Re: One Step Wax/Cleaners
I have quite a bit of experience with this and just went through the whole process again, I'll pitch in. If the boat doesn't have any oxidization, any of the one-step products will work, McGuiers is my preference but 3M product is just as good probably (I like the smell of the McGuiers
. You'll have better results with a power buffer/polisher than you will by hand. Any oxidization HAS to be removed. Wax will only hide it (sort of) temporarily. In these areas use a 2000 grit paper and wet sand the area. You can check your progress by drying it and taking a close look. Once all the oxidization is gone I like to use a rubbing compound and work the area with the polisher until the compound is dry and the surface is shiny.
Nope, you're not done yet
Take the polishing cloth off the buffer and wash it... too much grit it in. Put on a new cloth, then (I) use a McGuiers swirl remover and work it in the same way until the paste is dry and the hull is shiny. There shouldn't be any swirls left now but check. Change your polishing wheel or at least wash it again. The last step is the wax and it's a no-brainer when the hull is in this good of shape now... wax on - wax off. You may have slightly better results by rubbing in a straight motion instead of a circular one (like waxing a black vehicle).
It's best to work in 2 or 3 foot patches to keep the products from drying out too quickly. Stay away from cleats and antenna wires when you've got power buffer going but it does a nice job on your aluminum and stainless trim. Don't spend much time with grit compounds over your decals and try to get the wheel to go along the edge of the letters not straight across them. Clean the wax out of the corners and edges with a toothbrush and your wifeys favorite cotton blouse (why am I single?).
My boats have all been in the 26' range and they take about (using a power buffer and depending on how much wet sanding there is) 10 hours for a bridge boat and 8 for an express... a 20'ish runabout shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 hours.
If you do this your shiny little boat will sparkle amongst the others.
