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 Wax for the topsides and cockpit
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SKS
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/02/2022 :  10:11:51  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
What's a good wax for the topsides and cockpit?
I know putting wax on the topsides seems counter-intuitive. I don't want the top to be too slippery.
I have a 1986 boat that I just pressure washed, so it's spotless.
All the chalk is gone from the surface.
The gel coat has become porous over the years and I want to seal it off before it gets dirty again.
I've read where PoliSeal isn't good for topsides.
I've tried teh search function, but I'm not getting any useful posts.

"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339
Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5881 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2022 :  11:00:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I wax the hull but have never waxed the decks or cockpits of any of my boats. It's much too dangerous.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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SKS
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2022 :  16:18:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I found this. I'll give it a try

https://mckees37.com/collections/nautical-one-marine-care/products/nautical-one-non-skid-sealer-protectant

"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339
Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5307 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2022 :  19:27:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It sounds pretty easy. I have a boat cleaner with TPFE in it (aka Teflon) which I believe is slick.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9043 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2022 :  20:23:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I clean my decks and cockpit with Star Brite Non-skid Deck Cleaner, which leaves a light film of PTEF (otherwise known as PTFE) that is briefly slippery, but not after it dries. It seems to keep chalking in check when used periodically (like twice a year here in CT). The container can be hard to hold onto when wet cleaner gets on the outside. My cabin sides aren't exactly shiny, but they're clean and bright. It's a boat after all--not a Ferrari. ...or it's a sailboat, not a Sea Ray. As Steve alludes, sailboats need workable decks--Sea Rays, neh!

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/02/2022 20:29:22
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OLarryR
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Response Posted - 08/02/2022 :  22:05:43  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
For the deck which mostly has the non-skid surfaces, I utilize Starbrite Non-skid cleaner for similar reasons/details as Dave stated.

For the cockpit areas that are textured, I mostly use the Starbrite Non-skid cleaner. For the cockpit and companionway smooth surfaces, I initially use a polish wax or if need be, 3M Oxidation cleaner and wax. Then I use 3M Pure Wax. I find that I can usually get away with only having to apply the 3M Pure Wax if I re-apply timely, ~ every 2 months. In between, applications, I may wash the boat or use Starbrite Black Streak Cleaner now and then. Doing this for many years using primarily the Pure Wax, I only sparingly have a need to use the Oxidation cleaner/wax but tend to use the Polish/Wax more so....perhaps once a year over most cockpit surfaces. Using these products, I do not do significant buffing. I generally apply and buff clean by hand.

Hull sides - Polyglow every 1 - 1 1/2 years.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/02/2022 22:09:48
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5307 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2022 :  10:54:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Well golly! Who’d a thunk it? Starbrite uses a UV protectant called PTEF, NOT Teflon — wikipedia on Teflon — in their deck cleaner. Learn something new every day.

Nonetheless, my boat slip neighbor is a cleaning machine. He owns an older model Northcoast stinkpot that just shines! His bow deck gelcoat literally has a high gloss. No shoes allowed!

Of course my other side neighbor is quite the opposite with his 20ft runabout.

I’m in the middle — I like a clean boat but I’m not fanatical about it.

That’s the great thing about boating - it takes all kinds.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9043 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2022 :  07:12:53  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

Well golly! Who’d a thunk it? Starbrite uses a UV protectant called PTEF, NOT Teflon — wikipedia on Teflon — in their deck cleaner. Learn something new every day....

Ya, I've tried to determine the difference between polytetraethylflourine (PTEF) and polyptetraflouriethylene (PTFE), with no success. Sarbrite claims a registered trademark on "PTEF" while Teflon (PTFE) is a trademark of a spin-off from Dupont. The lack of information made me suspect Starbrite was just working around Dupont's trademark... Starbrite puts their version in all sorts of stuff including things they rebrand for West Marine. It's in their Premium Marine Polish, which is the best I've used on my hull so far. (They haven't paid me to say that... yet! )

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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