My boat will be stored inside this winter and I'm thinking of waxing it before it goes into storage. Is there any reason to wait until spring? Does wax breakdown over time, or is it the elements that cause it to wear off? Thanks for your help.
Winter waxing
- Thread starter Tom11739
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If you store it inside
why wax it. It will just get dirty again before you lunch it. You don't need wax to protect the hull from the rain and sun. I woul wait for spring then clean and wax her good.
why wax it. It will just get dirty again before you lunch it. You don't need wax to protect the hull from the rain and sun. I woul wait for spring then clean and wax her good.
Wax on - Wax off
Tom, The weather is what causes the wax to wear off, just like when you wax your car. A good wax job lasts just so long. In my opinion, it sounds like you probably take really good care of your boat, and you already know the answer to your own question. I would completely clean the boat inside and out to include waxing the hull and areas on the topside (with the execption of non skid areas). Then, in the spring all you will need to do is dust her off and go sailing or perhaps, put another coat of wax/polish on her for good measure. Nothing like a clean, sleek hull.
Tom, The weather is what causes the wax to wear off, just like when you wax your car. A good wax job lasts just so long. In my opinion, it sounds like you probably take really good care of your boat, and you already know the answer to your own question. I would completely clean the boat inside and out to include waxing the hull and areas on the topside (with the execption of non skid areas). Then, in the spring all you will need to do is dust her off and go sailing or perhaps, put another coat of wax/polish on her for good measure. Nothing like a clean, sleek hull.
UV radiation is slightly stronger in winter ....
because the earth is slightly closer to the sun. Gelcoat is porous. The wax fills the surface 'pores' and prevents/retards oxidation of the gelcoat. Old wax will eventually become oxidized and should periodically be stripped with a caustic detergent, etc. and new wax applied to refill/reseal the surface pores. If the boat is stored inside then it wont be exposed to the stronger UV that occurs in winter that would accelerate oxidation of the wax and the gelcoat.
because the earth is slightly closer to the sun. Gelcoat is porous. The wax fills the surface 'pores' and prevents/retards oxidation of the gelcoat. Old wax will eventually become oxidized and should periodically be stripped with a caustic detergent, etc. and new wax applied to refill/reseal the surface pores. If the boat is stored inside then it wont be exposed to the stronger UV that occurs in winter that would accelerate oxidation of the wax and the gelcoat.
Wax Her
Its always a good time to wax your vessel. You will never be sorry your Boat looks like new.
Its always a good time to wax your vessel. You will never be sorry your Boat looks like new.
UV radiation degrades all wax products.
Your boat wax applied in the spring on your topsides and cabin/cockpit will only last a maximum of a month when exposed to the sun. From past experience - try this product. It works as advertized without buffing etc.
Your boat wax applied in the spring on your topsides and cabin/cockpit will only last a maximum of a month when exposed to the sun. From past experience - try this product. It works as advertized without buffing etc.
re: UV radiation is slightly stronger in winter
Bullshit. Ever checked out the UV index in the winter? It's ranges from 2-6 here in Houston on a sunny day and much less up north. In the summer it has an index of 11 on a sunny day by 10 am. Why...because of the earth's tilt. The earth tilts away from the sun during the winter...that's why it's winter.
Bullshit. Ever checked out the UV index in the winter? It's ranges from 2-6 here in Houston on a sunny day and much less up north. In the summer it has an index of 11 on a sunny day by 10 am. Why...because of the earth's tilt. The earth tilts away from the sun during the winter...that's why it's winter.
Franklin ...
you must be a product of the US public school system. UV radiation is stronger in winter because at the current time the earth's elliptical orbit around the sun is closer to the sun in winter. And this has nothing to due with the equinoctal tilt of the planet. To help aid in your comprehension efficiency go back and read (or have some read FOR you): "If the boat is stored inside then it wont be exposed to the stronger UV that occurs in winter that would accelerate oxidation of the wax and the gelcoat". Get a grip on yourself, we already know that you're an ass.
you must be a product of the US public school system. UV radiation is stronger in winter because at the current time the earth's elliptical orbit around the sun is closer to the sun in winter. And this has nothing to due with the equinoctal tilt of the planet. To help aid in your comprehension efficiency go back and read (or have some read FOR you): "If the boat is stored inside then it wont be exposed to the stronger UV that occurs in winter that would accelerate oxidation of the wax and the gelcoat". Get a grip on yourself, we already know that you're an ass.
RichH
So you know more then the weather men on UV huh (they set the UV index). That's good to know. Now let me tell you how it really works. The earth is tilted. In the winter, not only is the other half of the earth closer to the sun, the tilted side doesn't get the full rays. Why, because the rays bounce off the atmosphere due to the angle. On the half of the earth that is tilted toward the sun, the rays hit the atmosphere dead on so there is no bounce. If you don't believe me, try getting a tan in the winter time.
So you know more then the weather men on UV huh (they set the UV index). That's good to know. Now let me tell you how it really works. The earth is tilted. In the winter, not only is the other half of the earth closer to the sun, the tilted side doesn't get the full rays. Why, because the rays bounce off the atmosphere due to the angle. On the half of the earth that is tilted toward the sun, the rays hit the atmosphere dead on so there is no bounce. If you don't believe me, try getting a tan in the winter time.
RichH
then you must be a product the 'AOL' chat rooms insulting Frankin as you have. I take it you know him personally then.
then you must be a product the 'AOL' chat rooms insulting Frankin as you have. I take it you know him personally then.
Franklin
Actually I get my best tan skiing "A" basin at 40^ below, or might that be wind burn. I know of a plastic palm tree stuck in the snow midway, anyone ever seen it?
Actually I get my best tan skiing "A" basin at 40^ below, or might that be wind burn. I know of a plastic palm tree stuck in the snow midway, anyone ever seen it?
Franklin ...
If you had any idea about what you were talking about you'd be dangerous. 1. Wintertime in 'Texas' and its UV exposure is more dependent on atmospheric absorbtion of UV rays on atmospheric water vapor and high altitude humidity. Take a look sometime, its more cloudy in wintertime than summertime because the ambient temperature depresses the dewpoint, etc. and there is more cloud formation as a result. UV gets blocked by clouds. 2. Your simple-minded analogy only applies to surfaces parallel to the surface of the earth. If your boat was laying on its side Id agree with you. However sane people usually store their boats upright hence the deck gets more UV in summer but the sides (topsides) get more UV exposure in winter (trigonometric projection). If you had any idea or knowledge of trigonometry you'd realize this. 3. The Bullshit is entirely YOURS. You might try thinking (its possible, you know) before continually demonstrating to the world that you're an ass.
If you had any idea about what you were talking about you'd be dangerous. 1. Wintertime in 'Texas' and its UV exposure is more dependent on atmospheric absorbtion of UV rays on atmospheric water vapor and high altitude humidity. Take a look sometime, its more cloudy in wintertime than summertime because the ambient temperature depresses the dewpoint, etc. and there is more cloud formation as a result. UV gets blocked by clouds. 2. Your simple-minded analogy only applies to surfaces parallel to the surface of the earth. If your boat was laying on its side Id agree with you. However sane people usually store their boats upright hence the deck gets more UV in summer but the sides (topsides) get more UV exposure in winter (trigonometric projection). If you had any idea or knowledge of trigonometry you'd realize this. 3. The Bullshit is entirely YOURS. You might try thinking (its possible, you know) before continually demonstrating to the world that you're an ass.
Unbelievable ...........................
............ how such a simple topic can become so convoluted. Check the link to see how the UV index varies from summer to winter. Shallower angle of incidence (winter) also means thicker atmosphere to penetrate. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
............ how such a simple topic can become so convoluted. Check the link to see how the UV index varies from summer to winter. Shallower angle of incidence (winter) also means thicker atmosphere to penetrate. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
To answer the question, Yes Tom, wax the boat.
the coat will serve to protect your boat, regardless of it being inside or outside. FYI - On a boat that doesn't have bottom paint, never wax where the bottom paint might go or the bottom paint will never bind to the boat, ever!
the coat will serve to protect your boat, regardless of it being inside or outside. FYI - On a boat that doesn't have bottom paint, never wax where the bottom paint might go or the bottom paint will never bind to the boat, ever!
UV radiation HIGHEST during SUMMER ....
Took me all of about two seconds to find this on the Internet: Directly from the EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvradiation.html, about half-way down the web page: "Time of Year The sun's angle varies with the seasons, causing the intensity of UV rays to change. UV intensity tends to be highest during the summer months." The EPA is generally considered to be a fairly respected source of technical information. Bottom line, on average, for most areas, UV is strongest in the summer. There will be, no doubt, some sites where certain conditions, like haze, humidity, etc. that might have more blocking in the summer than in the winter when it's humidity is lowest and would thefore could have more UV in the winter, I suppose. Chuck: Hey! Great web site link! I really liked that.
Took me all of about two seconds to find this on the Internet: Directly from the EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvradiation.html, about half-way down the web page: "Time of Year The sun's angle varies with the seasons, causing the intensity of UV rays to change. UV intensity tends to be highest during the summer months." The EPA is generally considered to be a fairly respected source of technical information. Bottom line, on average, for most areas, UV is strongest in the summer. There will be, no doubt, some sites where certain conditions, like haze, humidity, etc. that might have more blocking in the summer than in the winter when it's humidity is lowest and would thefore could have more UV in the winter, I suppose. Chuck: Hey! Great web site link! I really liked that.
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