Hull Wax

[KenKrawford]

I haven't seen any reviews lately on hull wax products. In the auto world there's a lot of hype on Teflon based products. What have you used recently and how's it working out?

[Olivia Mae]

I've used Starbrite Marine Wax with ptef for a number of years with good results. It outlasts any other marine wax I've used, and I've used a few of them. I use their Cleaner Wax for the first coat and follow it up a second coat of their Marine Polish with ptef.

[KenKrawford]

I had the same recommendation from another C350 owner. Upon searching, the only Starbrite product I can find is Starbrite Marine POLISH with PTEF. My understanding is that polish is used on a clean surface to make it even smoother whereas wax is the final step to protect the surface. When I search for Starbrite Marine Wax with PTEF it takes me to the Polish product. There is a Starbrite Cleaner Wax but that's not what I want. Any thoughts?

[Olivia Mae]

The 2 products that starbrite makes are the Cleaner Wax with ptef and the Marine Polish with ptef. They are the same product with the exception that the cleaner wax has a slight abrasive in it which will take off any dirt embedded on the fiberglass surface. The term "polish" is a bit of a misnomer.

I use the cleaner wax first, and put another coat of the polish a day later. The polish product does nothing to remove any grime so you need a very clean surface to use it by itself. I've only ever done this on a freshly buffed (polished) hull, or on a vehicle surface. It holds up a long time on cars too.

The only negative for the Starbrite product is it can have a bit of a smeary look right after you put it on depending on the light and angle, so not a good choice for a dark colored vehicle. That does go away the first time you wash it. On a boat a couple of rainstorms and general use has any smeary appearance gone within a week or 2.