First Rate Buff and Wax
Oxidation makes your boat look dull, and bird droppings and dirt do not wash off as easily. A one step wax program ignores the underlying problem of oxidized gel-coat. With our two step process, we first remove the oxidation with a buffing compound and then we apply wax.
How does our buffing process work?
We first apply a diminishing abrasive. While we are constantly trying new compounds, we have found MPS to be the best product on the market. It is a water based compound which is silicon free. It leaves a clean cut exactly like 3M’s Perfect It line, but without the price tag and health hazards.
After application, we work/buff the compound off with a 3M Perfect It buffing pad at plus or minus 2000 RPM. Working the compound insures proper breakdown of the beads in the compound. These beads act like a fine sandpaper. As the rough oxidized surface becomes smoother, pressure from the buffer helps to make the beads become smaller and smaller. This end product is a smooth and glossy show room finish.
Not all buff jobs are created equal. First Mate employees have hundreds of hours behind a buffing “wheel”. What does this mean for our customers? We work efficiently and the outcome is second to none.
After we are finished buff, we give the boat a good wash to remove buffer dust and ensure a perfectly clean surface for waxing. Now onto step 2!
Wax On – Wax Off
A regularly scheduled wax program will help prevent your boat from becoming oxidized and dull looking. Keeping up on your wax will also make it more difficult for dirt to stick to you boat. A wax barrier makes it easier to keep your boat clean and looking “First Rate”.
With a properly prepared surface (following a buff and/or a wash), we then apply wax. We use Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine Wax. Meguiar’s is an acrylic wax which creates an invisible waterproof and UV protection barrier between a boat’s gel-coat (or paint) and the elements.
We apply wax in two ways. One wide open surfaces, such as hullsides, large toe rails, and hard tops, First Mate uses 5″ random orbital buffers with microfiber bonnets. For smaller areas where the buffer does not fit, we apply wax by hand using an applicator pad. After allowing the wax to properly “flash” (fancypants word for dry), we then remove the wax.
Similar to our two application methods, we have two removal methods. One way to use a wool 9″ wool pad spinning at about 1200 RPM on our larger buffers. The other method is manual removal of the wax by hand with a microfiber cloth. Using microfiber clothes limits the amount of dust created by excess wax. Both methods leave a shiny and smooth finish.
Along with waxing smooth services, we also are sure to wax any steel on the boat. This helps to prevent water spotting and makes it easier to keep your boat looking “First Rate”. Upon request we can also wax (or Rain-X) windows.
