a spray bottle. It is easy to use.
  • Dirt, gravel, and seaweed come off easily—no need to rub hard.
  • This marine wax is 100 percent non-skid.

Cons

  • This product is good for cleaning, but performs average for shine and polish.

6. 3M Marine Restorer and Wax

Are you looking for a marine wax for heavily oxidized finishes? 3M Marine Wax has a unique formula that restores the damaged surfaces of boats and vehicles with a gel coat or fiberglass finish.

In one product, you get both rubbing alcohol and regular boat wax. As a result, this product eliminates the need to pretreat the surface. No rigorous rubbing or scraping is required.

When was the last time you performed boat detailing? Has it been just a month or more than six months?

No matter how long you have been neglecting the boat detailing work, you can make it up by applying this boat wax with foam pads. It will remove all the white marks caused due to the process of light oxidation.

Summary

Wax your boat once a month with this product, and you won’t have to worry about oxidation ever again in your life. White marks can make your boat look sub-standard.

Your guests won’t feel comfortable sailing in a boat that is not kept in good condition. This is the best boat wax for getting rid of thick layers of oxidized particles.

Pros

  • It provides UV protection.
  • Combination of rubbing compound and marine wax makes this product cost-effective. It also saves time.
  • It is easy to use.
  • It creates a shield against UV damage.
  • It is scientifically proven to work to restore fiberglass and gel coat surfaces.

Cons

  • For great results, the boat surface needs to be treated at least thrice.
  • The surface needs to be pretreated with a buffer.
  • It does not restore faded surfaces.
ALSO READ:  Best Anchor for Pontoon Boat

7. Collinite 920 Fiberglass Boat Cleaner and 925 Boat Wax Combo

If something like 3M Marine Wax (which comes with a rubbing component and boat wax stuffed in one bottle) is not what you are looking for, then it would make total sense to go for a separate boat wax and cleaner by the same manufacturer.

The combination of both from Collinite offers long-lasting protection from oxidation, UV rays, and rusting.

When you purchase this product, you get a 16oz bottle of Fiberglass Boat Cleaner and one 16oz bottle of Fiberglass Boat Wax.

The cleaner makes sure that the surface is pretreated and ready for polish. It is recommended to wax your boat, only after preparing the surface for it–only then you can expect long-lasting protection.

Summary

Oxidation can not only damage the deck, and other visible parts of the boat can also cause problems under the waterline.

If you have sailed for quite a while now, I am sure you must have heard about “dull hull.” The hull is the portion of the boat located beneath the waterline. The 925 Boat Wax from Collinite can also be used as a hull wax.

Pros

  • It is a premium marine wax for those wanting to restore the hull of their boat.
  • This product enhances the look of the boat.
  • It restores shine.
  • It is a total boat detailing solution.

Cons

  • The cleaning solution can be made more effective. It takes about 2-3 repetitions to pretreat the boat for polish.
  • The container appears larger in the product images.

8. Star Brite Heavy Duty Cleaner Wax 

Boat wax from Star Brite is suitable for those who are quite disciplined when it comes to boat detailing.

If you are someone who cares a lot about your boat appearing clean, shiny, and polished all the time, this product might be the right choice for you. Also, it is one of the best boat wax for those looking to save some money.

Star Brite is intended for light to medium oxidation. Someone punctual with the maintenance and repair of the boat won’t have to live their life dreading to encounter a massive erosion on their boat.

 I’d also like to call your attention to the fact that this premium marine wax is specifically made for boats with a fiberglass gel coat.

Summary for Best boat wax

Cleaning and waxing the boat every time you take it out can turn out to be quite expensive, especially if you have a large boat that requires a lot of maintenance.

This product from Star Brite is quite affordable. Overall, this is the best boat wax for those looking for instant results without having to make a dent in their wallets.

Pros

  • You can get instant results. It is a one step solution.
  • It is easy to use.
  • It will make your boat appear clean and tidy.
  • It comes off easily—no need to scrub while pretreating the boat for polish.

Cons

  • Despite the claims by the manufacturer, this product does not work well on painted metal surfaces.
  • It does not remove heavy oxidation.

9. Meguiar’s M5616 Marine/RV Pure Wax

Boat polishes do not come any cheaper than Meguiar’s M5616. This marine wax can not only protect your boat from the effect of oxidation but also maintain an extraordinary shine.

It’s the combination of features of this product that makes it so popular with boat owners. In addition, it is also quite affordable.

Further, marine ultra-performance wax from Meguiar also provides UV protection.

The harmful rays coming from the sun can speed up the process of light oxidation. Your boat must always be coated with marine ultra-performance wax. This product works best with a fiberglass gel coat, plain gel coat, and painted surfaces.

Summary – Best boat wax

For a product marketed as a premium marine wax, it is essential that it goes on smooth and comes off easy. After sailing the entire day, the hull portions can get covered up with dried salt and sea minerals.

Sometimes, the hull can also hold fish scales or their blood. Hence, when prepping your boat for waxing the next day, the previously applied boat wax must come off quickly.

Meguiar’s M5616 comes off quite easily without needing special cleaning equipment.

Pros for Best boat wax

  • It contains Brazillian Carnauba wax. It is the hardest natural wax available.
  • This product provides long-lasting protection.
  • It can be applied by hand or machine.

Cons

  • It does not provide enough shine.

10. Mothers 91556 Marine Synthetic Wax

Fishing boats these days come with a modern gel coat. The modern boats are not only constructed to last longer but are also styled to die for.

For better aesthetics, these gel coats either have a shallow depth, or they are mixed with other materials like fiberglass. Either way, they need to be supported with a long-lasting protective barrier.

This is where Mothers 91556 Marine Wax comes into the picture. Mothers is a reputed American brand. Once this one-step synthetic polymer wax is applied on the surface of a boat, you can rest easy and let the product do its job.

This best boat wax comes with a high-tech formula that forms a thick protective layer around your boat–all while maintaining the natural shine and polish.

Summary

Just like any other boat wax, Mothers 91556, too, must be applied after pretreating the surface of the boat.

ALSO READ:  Lang Tools Internal/External Snap Ring Pliers Set Tested

The first coat should be a conventional boat cleaner, and later you can use this marine polish either with your hand or an automotive buffer.

Affordable marine polish usually comes with a Brazilian wax known as Carnauba.

Most manufacturers use this wax due to its ability to penetrate deep into the surface of a boat. And the raw material is quite cheap. Mothers 91556 does not have Carnauba wax in it.

Pros

  • It works great with a modern gel coat.
  • It leaves your boat looking shinier and glossier than ever before.
  • It creates a shield around the boat. No need to worry about chalking or pitting.

Cons

  • This is pure marine polish. It can only be used after pretreating the boat with a cleaning solution.
  • It is not suitable for painted surfaces.

What is the Best Boat Wax for Oxidation?

For years, oxidation has been the biggest nemesis of boat owners. It affects all types of boats. In some cases, also land vehicles like cars and trucks.

As a boat owner, you must already be aware of issues like chalking and pitting on the surface of the vessel. These problems occur due to a chemical reaction between the metal and oxygen (present in the water).

Although in some cases, even light can act as a catalyst and speed up the process of destruction. This phenomenon is known as Light Oxidation. So how can a boat owner protect his/her investment from getting oxidized?

Meguiar’s flagship product, called M6332 is the best boat wax in the market. The ingredients used in the creation of this product are known to shield metal surfaces with gel coats, and fiberglass from the effects of oxidation.

To get the best results, you must follow the instructions provided by Meguiar. Before applying the marine wax, clean the surface of the boat.

Look for tiny salt particles and sand stuck on the surface. Next, use the boat wax either with your hand or a polisher. And finally, take a dry cloth and scrub off the residue.

What is the Best Wax for Gelcoat?

Before I suggest a product for your gel-coated vessel, I would like to make sure you know the difference between a get coat and car paint. Here is why I want to stress this point.

A lot of boat owners are confused between car wax and boat wax. This is mainly due to the availability of multi-vehicle waxes.

To save money, a lot of you might be wanting to buy a common product for your land vehicle and vessel.

Boats generally come with three types of coatings: get coat, fiberglass, and paint. A boat wax intended for a gel coat or fiberglass cannot be used with a painted-on vessel, and vice versa.

Also, note that fiberglass consists of multiple layers; a gel coat is one of the films. Gel coat alone is not very resilient to the effects of oxidation. Hence, liquid wax like Woody Wax can be a great solution.

This corrosion blocker comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle. Also, you don’t need to buffer or pretreat the vessel surface. 

How Long Does Boat Wax Last?

Boat detailing is as expensive as it is. I understand why you might be curious to know the exact expense that goes into this intricate procedure. Boat wax comes in a variety of forms.

Whether your vessel needs a thick paste wax or thin liquid wax, depends entirely on the type of coating and frequency of use.

Let’s assume that you go out fishing once a month. Before heading out to waters, you gel your vessel once and repeat the process after returning. So, you perform a total of two applications a month.

Depending on the size of the vessel, a bottle of 32 fluid ounces can last anywhere from a year to three. An average-sized fishing vessel is 10 meters in length.

For a boat with the dimensions mentioned above, you can easily make a 32 fluid ounces boat wax bottle last for three years.

What is the Difference Between Boat Wax and Boat Polish?

Boat wax and boat polish are not the same, although boat owners use both terms to refer to the same thing.

Generally speaking, a boat wax is made from naturally occurring materials, whereas a boat polish is a processed version of the same.

Boat polish has chemically active substances capable of making a boat shine brighter than ever before.

So, when should one go for boat wax? I’d like to call your attention to the fact that boat waxes have been around for generations.

Even before the emergence of modern motorboats, boat waxes like Carnauba were used extensively. Hence, if you are looking for a guaranteed safe and effective solution for chalking and pitting, go for the best boat wax available.

However great the natural boat waxes are, they do come with some limitations. For instance, the ones made from naturally occurring materials are susceptible to heat.

On longer journeys, the boat wax can melt away, leaving your vessel exposed to the effects of oxidation. This is where synthetic boat polish comes into the picture. They are capable of resisting heat for longer durations.

Best boat wax Conclusion

If you haven’t yet found the best boat wax for your vessel, I would recommend asking a fellow sailor or a boat detailer for advice.

Meanwhile, you can begin using an all-purpose boat wax such as the M6332 from Meguiar.

This product works great on all white or bright colored vessels. For dark-colored containers, Mothers 91556 Marine Wax can be handy.


| By