How to Buff and Wax a Boat

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Most popular comments
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Local boydidgood - 5 years ago

https://youtu.be/0l6Dil2l0Cc
Double-sided pads
DWP849x buffer (we helped design btw's)
The boat, compound or pad care not how you apply the compound. What's important is speed, efficiency and waste-reduction.
Cross-cut then smooth flat. Slow-faster-slow, work until only an oily residue is left (unless using a water-based compound - don't )
Edgless microfiber towels.
Basically stop Only when it looks like wet paint. If you can't achieve that yet, finish with a random. Orbital buffer and a light cleaner wax (never carnuba!!!) wipe clean and do it again in 6-8 months.
Or, get down to fresh gelcoat and lock it in with RMP for almost 3 years once it looks wet. Nylon/wool pad or soft foam.
The only way to really know if you are at "wet" real wet, clean with a degreaser/iso and look at it without the oils from the compound still in the gelcoat pores. Fatal mistake for noobs.
www.deckhanddetailing.com

JMcmstr08 - 5 years ago

Part number for GHETTO TAPE?

J.T. Blair - 5 years ago

How not to polish a boat...

Howard Bodiford - 5 years ago

Like that !

MrDINO6969 - 5 years ago

I STEP IS POSSIBLE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU DID FOR TENDERS TO M/Y I CAN DO SAME AND IN 5 MIN ON THE BLUE HULL MY TECH

Mobiledetail1 Seattle - 5 years ago

Many ways to skin a cat as they say... dark colors definitely require more passes and product than light colors. Overall good results.

PremiumVideos - 5 years ago

https://www.facebook.com/premiumyachtdetailing/

B Stav - 5 years ago

Awesome job and awesome video! The company that details my boat just told me they closed up shop. I'm gonna have to detail my boat myself this year. Thank you for this tutorial!

Matt Perras - 5 years ago

Dumb question but do you always go from high to medium to fine grade on all boat detailing jobs? And do you use a different microfiber for taking off all different types of compound? And for the waxing, was that in the random orbit mode? and when can I use random orbit or a regular polisher while detailing?

10. comment for How to Buff and Wax a Boat

Michiel de Ruyter - 5 years ago

Now you have to do the complete boat

Thompson BMX - 6 years ago

I want that sweet tripod.

Fish Man - 6 years ago

Great info. I watched this because I purchased a bass boat that had very coarse sand feel to it. I started with 1000 grit wet sand and it looked like it was gonna take me weeks. I did what you said and hit it with a coarse paper. I used 400 grit, Then 1500, then 2000 then meguiars compound, then Meguiar's polish and oh my goodness. It looks brand new. Thank you so much.

David Sherbert - 6 years ago

yeah, it works the same way as waxing and buffing a car.....duh...

Joseph Brendel - 6 years ago

WHY NOT TARP THE WORK AREA? JUST ASKING OLD ONE LEGGED JOSEPH T RETIRED NAVY

Andrew Slinkard - 6 years ago

to many steps you can get the same result with a quarter of the time not saying that he's not good but if you do this for a living you would lose money it's got a lot to do with the product that you use just use a one step compound or if it's bad maybe a super 600 don't get me wrong this guy is a professional and great at what he does but this method is to time consuming if you are doing four or five boat's a day my work looks just as good in half the time and I live in South South Florida

Abel Vazquez - 6 years ago

If you are doing four to five boats a day you are not doing a very good job.

Daniel Barnes - 6 years ago

Blah blah can’t understand a fucking word this guy is saying

JRX 2 - 6 years ago

real nice!

eloyex - 6 years ago

hahahaha !!!! I dont agree on couple of things, but overall is a nice video !

Jms Fabrication - 6 years ago

I thought you weren't suppose to polish in direct sunlight?

20. comment for How to Buff and Wax a Boat

Tony Evans - 6 years ago

N.I.C.E.

Jay dog38 - 6 years ago

Hey bud u missed a spot.

tyui vhjh - 6 years ago

When it gets real hot do you add water to your compound

ToLoveForPeace - 6 years ago

At this rate it will be done in 2 months?

joshuatetley - 6 years ago

This should not be construed as negative, but people learning from this video also have to understand what a scratch/blemish is and need to look at their boats and understand what is a problem and what isn't i.e a gel/paint coat when newly applied only has so many microns of depth . Each scratch creates a channel that is lower than the top coat, therefore you need to decide before you polish your boat whether you want to try and recreate the original flat uniform surface it should have had when purchased as new. The reason I mention this is because if you do want this, depending on the depth you may compromise the integrity of the whole gel/paint coat just to try and buff out a deep scratch. There are too many people/companies claiming they are specialist boat polishers when their only ability is to use hard compounds and create a so called shiny surface to the uninitiated (I am not suggesting this company are, it is a caveat to this video). A true polisher should tell you the limitations of the remaining hull gel or paint and the ramifications of each process. In layman's terms if the boat starts with a hypothetical ten layers of gel/paint, one scratch may go through two layers one through seven, do you choose to lower to seven, thus leaving only three remaining and in a shorter time have an expensive adhoc process. There have been so many advances in technology over the years enhancing the life span of boats, someone whose first instinct is to use a cutting compound should be able to explain the rational through a series of test patches low impact first.

Joseph Montanaro - 6 years ago

I have a sea ray 23 1987 same color blue and will do mine soon great video.

Michael L - 6 years ago

Its 2018 did you ever fishing that 52' ?

Nick Appleberry - 6 years ago

Is there any opposition to applying wax in forced rotation? Is foam preferable for this on gelcoat?

Brandon Stoudt - 6 years ago

What would you charge per ft to do this?

Sentry Construction llc - 6 years ago

Try some Collonite and you'll never buy any other wax bullshit ever again!

30. comment for How to Buff and Wax a Boat

Devon McCormick - 6 years ago

Awesome video. I need to do this to mine

Cyrus Sarraf - 6 years ago

How much pressure do you apply to the buffer?

oldwillie313 - 6 years ago

You have the very best buffing video on you tube. Clearly you understand how the products are intended to work. Based on the comments below specifically Dankung, people don't understand how diminishing compound is intended to work. You use it correctly by applying the compound to the entire surface. If the compound is just put on the pad, the grit has already broken down as you move to unpolished areas. You know what you are doing. Many of the other youtube are misleading

detail2u - 6 years ago

Can I ask what is the benefit of spreading the compound by hand with a pad instead of laying down a bead line from the applicator bottle and spreading it with buffer?

Lord Welby - 6 years ago

Excellent information, thank you - now I will go and kick my wet-sanders butt !

MOGENNEGOM - 6 years ago

Why does it have a shiny stripe at the bottom of the dulled blue gel coat that disappears when you buff it? Was a stripe buffed into it before? Just wondering

curt5253 - 6 years ago

who polishes is direct sun ?

Crawford Media Company - 6 years ago

you should become an amazon affiliate and post the links to your part numbers in the description. When we click through those links and buy then you get a commission. A win for everyone!

Super Moto Boy - 6 years ago

after you do this and wax....how often should you wax to maintain?

franck Favre - 6 years ago

hello holograms !! No uniform work, your machine run to fast

David Vanhoosier - 6 years ago

Nice Job!! What do you normally charge to do a boat in that condition?
Also do you use the same steps on a white boat?

Dave Henning - 7 years ago

Thanks for this video, very helpful.

Just a quick question, do you use the vertical tape when you are doing a real job (i.e. not for the video)? I just started my first job on my mostly white sailboat and the vertical stripe seems to make sense to track what I have done and what I haven't.

Also, I have red gelcoat stripes going down the boat. Should I cover them with tape and then go back afterward and do them seperately?

aguyandhiscomputer - 6 years ago

Dave Henning
Used car dealer/detailer here. No, you don't need vertical tape lines. You don't want to have an edge. You'll be able to see which areas need more buffing.

MarineMan - 7 years ago

If you truly want to help your business and your clients you should spend some time watching the videos posted by some of the more seasoned pros in the boat detailing industry. Learn polishing/buffing technique, proper product application and matching the correct tools/pads to the job. Then come back and watch your own video. I bet the skills you acquire will let you complete a boat in 1/2 the time and with much better results.

PRACERZ - 7 years ago

YUP, a lot of talking, working on the hot side in the sun, taping on the compound why ??? Too may no nos !!!

tokillamurderer - 7 years ago

Great video!!

Spencer C - 7 years ago

Thanks for the video man! Keep up the good work!

Capt Larry - - 7 years ago

Thanks ! Always good to watch somebody who is skilled and thinks about the work.

adamwieczorekjr - 7 years ago

Sufferin suckatchhhhhh.......

Don Sandlin - 7 years ago

Very good. Most helpful.

chris Subleski - 7 years ago

Thanks for the video. Did you change the pad after each pass?

50. comment for How to Buff and Wax a Boat

Milton Taylor - 7 years ago

Not an effective professional demonstration. If oxidation was so heavy requiring 3 passes, wet sanding should have preceded the compounding. Based on this guys approach, he would be out there for days doing a marginal job

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

We will have to agree to disagree. Wet sanding is more aggressive and not good for long term care of the boat. You can end up taking off more than is needed to get it looking good. We might do 3 passes on a moderately oxidized boat by doing heavy/medium/fine instead of doing 1 pass with something like 3M Imperial. I'd like to think the change in the boat was a little better than marginal!

Fstarocka Burns - 7 years ago

$129 for 2 quarts very affordable? what am i missing here.. tx for the vid tho - just one product for the whole job? great vid man - looks like ill be hunting for some tools now :/ can i buff out a light dull wet sand spot? also - scratches that are above the surface - should i just buff em out with the 4000 or meguires?

Logan Avery - 7 years ago

Gonna pick one up tomorrow thats a lot worse. It's not even at all shiny. I'm hoping I can save it with some good buffing and wax.

Mike Causey - 7 years ago

Thanks for the info. Great video.

lbbradley55 - 7 years ago

GOOD JOB ON THE BUFFING. I WANT TO ASK YOU HAVE YOU EVER BUFFED A CAPE HORN BOATS...!!! THEY HAVE VERY HIGH END GEAL COATING IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY. I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. BUT HAVE YOU BUFFED ANY & IF SO HOW DID IT TURN OUT. THANKS.

WoodCravings - 7 years ago

Great Video and helpful. Thanks.

jim jones - 7 years ago

Try early morning start and at least wear a painters mask

SERVANT0303 - 7 years ago

NICE JOB

Bob Cutlip - 7 years ago

What is the model/description of that buffer and the pads again? Nice video!

Matthew Harbert - 7 years ago

The more I learn.. the smarter you are. Great job!!!

Corey - 7 years ago

You look good buffing that boat ;)

Jesper broberg - 7 years ago

Waaaay to mutch

aguyandhiscomputer - 7 years ago

Do you ever wash the boat after compounding so there's no grit left over to get in the wax?

djsitt1 - 7 years ago

thanks, very informative!

MightSnow - 7 years ago

What is the tape for?

aguyandhiscomputer - 6 years ago

MightSnow
To show us the before and after.

Mike D - 7 years ago

Great video!, question: how do you buff non skid? I'm sure you've got a trick!

Jude Jones - 6 years ago

Soak it with styrene rags

Chris Carter - 7 years ago

great stuff!!

tokyobosco - 7 years ago

What a great video. I only wish I could have seen how the whole boat came out.

June Hussey - 7 years ago

We learned a lot thanks!

mpotrumpet1 - 7 years ago

How many RPM do you spin the buffer??

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

I start low, to initially work the compound in around 600-800rpm, and minimize sling. To finish, I rev it up to around 2000rpm

Joshua Kim - 7 years ago

wow. worst video production. cmon. point the damn camera at the area you are talking about.

Izzi Michaels - 6 years ago

daniel parret, i agree with your comment but in my experience, you tube is mostly cranky assholes complaining about everything.....lol

Spencer C - 7 years ago

C'mon man! Just be grateful people even set aside some time to try their best to teach us a little something! Poor guys out there sweating his ass off, and I don't think precise camera angles is what he was trying to demonstrate when making the video....cut him some slack!

wirelessaddict - 7 years ago

this is not a blockbuster movie ... neither he is spielberg ... this is juts how to wax your boat ... !

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Sorry Josh! was just me, in the sun, and it was hot! More videos to come.

revolversntulips - 7 years ago

How thorough are you with cleaning before buffing? Just schampo and rinse? Or do you see to it that all different types of dirt is removed before buffing? I'm having some problems removing darker water stains on white gelcoat by hand and then when I start to buff some of it comes off and kinda smears into the buffed area. Anyone got some ideas? I don't want to use too strong chemicals like acetone risking a dryed up gelcoat.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

We are very thorough before buffing! anything left behind is either going to be ground into the boat, or will simply be more work to remove. I am guessing the darker water stains may have some rust in them, or something else that is harder to remove (not just 'water'). Acetone will not help that type of stain, but I would recommedn an acid. Start mild, with vinegar, then use something stronger till you see a difference; lime-away/CLR -> bottom cleaner -> muriatic

Demetris Johnson - 7 years ago

what are the product you use nd buffers you use nd pads?

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

I am not sure what you mean, "ND", can you clarify?

Donald Pavlica - 7 years ago

Great video and thank you. I use a little different approach for boats here in Michigan. In Fla its probably a whole different approach with salt water and heat. As an fyi I use a new 3M 3000 Non Woven Disc, and go right to polish. Ive been doing it this way on cars so I tried it last week on a Crownline and it worked great. I also have it available on my ecommerce site should you be interested . My problem are the bottoms as I approach 70 I'm no spring chicken anymore.. Again I appreciate seeing your videos.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Donald, You are selling a polish? we always love trying new products. A clear coat (or even single stage paint) on a car is a much less porous material than gelcoat, and ages much better. Oxidized gel requires allll these steps. WE do a lot of work in Northern Michigan as well!

theskyerow - 7 years ago

Nice man, thanks for posting this!

Reven327 - 7 years ago

talk way to much

aguyandhiscomputer - 7 years ago

Reven327
*too

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

I recommend the "mute" button :)

robert singleton - 7 years ago

great vid...thank you

Jim Kelly - 7 years ago

Thank you for your knowledge. Vero Beach loves you, man!

john prendergast - 7 years ago

Thanks excellent instruction.

Matt Thompson - 7 years ago

Thats a lot of passes, What do you charge per foot for a boat like that

aguyandhiscomputer - 7 years ago

Just saw the video description. 52' boat! $3500 is good price :)

aguyandhiscomputer - 7 years ago

First Mate Yacht Care
$3500? A lot of work but that's a crazy price. Good for you for getting it :)

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

On a project like that, we only provide a rough number, and focus on the hours, not $/ft. I think this boat was around $3,500 for the buff

Jiany Star Massa vich - 7 years ago

So your looking at a 4 step process here? 3 buffing and a wax

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Correct. Heavy ~~> Medium -> Fine--~~> Finish/protect/seal

Daniel Geniola - 7 years ago

have you ever killed a man, also great video! Greetings from sodas Bay, thanks for the great lesson. This will seriously come in handing come the new season.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Daniel, never killed a man, only KILLED OXIDIZED BOATS!!! YEAAAAAHHH

Paul Truong - 7 years ago

Thanks for sharing!

Michael Whitson - 7 years ago

I agree, a great video that was very informative. I have a 5" porter cable random orbit sander. It does not have variable speed. Is this okay to use to apply the final wax/polish?

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Yes, that will work fine for applying wax, but with no torque it will not be helpful removing oxidation.

TRY to HELP you - 8 years ago

Thanks for sharing!

** SCOOTER JONZE ** - 8 years ago

is the menzerna super finish 4000 for cars as well ? you cant find there marine stuff on any American web sites

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Yes. Menzerna is an EXCELLENT line. well suited for Auto as well, very greasy, long working time.

Andrew Fairchild - 8 years ago

Awesome tips! The gel coat on my 93 Centurion had been severely neglected before I bought it. Looks exactly like that. I have been scratching my head to find the products and techniques to repair it get that shine back. Look forward to doing it this spring. Thanks!

sharon lavergne - 8 years ago

Brad Ski - 8 years ago

can you post all the products u used and hardware>?

ricor43 - 8 years ago

My boat is also blue with some white fiberglass. About the same condition as this boat. We live in the Keys and use our boat almost daily. (2007 26' Striper cc)

Overall a good video, however I wasted 1/2 of my product starting at 1100 rpm's as advised. I did 2 full passes on my boat at 1100 rpms and it did very little. Once I increased it to 1600rpms it did a great job but still needed 2 full passes. To see if I was correct I started the white at 1600rpms and yep, two passes did it.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

What compound did you use?

Chris Patrick - 8 years ago

Nice!

toto wolf - 8 years ago

Negus it's one step marine polish followed by fleet was done

starwarsfanforlife - 8 years ago

Good job on the gelcoat...I don't envy your job. I know how much work it takes to get gelcoat back like that as i did that to one of the boats I owned that was almost as bad as that. I used a DA polisher with foam pads so it took me a little longer than using wool etc. I used 3D products HD Uno for the entire job just changing pads along the way.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

The RO DA polishers are great for applying wax, but you really need a rotary wheel with torque to 'cut' the severe oxidation. Make the tools work, not you!

Don Sandlin - 8 years ago

I've seen your video before. Watched it again. It's really excellent. Thanks for the information. Very well done. Thanks. Hope my job turns our half as good as yours.

Robert higgins - 8 years ago

thanks for all the great advice

Dan Bellyk - 8 years ago

THANKS, great video! what do you do when you have factory stickers?

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

We find that customers tend not to care about most factory stickers, other than manufacturer's logos. Raised, higher quality logos can usually withstand a buffing, but vinyl decals need to be removed, then replaced. You can usually order them from the manufacturer

Danknug - 8 years ago

I have never seen so much compound used to buff. not only is there being ten times more use than necessary you're ruining your wool pad at a rapid rate.

INSTA austin_01 silverado - 5 years ago

Y’all don’t have to be dicks about it to him about it jeez

Mauro K - 6 years ago

I agree

Damian Dokis - 6 years ago

Lets see your video then!

Strang3 6Liter - 6 years ago

You do realize how much gel coat is on a boat right? You could sit there for a day and wouldn’t burn through that gel coat with a wool pad

redski1960 - 6 years ago

I agree....
I will give a 2x2 area a squirt of compound and move it with the buffer until that area is and has been compounded, and if I have to maybe a little more?
Then I will spur my pad and remove it and move on to the next 2x2 area.
When I am finished with all my compounding I will use my orbital polisher to put the finishing touch.
Otherwise he did a nice job, just way too much compound.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

I appreciate your opinion, but this boat was severely neglected.

Paul Rhodes - 8 years ago

Great video! Thank you picked up a ton of great tip. -Paul

Steven Gentry - 8 years ago

Very nice job - I've watched this video several times, trying to document your technique. I've got a 2003 Sundancer 260. Got a Makita 7" rotary with a wool pad and set of CCC foam pads, and a Porter Cable 7424xp with an assortment of cutting/polishing/finishing pads. My boat is white, so its tougher to see when I've gotten through all the oxidation, but my question is this: how much compound do you use, how much pressure do you apply, and how do you know when you've worked through the compound and need to clean your pad/apply more compound?

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

I like to make sure there is enough compound on so the boat doesn't get 'hot', and it is lubricated. A very thin layer, there shouldn't be 'mountains' of compound. Medium to heavy pressure; BUT KEEP THE PAD FLAT!!!!!. When you cannot see the compound, or it dries to a haze, apply more.

Robert Butka - 8 years ago

Great video. I use Menzerna's on all my Mercedes and thought let see how well it works on our boat. It is unreal on the boat. I love the fs 400 for oxidation and 2500 for polishing. Then I use Rejex, especially on the rear port, starboard and stern. With diesels if you use wax, the diesel soot does not come off like it does with Rejex on it. I usually put 2 to 3 coats of Rejex, every 24hours for 3 days prior to launch. Gets me through the season.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Rejex is great too, but better for paint. Old gel like this sucks it in like a sponge, and cannot keep a perfect layer of protection.

Jason Edwards - 8 years ago

How long did it take you to the whole boat?

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

Crew of 3 about 1wk?

100. comment for How to Buff and Wax a Boat

Hannah Kirkham - 8 years ago

Thanks for the video; very useful and will save us a lot of time ....and money:)

Harrison Gilbert - 8 years ago

I am detailing a mastercraft x1 tomorrow (which is a detail that doesn't matter for this) and I am doing some preliminary research. Found your video and in 20 min learned what I expect will be at least 75% of what I need to know. The reason I am commenting is that you are absolutely hilarious. This video probably won't win an oscar, but somehow you made a 20 minute video about cleaning a boat pretty entertaining. Not everyone can do that. Thanks for the help and well done sir!

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+Harrison Gilbert Thanks for the kind words. We will hold out hope for an Oscan. #leohadtowait

wilson wilson - 8 years ago

Great video. You are a professional. I have been looking for something to remove the swirl marks from my black hull. Menzerna 4000 worked fantastic! Thank you for your video.

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+wilson wilson Glad it worked out for you!

Paul Laguardia - 8 years ago

What speed do you set the buffer for the various compound products. Mild, moderate, aggressive, etc.

First Mate Yacht Care - 7 years ago

STart slower with more aggressive compound, finish high with finer (helps burn off if too much oil, makes wiping up easier, and bakes in oil).

Gus Lopez - 8 years ago

How much do you normally charge for a 21' Boston Whaler Outrage?

Bravo4699 - 8 years ago

or contact me for 10 grand your boat will be beautiful...I'll take it through a car wash like 10 times

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+Gus Lopez It would depend on the condition of the boat. Shoot us an email at info@firstmateyachtcare.com with more details (when was it last buffed/waxed) and we can give you a better idea.

Bravo4699 - 8 years ago

+Gus Lopez I charge 10,000 dollars a boat...when can I start?

Roby Hutchinson - 8 years ago

Is there a big difference between using the Makita and the Dewalt? Could you not just get by with one of them or do they function that differently?

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+Roby Hutchinson The buffers used have different purposes. One is a RANDOM orbital buffer, the other is not. To reduce the chance of seeing swirl marks, you want to use the random orbital.

sleeper6t6 - 8 years ago

Thank you so very much for your wealth of information especially the products that you use and how they are used. My boat is not that oxidated but now I know how to execute in keeping my paint longer.

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+sleeper6t6 Glad to know you are taking care of your boat!

Aaron Schroeder - 8 years ago

Great video!!!
The pad numbers and times and details help alot

Chris Schultz - 8 years ago

really good vid. I'm in west palm where can I get the products? thanks

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+Chris Schultz http://www.reelshine.net/

Bill Wolfington - 9 years ago

Great video! Thanks for the tips! I am in Northern Michigan...where are you located or what area do you service? (Assuming you are still up here in late November..lol) I have a 370 Sea Ray, that looks good, but could look better with your help! Thanks, Bill

Robert Marks - 8 years ago

+First Mate Yacht Care o

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+Bill Wolfington Thanks for the positive comment! We are located in Petoskey and service Bay Harbor, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Cheboygan. We also do a bit of work in TC. Send us an email at info at FirstMateYachtCare.com if you are interested in us helping you out.

James Helmetag - 9 years ago

awesome video

Rob Carroll - 9 years ago

This is so great! thank you. You gave the secrets away!

Drayn509 - 9 years ago

Nice video. Learned a lot, thanks! Neglected my Sea Ray for the past couple years. Thankfully it's white gel coat so Oxidation didn't show too bad (at least to according to my wife) but it was driving me NUTS. With these tips I'm going to knock it out and get that thing back to a mirror finish!One question, to avoid having to cut the oxidation and really work to bring back the shine, how often should I wax the boat? Should I polish also with a light compound before waxing every time or would regular waxing stop me from having to do all the extra work? I live in a desert area of SE Washington State. High UV/Sun exposure.

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+Drayn509 As long as you stay on top of the waxing, you should be able to go 2 seasons without buffing. If you keep up on it, only a light buff will be required then.

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+Drayn509 We would recommend every 6-8 weeks depending on the weather. If you are on a regular wash schedule, you should be able to notice when the water stops beading up and the boat starts to dry before you can chamois it dry.

Gilbert Castillo - 9 years ago

I need your services. Ft Myers area. Do you service this area?

DanWhite1025 - 8 years ago

Have you had luck getting boats buffed in Fort Myers? I do it if you ever need something done.

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+Gilbert Castillo We primarily work on Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and northern Michigan.

david bullard - 9 years ago

Do you have any comments on a brand of wax called collanite?

Local boydidgood - 6 years ago

david bullard if it's natural, carnuba-based, its garbage way before a modern polymer-based product. Its amazing at a car show or 1957 but the moment dirt hits it... Fail.

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+david bullard You should always check Amazon, especially if you don't have a good marine store near you. They will sell Meguiars by the gallon and you can save a few bucks.

david bullard - 9 years ago

+First Mate Yacht Care Ok thanks a lot. I may try the flagship brand. Collinite is a bit exspencive.

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+david bullard Collinite waxes are good (we use a fair amount of their metal wax/polish). We find it to be a bit "greasier" than the Meguiars Flagship.

david bullard - 9 years ago

Great video, thanks for posting it. I've been buffing for a while but have been unable to finish the job without leaving swirl marks behind especially on dark colors. Your video has really helped. Keep on sharing the knowledge.

First Mate Yacht Care - 8 years ago

+david bullard Thanks!

Shawn P - 9 years ago

Good vid, thanks

gmtony55 - 9 years ago

I have a question on pricing. I am in Louisiana and I recarpet boats,mostly bass boats and I sometimes buff and wax boats for customers who ask me too. Do yall charge by length of boat or by square footage? I am sure level of oxidation plays a part also.

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+gmtony55 We charge by the hour, plus cost of materials. For boats of common lengths/widths, we do charge by the foot as we can predict the amount of time it will take (we have lots and lots of data from past jobs). The level of oxidation certainly plays a part!

Adam Paolella - 9 years ago

How can I learn how to do this and possibly get a job here? I've waxed and detailed high end cars for over 6 years…. my family has a condo in Florida and it has always been a dream of mine to work and live in florida. im 21 from michigan. if i'm just dreaming, ignore this, otherwise reply back dude! this looks like very pleasurable rewarding work

phi376 - 6 years ago

Curious, did you get the job?

Adam Paolella - 9 years ago

+First Mate Yacht Care will do!

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+Adam Paolella Check out our website, FirstMateYachtCare.com, and call or email us. We do a lot of work in Michigan as well.

luvagoodcigar - 9 years ago

Thanks for the video. Do you have a list of the products used in the video and where I can get them?

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+luvagoodcigar You can find the Reel Shine products here: http://www.reelshine.net/. As for the rest, use the part #'s Trevor references and find the best price.

ethan'stank - 9 years ago

Just curiuos, but why do you have a Dewalter buffer for compound and a Makita Buffer for wax. Aren't they both relatively the same thing just different company

First Mate Yacht Care - 9 years ago

+ethan'stank The Dewalt buffer used here is a rotary machine, the Makita is a random orbital. They are NOT relatively the same thing. The random orbital makes it virtually impossible to leave swirl marks, the same can not be said of the rotary buffer (the Dewalt).

About How to Buff and Wax a Boat

The "How to Buff and Wax a Boat" video is part of the boating, sailing tipps category, which contains similar videos like this one.