Boat wax revisited- again

[EvenKeel]

I was checking out various websites and these forums for recommendations on waxes. There were several references to Heller-Glanz and the site http://www.boatersreport.com/ which seems to represent itself as a generator of unbiased test reports.As I browsed each of the catagories on this site, such as wax, cleaner-wax, black streak remover, etc, I noticed that a Heller-Glanz product was rated far-and-away higher than any other product in every catagory. I find this hard to believe. There is very little explanatory information on this site and no "About Us" page. It is getting quite common for companies (particularly software producers) to develop there own websites that rank their own product highest, and try to pass them off as "third party" tests. The boatersreport site looks suspiciously like one of these.Am I wrong about this? How many of you have used Heller-Glanz wax and would rate it higher than anything else they've used? I'd use it if the claims are true.Even Keel II

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

this stuff is perfect

Just checked under each tab in the link to see how this source rated all the various products, not just the wax.Amazing - this company makes the best everything!I'm going to trash every product I ever used and immediatley buy these.

 

[Maine Sail]

For Maryland..

For MD a carnuba based paste wax would be a great option. Collinite Fleet Paste Wax #885 has been my go to product for years and I've used just about everything out ther but keep coming back to #885. If you have an Alwgrip finish use what Akzo recommends AwlCare!!Collinite Fleet Paste Wax #885http://www.collinitemarine.com/products.htm#885P.S. never heard of Heller-Glanz? must be one of those internet re-packagers...

 

[Don]

A bit skeptical

After reviewing the website it appears they are top rated in every product - seems a little suspicious. Can anyone provide any further information on the products - has anyone used them?It just sounds to good to be true.

 

[EvenKeel]

Kind of a clincher there, Tim

What are the odds that Heller-Glanz and the product testing site just happened to have the same IP address? Pretty dang small.Thanks for the research, Tim.

 

[Canvasback]

I'm hearing good things about....

I'm hearing good things about Poliglow as an alternative to waxing and provides a really nice shine. Would be interested in hearing what others who have used it have to say.

 

[EvenKeel]

Re: Poliglow

You should run an archive search on Poliglow as I did. To me, it sounds like the initial results are nice, especially if your finish is worn and dull. But, if I'm not mistaken, it takes a time-consuming prep step followed by 5 coats! Then, when the next spring rolls around, you have to remove the old coating first (which some users have claimed to be a bitch of a job), then apply another 5 coats! Yikes!

 

[Brian D]

Both sites are registered to...

Go Daddy. And both sites are registered to the same person. Both sites use the same Domain servers. This does not mean that both sites are one and the same.Go to the link and type in the name of the website you're interested in.

 

[Chris Burti]

Maine Sail

When I was in the boat manufacturing industry, we used epoxy and aluminum aggregate to build certain of our production molds in the early years (spray releases soon outmoded hand waxing except for small one-off projects). Meguires Mold Release wax was very effective for us as a release agent because its high carnuba content made it more heat resistant. I got in the habit of using Meguires mold release wax for my boats, because we scrapped the cans as they got near the bottom and so they were free. Buffing was a major effort, but the stuff really lasts. I still love the stuff, but no longer have the time or energy to use it much.Source:http://www.tcpglobal.com/DetailSupplyDepot/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=MIR+M0811

 

[Maine Sail]

Even Keel

Even keel,You don't give us much information about what specifically you are trying to achieve. Things like what your current finish is, gelcoat, one-part paint or an LPU like Awlgrip or Imron are needed & helpful info when asking about a wax. If your boat is gelcoat, what is the current condition, and what are you trying to achieve? Do you want a bristol looking gorgeous boat or do you want a shine to "get your through"? Do you want to re-condition what is there? Is it oxidized, chalky or porous?As always the more info the better we can help.Updating your profile to include your boat's make, model, length and home sailing waters also helps. There are many, many times when someone will ask "what size anchor should I buy?".... Duh, I don't know! What size boat do you have and where do you sail? What's the bottom type etc. etc..Updating your profile and being more specific helps greatly!

 

[Dan]

Practical Sailor

Practical Sailor (whom everyone would agree is nonpartisan) named Collinite Fleet Wax as the most superior boat wax. If you click on the various product comparisons, it's quite odd that Heller Glanz seems to be rated tops across all product lines.I, for one, don't trust this website.

 

[Deadline]

Testimonial

Everything is wonderful!Is a miracle treatment!Do not dispute me!/s/ Franz Heller-Glanz

 

[Canukwi]

Still backing Poli Glo

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I like Poli Glo. True, the first time round using Poli Prep to brighten up the surface can be fairly hard work if your boat surface is badly oxidised. If it's not, the job is dead easy. The good book says five initial coats but I never went beyond three myself. Now I put two coats on as I lay the boat up for the winter and another two coats as I get ready in the Spring. It takes barely thirty minutes to put a coat on my 30' Catalina,you just wipe it on, no polishing needed. Even in the middle of the winter, on the hard, the boat shines like new. So long as you keep up with recoating you shouldn't oxidise the finish and so shouldn't need to Poli Prep again in a long time. A good wash down with a soft soap followed by a thorough rinse is all I ever do prior to recoating with Poli Glo. One bottle lasts me at least a couple of years, maybe a bit more.

 

[Maine Sail]

That site is SOOO Bogus..

Wow I actually had a chance to take a look at that site! What a joke!! First of all any top quality Carnuba wax does NOT come in a bottle. Real top quality Carnuba waxes are in paste form not a liquid! They also list every other wax as containing silicone..?? Hmmm some of those listed do not specify silicone in the ingredients??P.S. How do you rate the all metal can of #885 as poor? I've never had one split when I dropped it? Hanz & Franze are scam artists who are most likely re-packaging and marketing someone else's formulation as it's done all the time!!

 

[Phil Herring]

Wow

I usually take the side of the poor, unjustly criticized marine company... but that site is _really_ sleazy! You'd think they'd at least put the domain names under different ownership!

 

[elle]

PoliGlow Rocks

I do not work for Poli Glow nor have I any connection with the company, other than they make the best & easiest product to make your hull GLOW. I'd used it for 5 0r so years on an H-30 and a 33.5.It is NOT hard to apply PoliGlow.....It is just like waxing a floor...& if you miss a spot, you'll get it on the next time around...Putting 5 coats on a 30' boat takes about 30-45 minutes.....You just spray on the PoliPrep first & just wipe it down, then rinse. This washed the hull & removes any old stuff that's on there. If you have any doubt about the Prep's ability to remove what's on there, call & ask.When dry, in a few minutes, start applying the product...better have someone there keep track of where you are, , 'cause after the third coat, you won't be able to see where the next stroke goes.At the end of the season, just wash the hull & apply another coat for the winter. Same thing in spring. The stuff is fabulous.Get it at the boat show...better pricing.I have some pix...if I can find 'em in the next few days, I'll post them.

 

[jimq26]

EvenKeel - you're negative about a great product.

You obviously read only those posts in the archives where the boat owner did not follow the simple application instructions.PoliGlow works and lasts. You don't strip it after one season. Ye Gads - what will the next stupid rumour be?Read the link - it's the truth!!!

 

[EvenKeel]

More details

Jimq26, I'm not really negative or positive on PoliGlow, but just parroting what I've read, which was both positive and negative. As Maine Sail commented, I neglected to give many details about my boat that might explain why I don't think it's the right product for me. The boat is a 2005 Catalina 350 with a pristine hull-- glossy with no oxidation at all. I just want a wax coating that will make it through a season and slow down degradation of the surface so I can minimize the use of abrasive cleaners in the future.What I'm gathering from this discussion and others that I've read is that I couldn't go wrong with Fleetwax #885. Is there any reason to think that Liquid Fleetwax #870 wouldn't work about as well? I live in a landlocked state and was about to make an order with Defender. They don't seem to carry the #885.Even Keel II

 

[jimq26]

More details help for sure.

I use PoliGlow on a 1973 boat and have fantastic results with minimum of effort. I would not consider using it on new Catalina like yours. MaineSail recommendsthe best method for newer vessels.

 

[Maine Sail]

Joe..

I'm glad I could help! This year won't be nearly as hard I promise! You've done most of the heavy lifting now you just need to keep up...Mop-N-Glow;D Now that's funny or was he really applying mop-n-glow??