Does Boat Wax Protect Your Boat From Scratches?

Do you want to keep your boat safe and spotless? As a boat owner, you should give due attention to protecting your boat’s hull because it is always vulnerable to many elements, including the sun, bird poop, and salty water. It is also more prone to cracks and scratches that deteriorate its look. Most people find boat wax a good option to level up their boat’s protection and keep it in pristine condition. But if you are skeptical about the benefits of waxing, dive into this guide to explore what it can bring to the table.

WHY DOES YOUR BOAT NEED BOAT WAX?

Protects from salt

Boat wax safeguards your boat from corrosion and chemical breakdown caused due to the salty water.

Eases regular cleaning

Organic buildups such as barnacles can stick to your boat’s bottom surface, and boat wax can help you get rid of them easily. Waxed surfaces also make it difficult for the grime to stick to your boat, making regular cleaning a breeze.

Safeguards paint from scratches

An excellent synthetic wax blocks the air and helps you repair the gel coat of your boat. To remove small scuffs and scratches, you just need to wet-sand and buff them with the wax to restore their shine. But if it has deep scratches, you may require gel coat spray to cure them.

Minimizes sun damage

The prolonged exposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays may lead to the molecular breakdown of fiberglass and paint. But boat wax can easily combat UV damage and help you maintain the look of your boat.

Promotes fuel economy

Boat wax can also save you a few dollars on fuel as it helps your boat glide smoothly over water while reducing drag.

Protects paintings and decals

Does your boat have newly applied stickers and decals? Waxing your boat is an ideal way to prevent the images, pinstriping, or graphics on your boat’s hull from wear and tear. As a result, you need not waste time scraping off the deteriorated ones or money on reapplying the fresh ones.

Lowers repair costs

Boat waxing facilitates maintenance and efficiently protects the boat’s hull, lowering the maintenance or repair costs significantly.

HOW OFTEN DOES YOUR BOAT NEED TO BE POLISHED?

If your boat stays inside a garage and remains unexposed to sunlight, dirt, or bird poop, you should get it waxed every six months. On the other hand, the boat that stays outside and is more frequently used becomes susceptible to dirt, scratches, and UV light. So, waxing it every three or four months can help you protect its paint from peeling, chipping, or scratching.

HOW SHOULD YOU WAX YOUR BOAT?

Waxing a boat is not a tough job. You can easily do it yourself by following these steps:

Scrub and rinse

Firstly, get your boat lifted up in a way that you can have easy access to its bottom and wash it thoroughly. It would be better to use a soap foamer to loosen up the collected grime. After this, scrub the boat’s hull using soap and water.

Wax and buff

Get some microfiber sponges and boat polish wax. You can apply the wax by hand or using a power buffer section by section, followed by rubbing so that it doesn’t get very hard on your boat. Keep repeating the process till you finish the whole underside of the boat, and be sure to go in small circular motions for a cleaner and shinier look.

FINAL WORDS

Apart from protecting your boat against scratches, boat wax can also shield it from salt water, algae, corrosion, and UV rays. So, you shouldn’t skip waxing it even if it appears good visually. But make sure to get your hands on high-quality boat wax if you want to protect your boat against scratches while maintaining its shine and color for a long time.