Waxing fibreglass hull

Do you agree with my mechanic? Regarding the hull below the waterline on a Cruisers Yachts 3075 - this section was clean/polish/waxed in June 2020, splashed in August and back on the hard in late September. Lake Ontario fresh water. Little to no UV rays on that area while on blocks.

Mechanic says to wax before launch this year.

What say you???

Welcome aboard TF
I would only wax a trailerable boat.
If left in the water and docked, even in fresh water, I bottom paint.
Even the bottom waxes don't prevent growth they only claim to make it "easier" to clean it off. I even tried pressure washing but it still took scrubbing... never again. Do bottom paint while its clean and don't worry.

Bacchus said:

Welcome aboard TF
I would only wax a trailerable boat.
If left in the water and docked, even in fresh water, I bottom paint.
Even the bottom waxes don't prevent growth they only claim to make it "easier" to clean it off. I even tried pressure washing but it still took scrubbing... never again. Do bottom paint while its clean and don't worry.

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+1. If it stays in the water for the season bottom paint it. But before you bottom paint it put an epoxy barrier coat on it. Something like Interlux Interprotect. Do it exactly per the instructions and don’t put lees than recommended. It will probably take 4 or 5 coats of the barrier coat to do the job properly.

Comodave said:

+1. If it stays in the water for the season bottom paint it. But before you bottom paint it put an epoxy barrier coat on it. Something like Interlux Interprotect. Do it exactly per the instructions and don’t put lees than recommended. It will probably take 4 or 5 coats of the barrier coat to do the job properly.

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Very good idea if you plan to keep the boat for any time. If you need or want to do it later it is a major PITA. . Been there, done that as well. NEVER will DIY again.

I agree with the others!!
If this boat is a trailer boat, hauled out after each use, then waxing the below water line bottom is fine. Otherwise, an epoxy barrier coat with bottom paint is the way to go for a boat that will live in the water for a decent period of time. JMHO.

Yes to antifouling, but I'm not sure an epoxy barrier coat is needed unless the boat will be in the water permanently. Lots of good paints will go straight on the bottom with proper prep. Check with local experts and paint mfgs.

Barrier is likely not a must.
Talk to neighbors with other similar boats and see if they have had blisters and did barrier eventually. Doing it later and paying for prep likely 5X to w 10X the cost of barrier material if DIY now before any bottom paint. It isn't much different / harder than DIY bottom paint if done before.

If you put a barrier coat on a new boat it is just a matter of dewaxing the hull, sanding to get some tooth and then multiple coats of the barrier coat paint. If on the other hand you do not barrier coat the boat and it does get blisters, it can cost easily $10K+ to repair the hull. The paint might cost $500 or so and some simple, but hard on the back, labor to do the barrier coat. Not worth taking a chance, cause once the blisters show up it is too late to go back and put on a barrier coat. Our current boat had blisters and the PO had the hull peeled and built back up, over $18K.

Missing info

I should have mentioned - my bad - the hull was bottom painted the year before the year it was clean/polish/wax.

I am not sure what you are saying, was it bottom painted and then waxed??? Or was it waxed before it was bottom painted? If it is bottom painted then you do not wax it. If it was waxed before it was bottom painted then hopefully they dewaxed it thoroughly before it was painted. But if the boat has not been painted yet, then I would put a barrier coat on. If it has already been bottom painted the in order to barrier coat it the bottom paint would have to be removed first.

I'll venture a guess that if bottom painted maybe you are talking about waxing below the rub rail not below the waterline??

beginning to understand

I think I see where the confusion started for me - I thought he was telling me to wax the bottom painted part of the hull, and so I asked him if he meant the part under the water. He has a strong accent, and I thought he was telling me it needed to be done every year - but he obviously must have been referring to the area below the rub rail and above the waterline. I'd never heard of waxing bottom paint, so became confused.

Thx for all the input

No problem, we are here to help, or confuse whichever you prefer...

Ian
No worry... we all get off topic at times and sometimes offer some crazy suggestions. There's a lot of knowledge here on TF so keep asking questions and challenging us.

Glad that got resolved.
Which antifoul paint is used on boats that are hauled out for winter? I`m thinking hard rather than ablative/soft.
And how often do you need to repaint?
Boats here stay usually in the water all year, so I`m curious how this works.

BruceK said:

Glad that got resolved.
Which antifoul paint is used on boats that are hauled out for winter? I`m thinking hard rather than ablative/soft.
And how often do you need to repaint?
Boats here stay usually in the water all year, so I`m curious how this works.

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Choice of paints can vary by location.
Best to ask around of other boaters, yards and stores locally to find out what works.
I have used Interlux Micron CSC with good results.
I had to change paints when I bought and brought my boat north and it would be hauled vs living in the water 12 mos. I painted in 2013 and have only had to touch up spots since.

We used to wax the bottom of our ski boats. Boats which went 50+ mph. It helped for a while but not for long.

Take a piece of fiberglass, prep and wax the heck out of it and drag it behind your boat for a few hours. You will see if it does any good.

pete

All good info

At haul-out at the end of our second season of boating (2019)the crane dropped our boat onto the blocks, cracking the keel. Insurance company was great and the glass contractor re-cored and epoxied the affected area, and to finish, repainted the entire bottom with Micron CSC which he recommended from his 35 years of experience with freshwater boats.

He wouldn't commit to how long it would last BruceK, just saying we'd get many seasons out of it and to make sure we used the same product when it came time to redo.

TorronaPwr,
As to your "real" question. Yes I would recommend rewaxing the hull of the boat. Fibreglass needs protection from the sun, and an annual clean and wax to provide this protection is never a bad idea. Over the long haul, it will keep you boat looking good and increase (potentially) a future sale in the positive direction (posssibly both in increased price and desirability).

Waxing hull

I agree to waxing the hull/topsides every season. My Albin had been painted w AWLGRIP and I've been told NOT to wax it. Only mild soap wash. Fith season coming up and wondering... Any info on that?

waxing fiberglass hull

Is there any magic liquid out there that is better than wax? Something like what is used on cars from the factory. Apply once and it last forever.
Thanks

Epoxy Lady said:

I agree to waxing the hull/topsides every season. My Albin had been painted w AWLGRIP and I've been told NOT to wax it. Only mild soap wash. Fith season coming up and wondering... Any info on that?

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Most 2 part poly paints are not supposed to be waxed. The wax will turn yellow. Not sure of any other issues with waxing it but it should not be needed.

Barrie said:

Is there any magic liquid out there that is better than wax? Something like what is used on cars from the factory. Apply once and it last forever.
Thanks

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These days "wax" is almost a misnomer as many arecreally polymer based and don't build up and yellow like conventional waxes. The other factor is generally they are much easier on/off than conventional waxes.
Awlgrip /Awlcraft recommends their Awlcare which is a polymer based product. It isn't terrible expensive and works well. My wife frequently has done beliw the rub rail by hand while I'm taking care of other spring chores. Nu Finish is inexpensive and has worked as well as many high end polymers Ive tried..
None I've used last forever but they are much better than old school waxes

Right, Awlcare is a sealer per Awlgrip not a wax. I like that it is supposed to last through multiple washings, is that 2 washings or 20?

Awlcare is a protective polymer sealer, formulated to protect Awlgrip, Awlcraft 2000 and Awlgrip HDT from acid rain, environmental pollutants and abrasion. Leaves a non-yellowing protective coat that lasts through multiple washings.

Epoxy Lady said:

I agree to waxing the hull/topsides every season. My Albin had been painted w AWLGRIP and I've been told NOT to wax it. Only mild soap wash. Fith season coming up and wondering... Any info on that?

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Consensus is not to wax Awlgrip, although I'm not sure I 100% agree. You are supposed to use Awlwash to wash with and Awlcare to "wax" with. I use Awlcare at beginning and end of season when it's out of the water, and Awlwash when it's in the water. They work well, but I remain skeptical that other wash and waxes can't be used.

Always good to wax the hull above the waterline at least at start of season or more often if you can. If you trailer a boat and it's not painted, I have always believed that waxing the hull will reduce speed, not increase it. It's counter-intuitive but has to do with the surface tension of the wetted surface. There are plenty of articles online about it. I remember America's cup boats used a special coating or adhesive material to create a more rough surface on the hull. A highly waxed slippery hull will be slower. Go figure....

one article follows:

Don'tWax

backinblue said:

Consensus is not to wax Awlgrip, although I'm not sure I 100% agree. You are supposed to use Awlwash to wash with and Awlcare to "wax" with. I use Awlcare at beginning and end of season when it's out of the water, and Awlwash when it's in the water. They work well, but I remain skeptical that other wash and waxes can't be used.

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Interesting article on which is faster!
I'm with you re: other products used on Awlgrip / Awlcraft.
My conclusion is use of a wash that leaves no residue and washes off easily. When on the hard I always finish with a vinegar spray to reduce hard water spotting. Sometimes do this in the water when I can reach with a long handles mop head.

I have used other polymer "waxes" with similar results to Awlcare... NuFinish is very similar in consistency and application and it's readily available.

The discussion re speed doesn't rally apply as I believe this thread is all about waxing lower hull above waterline so not normally the "wetted" surface.

I mentioned the speed issue only because a few posts recommended waxing the hull for boats that are on trailers and no painted. Some even claim it adds speed, but I suspect that is more psychological or maybe just because as the wax wears off, the bottom also accumulates some dirt or scum, etc