Car Wax on Gelcoat

[seanjf]

Is there a major difference between wax for cars and wax for fibreglass gelcoat?
I have an old dinghy with dried faded gelcoat. There are many meguiars car wax products in the local shop but nothing specifically for Gelcoat restoration. I know there is a Meguiars gelcoat wax product but is there anything wrong with using car wax on gelcoat?

[Jonesey]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

I'm sure someone else nkows more about the differences in the auto and marine line, but I have used both on fiberglass, and the auto stuff does work. I used the medium cut cleaner on my Laser and it worked quite well, and I've always waxed it with # 26. While the marine line is probably better suited to gelcoat, I don't think the auto stuff will do any damage (It hasn't in my experience)

Glenn

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

seanjf, you can use Meguiar's products that are designed for clear coat on a gel coat surface. The main disadvantage to using a wax formulated for a clear coat on a gel coat is that the protection may not last as long as you want it to. This is because your average gel coat (18 - 24 mils thick) is considerably thicker and harder than your average clear coat (1.5 - 2.0 mils thick). I Hope that is helpful in answering your question. Let us know if we can be of further assistance, and thanks for being part of the forum.

[STG]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

.... The main disadvantage to using a wax formulated for a clear coat on a gel coat is that the protection may not last as long as you want it to. This is because your average gel coat (18 - 24 mils thick) is considerably thicker and harder than your average clear coat (1.5 - 2.0 mils thick).

Huh?

I'm completely confused.

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

Sorry for the confusion. As a general rule you want to use products that are formulated for the specific surface that you are working with in order to make the best use of you effort, and maximize your results. A wax that is made to protect a clear coat may not last quite as long if applied to a gel coat surface. I hope that helps clarify what I was attempting to convey...

[STG]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

So, it has nothing do do with the thickness of the gelcoat vs. paint, right?

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

You are right, the thickness isn't really a factor with wax. Thickness is more the issue when working with cleaners...

[seanjf]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

Thanks for the detailed info guys

[Elmer]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

Cleaning will definitely work better with the Marine line. Gelcoat is tough stuff to work with......

[Civic Man]

Re: Car Wax on Gelcoat

Sorry for the confusion. As a general rule you want to use products that are formulated for the specific surface that you are working with in order to make the best use of you effort, and maximize your results. A wax that is made to protect a clear coat may not last quite as long if applied to a gel coat surface. I hope that helps clarify what I was attempting to convey...

Hi Rick, can marine products eg #56 or #63 use on clear coat? Will it last longer?