do we need to wax our fiberglass boat, and how many times a season?
485066
yep; wax will help protect the gel coat ( the outer , colored layer of the fiberglass layup)....first you get an electric polisher ( looks like a drill or grinder with a big wool pad on it) and go over the boat with rubbing/cleaning compound; this gets the dirt, salt and oxidizing layer off the glass, makes it look clean and somewhat shinny, and then wax...down here in the Caribbean with hard usage of boats 24/7/365, waxing lasts about a year...be very careful about doing decks...you will slip fall go overboard hurt yourself!!!
467613
Are you talking about the entire board?\n\nIf that's what you mean, I've never heard of anyone doing that. Nor can I imagine in what situation that would be worth the effort.\n\nFew thoughts:\n\n1. If it's a vintage board that you want to restore to pristine condition, you'd still be better off painstakingly fixing each ding. You'd really compromise the shape and risk utterly destroying it by attemping to rip off all the fiberglass. \n\n2. If it's a magic board - a shape so perfect that you don't think anyone could ever reproduce it - then maybe you'd want to consider re-glassing it. However, I still think you'd be better off simply fixing all the dings individually. Plus,  after ripping the fiberglass off and re-glassing it, chances are you'll have altered the board fairly substantially. I guarantee it won't be the exact same board ever again. \n\n3. If it's a board that's simply so thrashed, and so full of holes, that re-glassing seems like the best course of action...well, I still don't think it would be worth the effort. Your time and money would be better spent on a new  stick.   \n\nBottom line: surfboards are semi-disposible products (ironic, considering the toxic, long-lasting materials they're made with). Unless I've missed a potential scenario, re-glassing a board really isn't worth your time or money. \n\nHowever, if you're simply talking about re-glassing a section of the board, then absolutely. That's Ding Repair 101. \n\nThere's a good "how to" site here:\nhttp://surfsource.net/dingrepairguide.html\n\nAh, one more thought. If you have an old board that you want to spiff up and add some durability to, then you might wanto to consider adding a coat of gloss. \n\nThere's a good forum on Surfline about that very thing:\nhttp://forums.surfline.com/showthread.php?s=e2b338cfb16a64f0ed9a0b0b51a3ba1c&t=27741\n\nHope this helps!
373924
Here's how I've been cleaning my boards for 20+ years:\n\n1. Lie the board, wax up, in the sun. If it's a hot sunny day, around noon-ish, it should only take a few minutes to start melting. You'll know it's ready when the wax starts to glisten (yes, I know, people say you're not supposed to leave a surfboard in the sun, but we're only talking about a few minutes and, when compared to the amount of time it sits in the sun while you're actually out in the water surfing, that logic doesn't really add up).\n\n2. Take a wood or plastic spatula from your kitchen and start scraping the wax off in long, even strokes (you could use a wax comb, but most of them are way too small...it takes forever). Using a paper towel, remove the wax from the spatula and dump it in a trash bag. Repeat until you've got the bulk of the wax removed.\n\nIMPORTANT NOTE: Wax is gnarly stuff. If you get it on your patio or carpet, it will stain pretty much permanently once it melts. I suggest doing this on your lawn or laying down a large towel or drop cloth. Also, if it's not warm and sunny, you can use a blow dryer to soften up the wax. It's kind of a hassle, but it works.\n\n3. Using paint thinner, take a rag and wipe the entire board down (both sides). This will remove all the remaining wax, as well as any dirt or gunk on the board. Some companies sell a liquid they refer to as "wax remover" or "fire water" - it's all just paint thinner with better packaging and a bigger price tag.\n\n4. Rinse the board thoroughly with water. \n\nAd far as paddling out for the first time, you'll have all kinds of people give you all kinds of advice. 99% of it is worthless. \n\nAs long as you have a basic sense of how surfing works - paddling, catching a wave, jumping to your feet, etc. - you're pretty much ready to paddle out. No amount of advice, studying, or practice on the beach will help you ride that first wave. You just gotta keep trying until you get it. \n\nWith that said, a few suggestions to at least get you in a position to do that (and not die or kill anyone else in the process):\n\n1. Paddle out at a spot with the least amount of people you can find. Beginners are a hazard. Everytime you lose control of your board, you run the risk of tagging someone in the head. Very dangerous. \n\n2. BEFORE you paddle out, sit on the beach and watch for at least a half hour. Get a sense of where the waves are breaking, how often, and any other patterns you can pick up on. Do the other surfers in the water appear to be drifting in one direction or the other? If so, there's a current. Be aware of it. \n\n3. Use the lineups. In other words, as you're walking out into the ocean, pick a few landmarks on the beach and remember them. Then use those landmarks to gauge your location once in the water. They'll let you know if you're drifting, in which direction, and how quickly. \n\n4. Make sure your board is plenty big. The biggest mistake that 90% of beginners make is using a board that's too small. Get a big enough board and you might get up on your very first try. Get a board that's too small and it could be a YEAR before you stand up successfully. \n\n5. If possible, surf with a friend. The buddy system is tried and true. Better yet, get a friend who already knows how to surf. Don't force them to sit with you and watch you fall off 50 times in a row. Just having them in the vicinity can be helpful, especially if it gives you a chance to watch them surf. With a little luck, they'll paddle over from time to time and give you a few pointers. \n\n6. 90% of the time a beginner has blown the wave before he even attempts to stand up. This happens by either being too far back on the board (these are the guys you see paddling with the nose of the board sticking up in the air), in which case almost every wave will pass you by. Or by being too far forward on the board (these are
461041
I dont wax, and if i shave too often my skin gets irritated, so i wait a few days, let the hairs grow a bit...\nmy guy doesnt complain about it, so it cant be all that bad... ;o)
541863
use bikini zone. works amazing. better to wax there anyway.
361132
If u go to your local auto parts store they have a product called Meguiars Back to Black. It will take the wax residue off of the plastic without any harm to the plastic. It may take a few applications depending on how much wax is built up.
69055
You have asked an unanswerable question based upon the limited information you have given.\n\nFirst you need to be specific about "all the comforts of home". Does that incluse a dishwasher? How about a washer and dryer? Being able to take long hot showers? How big must your TV be? In fact, where is "home". Where do you plan to live onboard? In the north, south, east coast, west coast? How many people in the family? Do you like to camp or do you stay in hotels? You need to define what you consider an acceptable "lifestyle".\n\nNext you need to figure out what you plan to do once you move aboard. Do you plan to go world cruising and so need an offshore cable boat or do you paln to sail close to shore on nice days so you don't need the offshore capability.\n\nOK, next, you need to decide how much time and money you want to invest in maintenance and upgrades. You can buy an older boat with minimal equipment for a lot less than a new boat or you can buy a bigger older boat than a newer, smaller boat for your $100,000. Older boats always require a LOT more work and you will need to start replacing older equipment sooner on an old boat.\n\nSo think through those things first. I have lived aboard sailboats (38' and 39') several times and have years worth of experience. It is a great experience but you need to think through what is important to you and how you plan to use the boat and spend your time.\n\nCheers
450153
Don't worry about it; keep using the chisel - pretty soon, you'll be able to floss with the mooring line from your bass boat!\nYee-haw!
506919
hot  wax  will  take  it  off  and   keep  it  off  longer. and  it  will  make  it   finer  and  not  as  thick,  the   longer you   use  it.
141547
you can glaze it with liquid fiberglass to protect the paint
703753
Most boat dealers will do it for under one hundred dollars.  If you'd rather save the money like I would, check out the link below for great directions.  Good luck.
460199
This would be used to score the wax on your surfboard, there may even be a tool to remove your fins.  Run the saw tool horizontal down your surfboard after you have applied a generous amount of wax.  This will put little grooves through the wax and give you more stability in your turns so you don't slip as easy.\n\nI take it you don't surf?
1072092
Most boat dealers can get you paint for the hull or topside.  My only caution is that make sure the surface is well prepared... especially with gel coat or glitter.
1093715
It has to work again. I own a boat and really suffer to get it to start after the winter season. But after a little choke and reffs, it works like a dream
298179
depends on state, and country. differnet states have different laws for boating. some require licenses, some dont. etc\nhttp://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boating_laws.htm
718889
You can use something called a sand bath or a water bath (for the wax not you!) You can also keep it in a crucible and in a microfurnace. Your lab should have these facilities.
440473
Hey Jake!  When I lived in Ocala, FL back in the late 80's I had a Chris Craft boat with a fiberglass hull.  To protect the hull and the finish I would wash the outside and deck with a good degreaser (Greased Lightning) and after-wards apply a product called Sta-Brite.  It is a wax, not sure if it was a silicone base or not but it really repelled the algae and keep the gel-coat/finish shiny\n\nHyway