3M Restorer and Wax OMG!!!

[HukilauMike]

For the past two or three years, I've prepped my hull pre-launch by stripping the old wax off with formula 202 solvent, then applying one or two coats of high quality wax (Meguir's or Mother's). But the hull has been looking more and more chalky, and the navy blue accent stripes have been looking very drab.
So when I couldn't find my stash of wax and had to go buy more, I was open to the idea of trying something different. I had used a one-step compound/wax product in the past (the West Marine One Step, which had a good write-up in Practical Sailor), but had gotten away from that; I was finding that it didn't do a great job compounding or waxing. For a time, I was compounding then waxing, but finding the time to do both was getting taxing (forgive me Maine Sail!).
Anyway, I was able to see that the 3M Restorer for heavily oxidized hulls seemed sufficiently different from the West Marine One Step to give it a try. OMG, I am so glad I did. I followed the directions on the bottle (maybe a first for me), using a lambs wool applicator, and removing the product before it dried to a haze with a microfiber cloth; I simply couldn't believe the effectiveness of this product. The chalky buildup was removed - completely. And the blue accent stripes were transformed. Really incredible. I was taken aback a bit by how much "blue" in the stripes was being removed by the compounding, but the results are undeniable. The attached photo doesn't really do it justice, but I couldn't be happier. If I can find time, I plan to apply another coat of wax, but it really doesn't look necessary. I will also be applying the product to the cockpit and parts of the cabin roof to remove the chalkiness there too. My wife is delighted that she won't have to wash the chalk from the backs of her calves anymore after sitting in the cockpit.
Two big thumbs up for 3M for this product.

 

[BigEasy]

Mike,
I used 3M restorer on my previous boat, an '88 Hunter 33.5 . I bought it when it was 9 years old and kept it for about 7 years, to give some perspective about the age of the gelcoat. Usually hauled it every other year and used the restorer product & a coat of Collinite paste wax. For a one step product it worked well. On the present boat I am using Mainsails alternative #2 with 3M super duty compound, 3M finessit, Maguiars #9, & 2 coats of Collinite. A lot of work,but it really shines. Problem down south is that on a 2 to 3 year haulout schedule, the condition of the gelcoat really deteriorates too much. Haven't been too crazy about applying wax in a dinghy and don't want to incur the cost of an annual haulout just to wax. If I was on a floating dock, annual waxing would be doable.

 

[HukilauMike]

I bought my boat when my kids were little; back then, I had a lot of trouble finding the time after work or on weekends to prep the boat for spring launch (up here in CT, the boat is in the water from late May (usually) to early or mid October). I used to think "when they're older, I'll have more time...". Well, they got older and my evenings and weekends became filled with school events, youth sports activities and other family stuff. I would think "when they're teenagers and spend their free time with their friends, I'll have more time...". So of course, they did spend time with their friends, but they still had sporting events, driving classes, college prep and application work, and millions of other things. And I wound up with more work stuff too. Now that they are out of the house on their own or in college, I can't believe it, but I still don't have a lot more time.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that I still don't have the time (or the patience frankly) to wet sand, compound, polish then wax my boat. I'm always on the lookout for short cuts, and this 3M product is the best I've come across so far. Maybe I'll apply another full coat of wax before launching, but I doubt I'll find the time. Maybe it's a good thing that I don't have to worry about a wax job lasting more than five months....

 

[seadaddler]

My back and legs need the easy quick way of waxing and the restore 3M cleaner wax works for me and some times I get to add a second coat of just wax,thank goodness for this product and haul every 3 years for bottom paint and wax and do wax second and third year in water.
Nick

 

[mlpayne]

My Spring ritual is one round of 3M cleaner wax (low speed buffer applied, hand wiped off, high speed buffer polished with terry compounding pad) followed by a coat of Collinite Wax applied by hand, wiped off and high speed polished with lamb wool polishing pad. Works great. Thumbs up on the 3M product.