By Richard Kittar, CEO
Posted Saturday, August 8, 2009
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 There is a lot of confusion about the two and their differences because in common language, they are used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Boat cleaning and boat maintenance is an essential part of owning any type of a boat or yacht. It is absolutely crucial to understand and know how to use high quality products to get the best results versus time and effort put in. Aurora Marine boat care products have been around for 30 years and are considered to be top of the line in the industry, however very often overlooked by many boaters who are used to the brand name products by 3M and such.
Boat waxes are usually made from natural and synthetic waxes such as Bees Wax, Paraffin and Carnauba. Carnauba waxes are the most popular because they can be buffed to a high shine. The friction from buffing these heat-sensitive waxes melts them and causes them to flow and layer so that they reflect light, which produces the shine. That's why buffing machines are so popular with people that apply wax. Other products made from these waxes are Shoe Polish and Floor Wax. As far as boats go VS721 is the best rated and most respectable alternative to a boat wax for boat hull care.
Advantages of boat wax: Known technology. No investment in new technology required. Boat wax coatings have been around for centuries. Good hiding power. Fills in minor scratches and abrasions. Economical to manufacture. Method of application is well understood.
Disadvantages of boat wax: Heat sensitive. Sun melts it and makes it greasy, which attracts and holds dirt and black streaks. Stains. Heat releases the natural yellow / brown stain, which can stain your gelcoat. Difficult to apply. Requires aggressive buffing for best results. Limited life. Breaks down rapidly, limiting the protection of your boat care product.
Boat Polish is usually made from synthetic products. There are many variations and they all have different properties. It's important to understand the differences so that you can select the best for your boat cleaning application.
Synthetic boat polishes like Aurora Premium Boat Shine are made from polymers, synthetic waxes, UV inhibitors, antioxidants, and other ingredients. They resemble liquid waxes in application, but they are easy to apply and self polishing (wipe on - wipe off haze) and do not require buffing to get a brilliant shine. They are not heat sensitive so they don't become greasy. They will not yellow and stain. They have good resistance to UV and oxidation. They have longer life than boat waxes and because they are hard and not greasy, they repel dust and dirt, making boat cleaning and boat maintenace easier. These polishes are recommended for protecting new boats and boats that have a reasonably clean finish.
Boat Cleaning article by Aurora Marine.
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