This page contains affiliate links. This means that we may get a small commission for recommending products, if you choose to click on something and buy it. This does not cost you anything, but we wanted to be honest and let you know!
(Last Updated On: )Using a quality boat wax to restore shine and increase the protection of your boat is highly recommended.
Without a protective layer of marine wax, fiberglass boats can suffer damaging oxidization, which will result in a dull appearance.
The best boat wax is the Meguiar’s M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax that provides long-lasting polymer protection against UV damage and wears.
Application of boat wax can be achieved by hand or by using a boat buffer with the latter being the best option.
We recommend avoiding automotive waxes as they do not provide the qualities of marine wax, which can withstand harsher environments.
Table of Contents
Best Marine Wax
Boat Wax | Preview | Size |
Meguiar’s M6332 | 11 – 32 Oz | |
3M Perfect-It Boat Wax | 32 Oz | |
Collinite 925 | 16 Oz | |
Boat Bling QS | 32 – 128 Oz | |
Mothers 91556 | 16 Oz |
A boat wax needs to be more focused on the marine environment compared to the automotive alternative.
This also includes additional UV protection and features that are dedicated to fiberglass and gel coat surfaces found on most boats.
Restoring your boat appearance with a boat wax that will enrich the color and shine is highly recommended.
However, most waxes provide a long-lasting protection layer that maintains the appearance.
Hopefully, you will understand the benefits of waxing your boat but finding the best within a saturated market can be difficult.
Below is a list of the best boat wax that protects and restores shine for gel coat and fiberglass boats.
Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine Wax
Meguiar’s is one of the most popular detailing brands in the world and they cover both the marine and automotive industries.
This M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax is designed for fiberglass and gel coat surfaces with the main goal being to provide long-lasting polymer protection and deep gloss.
Features of the Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine Wax include:
- Removes light oxidation and fine scratches
- Can be applied by hand or buffer machine
- Enriches both color and shine
- The formula contains very fine abrasives
- Excellent protection against UV damage
- Can also be used on RVs
Overall, it is the best boat wax for the money and will instantly provide results when applied thoroughly.
Unlike the alternatives, this is a cleaner marine wax that can also be used to remove minor defects at the same time, which is highly beneficial.
3M Perfect-It Boat Wax (36113)
The 3M Perfect-It Boat Wax (36113) has been designed to provide your boat with a high gloss, wet-look with exceptional durability.
It is an easy on and easies off formula that will provide long-lasting UV protection thanks to the 3M polymer technology.
Features of the 3M Perfect-It Boat Wax (36113) include:
- Pure carnauba wax formula
- Protects gelcoat, paint, fiberglass, and metals
- Being a liquid wax formula it is easy to apply.
This is an excellent final step for any process where wax finish is recommended.
Many people prefer a paste as opposed to a synthetic formula but this is primarily based upon your personal preference.
Collinite Fiberglass Boat Cleaner & Boat Wax
The Collinite Cleaner and Boat Wax combo package is aimed at those on a budget and can be used for marine, RV and aeronautical use.
It does exactly what is says on the bottle and that is a Fiberglass Boat Wax and Fiberglass Boat Cleaner.
Features of the Collinite Combo Pack include:
- Suitable for fiberglass boats
- Cleaner restores the fiberglass finish
- Wax enhances the look and provides protection
- Made in the USA
- Application via buffer machine for best results
When it comes to the complete process of detailing your boat, it’s important that the surface is completely clean before applying the wax.
Therefore, for a low cost, you get both a cleaner and wax for fiberglass boats, which is great value for money and ensures you get the perfect result.
Boat Bling Quickie Sauce Spray Wax
Not everyone has the time to pull their boat out of the sea and spend hours detailing.
However, the Quick Sauce detailing product by Boat Bling is a fast and effective wax that provides the protection of wax in half the time.
Features of the Boat Bling Quickie Spray Wax include:
- Pure polymer and silicone formula
- Same protection as regular marine wax
- Dries to a haze for easy residue removal
- Application by hand
- Safe on fiberglass, painted surface, and vinyl decals
Overall, the Boat Bling Quickie Sauce is the best spray wax for boats and ideal for those that want to quickly wax their boat.
However, it may not be as durable or long-lasting compared to the alternatives within this article.
Mothers Marine Synthetic Boat Wax
Mothers is a popular detailing in the automotive detailing world and this synthetic boat wax is the cheapest within this article.
The formula is very similar to the Meguiar’s alternative as its a polymer wax that also helps remove light oxidation.
Features of the Mothers Marine Wax for boats include:
- Custom formula suitable for gel-coat boats
- Long-lasting protective barrier
- Leave a deep gloss shine
- Application by hand or machine
If its a cheap boat wax that provides long-lasting protection that you are trying to find, the Mothers Marine Synthetic wax is the answer.
The synthetic formula holds up well against the harsh saltwater environment for a long-lasting shine.
Boat Wax Buying Guide
A boat requires good maintenance so that it can serve you for a long time and maintain its appearance.
Therefore, waxing is a step that you cannot avoid. Despite the fact that the boat is always on the water, it is also subjected to UV radiation.
Applying a layer of the wax reduces the chances of damages. Make sure to use the compound wax or boat polish that has UV protection.
Additionally, it also gives your boat a shiny and pretty look for years to come and reduces the friction between the water and boat, giving you a smooth movement in the water.
Before waxing your boat you should thoroughly clean and remove the debris that could have piled up during boating in the sea.
Below are a few steps to guide you on cleaning the boat before waxing:
- Make sure the boat is out of the water and parked on a flat area.
- Spray the boat (top to bottom) so that you can remove debris.
- Wipe down using a material that will not damage your fiberglass.
- Use a soft scrub and a boat brush so that you can clean quickly.
- Completely clean every inch of the boat and dry before applying wax.
Once the boat is completely free of any debris, you have the choice to polish your boat prior to waxing.
If you notice any marks on the boat, applying a boat polish to the work area will remove the defect.
We highly recommend you purchase a boat buffer to apply the wax (and polish) in order to make your job much easier.
Fiberglass Boat Wax
For those that have a fiberglass boat with a gel coat, its vital that you provide adequate protection.
The gel coat looks great from new and provides great shine but it can suffer badly from UV damage, which will result in a chalky look and feel.
The problem is that over time as the sun damages your boat and the wetness can erode.
Nevertheless, if the boat changes in appearance you can bring the initial condition by using a marine polish with a high number of abrasive in the formula.
Automotive vs Marine Wax
The marine wax is specifically designed for the gel coat and the linear polyurethane surfaces.
These surfaces are chemically different from automotive paints.
Polyurethane coatings and modern gel coatings are hard and more water-resistant compared to automotive paints.
Their special chemical compositions require specific ingredients, which are for marine use only.
The automotive products cannot achieve the same results on the boats and the protection levels will be far less.
Tips For Marine Waxing
Once you have fully cleaned all the debris from your boat and used a boat cleaner, it will be ready for marine waxing.
You have the choice to apply the wax via hand but we highly recommend using a buffer.
You will be able to effortlessly apply the wax faster and spread it more evenly too.
Once you are set up ready, you will want to target a certain area of the boat to tackle first.
A common mistake that many make is putting far too much wax on the buffer and spreading it all over the boat.
This is bad practice and you will want to tackle small areas in order to get the most out of the solution.
If possible, bringing the boat into a shaded area can really help you work the solution.
If you are in direct sunlight, it can have the effect of hardening the product onto the boat, which makes removing the residue that much harder.
Conclusion
Finding the best marine wax can be a confusing and challenging activity. There are many industries and possible options that you can choose.
The challenge is there are very few boats, which exist and can be waxed or washed according to their nature.
Generally, it is very difficult to find a boat made from gel coat materials or fiberglass with no signs of oxidation. However, some of the best boat wax include elements that create a protective layer for your boat’s surface. Used regularly these products will extend your boat’s surface shine and protection.