Marine Gel Coat Boat Wax Sealant - In-depth Review

Selecting the best marine wax or sealant for your boat is not an easy task with all the options available, and that's once you figure out and understand the terminology used in the marine polishing industry. Do you need a marine wax, polish, sealer, cleaner, or a combination? What about compounds, or all in one systems? Can I use my car wax on my boat? Perhaps my boat wax on my car? Is there really a difference in wax and sealants designed for an automobile vs a boat or watercraft? That's a lot of need to know information before you invest your hard earned money and sweat equity into keeping your boat protected from the harsh marine environment. Keeping your investment protected is one aspect that we all have in common, and certainly on most of our "To Do" lists in the spring, summer, and fall. Our goal here is to do the leg work for you, as we'd like to know as well. Our chosen brands are:

Gel Coat Labs
$24.95 / 16 oz.
Marine Gel Coat Surface Sealant.

Under Review
Super-charged with Polycharger
Polymer based surface sealant
UV inducing slow fade
Painted and non-painted gel coats
Stainless steel and aluminum surfaces
Can be applied in direct sunlight

Ingredients: Petroleum Based

Water - Polydimethylsiloxane 1-3%

Methyl Alcohol<1%

Decamethyl Cyclopentasiloxane<1% - Aminosiloxane 1-3%

Acrylic Polymer<5% - Benzyl Salicylate<1%

Synthetic Isoparaffinic Hydrocarbon 10-17%

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Collinite Fleetwax 885
$18.95 / 16 oz.
Marine Fiberglass Wax.

Under Review
featured ingredient
? based wax
UV and Marine Growth inhabiting
Gel coat, fiberglass, clear coat
Painted plastic / painted/unpainted metals
Applied in direct sunlight?
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N/A
$0.00 / 16 oz.
N/A

Under Review
Spec 1
Spec 2
Spec 3
Spec 4
Spec 5
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We are putting two vastly different marine gel coat products to the test, and documenting our finding along the way. The first stage of the test will take place over 6 months, or longer if needed. We are placing brand A on one side of the boat, and brand B on the other side, both hull and topside. Stage two will be to flip flop the brands for another 6 months and record our findings. This allows both brands an even playing field being subject to the elemental angles. The third phase will be brand specific, decided from the brand we felt had the best results over the side by side testing on each side. We will apply that brand to the entire boat and see how it holds up. Additionally, we will applying product to plexiglass and glass sheets and allowing them to sit in direct sun so we can measure the UV penetration levels.

Testing Timeline Details as they unfold!

Application and methods

Washed and buffed the entire boat for a clean start. Applied Gel Coat Labs to the port side to center. Port side faces southeast and catches full sun all day. Applied Collinite Paste to the starboard side to center. Starboard side remains shaded in the summer.

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