How Often Should You Wax a Boat?

You work hard to take care of your boat. You keep the upholstery as clean as you possibly can and make sure it's properly fueled at all times. 

Maintaining a boat is hard work. Especially when it comes time to take care of its paint job. But it's worth it to keep your boat looking nice. The amount of maintenance needed makes it easy to forget some things though.

For example, did you remember to wax your boat?

If you keep a busy schedule, getting out to wax a boat is usually the thing that gets forgotten first. But it's important for protecting your boat's paint job. 

If you live in an area with a lot of bird activity, the acidity of bird poop can damage paint over time. Sunlight also causes damage if your boat is left outside a lot. And every time you use your boat exposes it to harsh salt and grime in the waters. 

But how do you go about waxing a boat? It's a long process, but it isn't necessarily hard to do.

This article is everything you need to know about boat waxing so you can take care of your new boat with confidence.

How to Wax a Boat

If you plan to wax the boat yourself, knowing how to wax your boat is just as important as knowing how often to wax it. Follow these steps every time you go to wax your boat.

1. Wash Your Boat

Before you can actually begin waxing your boat, you need to scrub it down first. If you don't, then all the dirt and grime that collects each time you use it will just get trapped under the wax. Part of the point of waxing is to protect your boat's appearance so that your boat will stay as beautiful as the day you bought it and run just as smoothly.

The first thing you should do to begin this process is to have your boat lifted out of the water where you can reach the entire bottom. Then you should do a preliminary rinse of the entire underside of the boat. We recommend using a soap foamer to help. This will loosen up a lot of the grime that you're about to wash off of it.

Then the next thing you need to do is scrub the entire hull of the boat with soap and water. Most experts will recommend using boat soap and water to get the job done. However, this will depend on the material that your boat is made of. 

If you're not sure about the material your boat is made of, then you might consult an expert before beginning this process. You should really do this step once a month. Again, if dirt and bird poop is getting on the sides of your boat, this can cause damage to the paint on your boat.

2. Wax and Buff

Now it's time for the actual waxing and buffing of your boat. You should be sure to go section by section for this part. 

To complete this part, you'll want to have boat polish wax and some microfiber sponges for waxing. You can buff either using a lot of elbow grease or use a power buffer. Either way, you should expect to be working on your boat for at least an afternoon.

You want to start waxing one section first and then stop for buffing. This is to prevent the wax from getting too hard on your boat. If you do this part right, then you should notice your boat starting to shine and look clean. Make sure you go in small circular motions for the best results.

You should repeat this process until you've finished the entire underside of your boat. Be careful not to rush this process or you might spoil the effect that the wax is supposed to have. 

How Often Should You Wax Your Boat?

While you should wash your boat at least once a month, you don't necessarily have to wax it after every wash. You want to wash it that often only if you keep your boat outside where it can get bird poop and dirt on it so that the acidity doesn't damage your boat's paint job. Meanwhile, waxing protects the paint from chipping, peeling, and UV damage. Our marine polish is the perfect solution to protect your boat.

In other words, if you keep your boat in a garage most of the time, you probably don't need to wash and wax nearly as often as you would if your boat tends to stay outside. For the most part, you can really use your best judgment for how often to wax your boat. 

However, most experts will recommend that most boats should be waxed every three or four months. This is generally for people who use their boats more often and keep them outside where they might get damaged by the Sun. 

If your boat is kept inside a garage where it's not exposed to dirt or sunlight, you can probably get away with waxing every six months. This is because your boat's paint won't get damaged as quickly by acidic bird poop or UV light. These are the main things that you are trying to protect your boat from when you wax it.

Either way, you should be sure to clean and wax your boat regularly. This will ensure its beauty and lifespan will be extended as far as possible.

Get What You Need to Wax a Boat Today

If you think it's time for your boat to get a good waxing, then you're gonna need the right supplies for the job. Aside from the wax itself, you'll also need brushes, soap, and microfiber cloths to get the job done. 

And the best place to get them is at The Better Boat. We have a wide selection of cleaners, cleaning cloths, and kits for whatever features your boat might have. We're your one-stop shop for all of your boat care needs! Go ahead and check out our high-quality products today!