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Best Boat Waxes Reviewed
Taking the leap into buying a really nice boat is a significant investment. But it is also an investment that provides countless hours of enjoyment.
Whether you enjoy fishing, sailing, diving, or other watersports, if you take pride in keeping your boat in tip-top shape, then you know how important it is to do regular maintenance.
However, as you’ll soon find out, there’s a lot of options when it comes to boat wax out there.
When you’re looking for the best boat wax to maintain your investment, there are some important points that will help bring a renewed luster and shine to your watercraft. Applying them correctly will make all the difference.
In order to ensure that your boat stays in tip-top condition and looks as good as possible, it’s important that you’re treating it with high-quality boat wax on a regular basis. You don’t want to deal with heavy oxidation on your finish, or corrosion on hardware.
Considering whether you need a boat wax for gelcoat or fiberglass is also important. Some boat waxes offer special formulas for one particular surface coating, and others are meant for treating both types of surfaces.
If you already have heavy oxidation then you’ll want something formulated for that purpose, like the 3M marine restorer we reviewed below. For boats that see a lot of time on the water, marine oxidation can cause significant build-up and require a lot more elbow grease to remove. For larger vessels, it will be very worthwhile to consider a boat buffer to speed up the cleaning and application process.
Getting the wrong type of marine wax could mean doing more harm than good, or even damaging your surface finish permanently.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the best boat wax options available to purchase.
Top Marine Wax Comparison Chart
Best Boat Wax
1. Meguiar’s M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax
MEGUIAR’S Premium Marine Wax
It’s a fiberglass boat wax, which means that it offers a high level of protection for fiberglass, as well as gel coat surfaces. You’ll find that after using this easy to use wax that the appearance of light scratches, swirls, and oxidation has been greatly reduced, or eliminated.
If you take a look at reviews, you’ll find many customers who are extremely happy with the results that Meguiar’s Premium Marine Wax has provided, with many saying that it is the best boat wax for gelcoat, hands-down.
But it’s not just about the end-product; the process is also important. And on this front, Meguiar’s Premium Marine Wax scores highly. Indeed, the ‘how to use’ guide couldn’t be simpler.
You just need to wash your boat, apply the boat wax by hand or with a boat polishing kit, and wipe away any excess residue. And just like that, you’ll notice that your boat looks a lot better!
In terms of excellent boat wax, it’s hard to look past this option, which is a great investment.
2. 3M Marine Restorer & Boat Wax
3M Marine Boat Wax 09006
Professionals swear by 3M Marine Restorer & Wax, which was scientifically formulated so that it can restore both fiberglass and gel coat surfaces on boats.
So if your boat is beginning to show its age, and doesn’t look quite as sparkling as it once did, then it’s worthwhile looking at this wax option.
Indeed, this item is more like two products in one. It both restores the shine that all boats are prone to losing, while also protecting it for the future.
You’ll also find that it’s more than capable of tackling some of the core problems that can attack boats, such as oxidation and rust deposits.
On the protection front, it’ll help to keep your boat looking great even when it’s subjected to the harmful rays of the sun and other weather, such as heavy rain.
The reviews are positive, with many consumers saying that it helped to restore old boats back to their former glory, and they also applaud the ease of use.
In short, this is a boat wax that’ll help to revive boats that are beginning to look past their best, and could be a great option for bringing back your boat to it’s younger years.
Check out the results from 3M Marine Restorer & Boat Wax:
3. Boat Juice Cleaner Kit
Boat Juice Cleaner Kit
Inside the package, you’ll find a number of items that can really help to improve the look of your boat, both inside and out.
The exterior product is a wax that contains a polymer wax sealant, which means that it won’t just make your boat look great again: it’ll also protect it against the things that can compromise the look in the future.
The cleaner will remove any number of irritating aesthetic problems that boats can have, including hard water spots and mineral deposits.
And it’s oh so easy to use, too. All you need to do is spray the wax on, and then wipe it off. You’ll have to work a little harder, using a little elbow grease to get the more challenging spots off your boat, but they will come off and you’ll be thrilled with the results.
As well as protecting it for the future, the after finish includes a glossy look that can really make your boat shine out on the water.
Perhaps the most important selling point for this wax is that it just doesn’t take care of the outside of your boat; it can also handle some of the marks that you have inside your boat.
The interior wax will successfully tackle problems on any upholstery, vinyl, plastic, carpet, or foam foaming that you have on the inside of your boat. So it’s one kit, but used all together, it can breathe new life throughout all aspects of your boat.
And there are a couple of big bonuses to this product too: the first is that it smells great (some waxes can smell a little too much of chemicals), and the second is that it can also be used on other things, such as your car or motorbike. In this sense, you’re not just buying a wax for your boat, but for all of the vehicles in your life.
4. Woody Wax Boat Polish
Woody Wax
It’s so simple to apply, and then you can just wipe it down with a cloth. After that, you’ll be done, and you’ll notice the positive results almost instantly.
It’s been designed to combat the many things that can affect the appearance and longevity of boats, including corrosion from saltwater, sunlight, other weather, and oxidation.
After you’ve finished applying it, you’ll notice the absence of something that many other wax products produce: a sticky film on top. Instead, you’ll get a showroom worthy boat, restoring your vessel to how it looked when you first bought it.
One of the reasons why this product is so popular is because so many consumers have given it full marks when it comes to reviews. Many experienced boaters say that this is the best product they’ve ever used on their boat!
As an additional touch, the customer service is outstanding. If you have questions or comments, you can just get in touch with the company, and in some cases talk directly with Woody. It’s not necessarily the cheapest wax for your boat that you can buy, but the people that do invest in it swear by the results, and become loyal customers, which is just about as high a recommendation as you can get.
5. 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax 09030r
3M Marine Boat Wax 09030
Designed for use on fiberglass, gel coats and topside paints, this top of the line wax includes carnauba as an ingredient, which provides the wax with a deep shine and beautiful glossy finish.
It’s easy to apply too; all you need to do is apply the wax, and then wipe it off. And just like that, you’ll have a boat that looks brand new, and which is ready to go back out onto the water looking as good as possible.
If you don’t want to use a rag to apply the wax, you can use a boat buffer.
It won’t just provide an outstanding look once, however; it’ll be something that you notice again and again, since the effects of this wax are long-lasting. Consumers say that, as a bonus, it also smells great – not the most important detail, but also welcome.
What to Look For in the Top Boat Waxes
As we said earlier, there are a lot of options out there. So if you’re going to buy the one that’s right for you, and which works to a high standard, then you’ll need to know what you should look for. Below we’ll take a look at a few of the features that you’ll typically find in a high-quality wax option.
Does It Deliver Results?
Ultimately, if you’re going to spend your time, money, and effort buying and then applying a boat wax product, then you’ll want to ensure that the results are as good as possible. When you’re looking for a wax to use on your boat, take a look at what it says it’ll do. Is it going to offer just a protective layer that’ll keep future damage to a minimum, or is it going to combat some of the problems that already exist? Some waxes will take care of light marks and oxidation, while others will just focus on oxidation. As such, it’s a good idea to take a look at your boat and figure out what problems you’re trying to solve with the wax. It’ll be much easier to buy a product once you know what you hope to achieve!
Long Lasting Finish
There are some waxes out there that’ll have your boat looking amazing, but soon you’ll find that you have to go through the whole process again. For this reason, it’s important to focus on how long the results will last — if it’s only a short period, then it’ll be best to choose another product that has longer-lasting results (unless you really like cleaning your boat, of course). One thing to keep in mind when it comes to durability is that the length of time will be different, depending on the climate and usage of the time. If you live in an area that receives heavy sunshine or other extreme weather, then you may want to pick a wax that is designed with that specific climate in mind.
How Easy Is It To Apply?
There will be specific instructions for each marine wax. Some will be easy to apply, while others will require specialist equipment. When you’re making your choice, think about the size of your boat, how much free time you have to do the job, and whether you have access to the specialist equipment that might be required, such as a buffer. For most smaller boats, specialist equipment is not required; there are enough options out there that only require a cloth and your hand. In any case, it’s best to read through the instructions carefully, since some products say that their wax shouldn’t be wiped away with a cloth after application.
The Price Point
As with most products, there is a range of potential costs when it comes to your boat wax. You can buy cheaper or more expensive products. So it’s important to think about how much you want to spend on your wax. If you spend too little, then you may not get the results that you were hoping for. On the other end of the spectrum, spending the most amount of money doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get better results; it’ll just mean that you’ll have spent more money. Some products are designed for larger boats, boats that are made out of specialist materials, and boats that spend their time in difficult climates — while they may work for your boat, you’ll just be paying more for a level of strength that you don’t need.
My Final Thoughts On Boat Wax
It’s really important to look after your boat, and this means taking care of any problems as and when they arrive, and also protecting your boat so that it looks just as good in the future. Your boat wax will be a fundamental part of your boat-care process. Take a look at the options outlined above, find the one that’s right for your boat, and get to work. You’ll notice that it’s much more enjoyable to spend time on your boat when it looks as if it has come straight out of the showroom, and can also ensure that your boat lasts longer. Essentially, a boat wax is a small investment that will pay itself back again and again.