re: Ceramic Coating for boats

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Collinite >>> 3M?

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3M is quality wax, and IMO the ultimate gloss looks better than Collinite 885. Collinite lasts significantly longer though.

Use quality, clean microfiber towels to remove wax or polish. You can use detail spray for areas where it was applied too thick.

Don’t ever use cutting pads unless you absolutely have to. Definitely do not use them for wax applications.

DA = dual action or random orbital.

I have both and use both. I use my PC7424 for waxing or applying sealant. I use my rotary for compounding or polishing. If I were to only have one for a boat, I would have a rotary. If you want to use it for your car and your boat, then just buy a DA. It will limit the amount of paint correction you can do on your boat, but it’s MUCH more forgiving on clearcoat than a rotary polisher.

I would definitely recommend a rotary over a dual action for compounding or polishing gelcoat, but do some reading on pad type and corresponding polish/compound. For example, there are different grades of cutting pads. You don’t want to use a compounding pad with a pre-wax cleaner polish, or a glaze pad for compounding. Buffing pad distinctions are kinda like the varying grits of sandpaper. Just without numbers.

Also, watch some YouTube videos about polishing/compounding gelcoat. Pretty much anybody who is serious about gelcoat paint correction will be using a rotary, and you can watch/learn technique. Gelcoat is thick, but you can “burn” it if you’re polishing/compounding at too high of a speed or if you stay in the same spot for too long.

Happy to answer any questions. I’m not a “pro,” but I did paint correction on both boats and cars for side work for several years.

For that purpose, just go with a dual action polisher. I recommend the PC7424 as it will likely wind up being a lifetime tool for you.

Collinite can be super hard to remove depending on your application. This is especially true with the paste, which I'd recommend over the liquid for longevity. One thing to remember with Collinite is that a little goes a long way. If you think you're applying it too thin, you're not. If it's drying to a thick haze, you've applied too much product.

Another thing with Collinite 885 paste that's a bit different from other waxes or sealants is that you don't really have to let it dry before removing. Work the product into the gelcoat in small sections (4' or so), and remove immediately or shortly after application. Letting it dry doesn't do accomplish anything other than making it more difficult to remove. I apply to the hull of 18' poling skiff one side at a time, stern to bow. Once I hit the bow, I remove all the product from that side, then move on to the other. Topside, I apply product in smaller sections. I never let it dry prior to removal.

eta: I also second what the earlier poster said re: pads. Lake Country pads are great, and if you look at the website he linked, or other places like autogeek or autopia, the pads will have a description for their colors (wax, glaze, polish, etc.).

From whodat’s link, this is a great pad for applying the wax:

LINK /

If whatever machine you buy doesn’t come with a backing plate, make sure to get one. This pad will fit a 6” plate. Hook and loop is what you want, like this: LINK

I’d recommend removing Collinite with a good microfiber towel instead of a machine, like this:

LINK /

Use detail spray to break the product up if it dries on you or becomes too difficult to remove.

so both links are great and the towel is top notch too. I use them to detail cars and boats

as for pads. orange for cutting using compunds and such, I use a blue or black pad for applying wax and polish.

as for Applying wax I use the polisher. then come back and wipe it off with the microfiber. the cleaner is the same as well.

I wouldn't recommend using the polisher to remove the wax. the microfiber will do the job just fine.

if you would like some help and in the baton rouge area I can come by and give you some pointers or help with it if you aren't sure. email me -> whodat51486@gmail.com

For a cleaner wax, you're going to want a fine polishing pad. I believe the Lake Country colors are green and white. If it were me, I'd forego the cleaner altogether and start with something like 3M Finesse It. You can apply this polish with an orange Lake Country pad. It's an aggressive enough polish to remove minor scratches, swirls, scumlines, and stains with minimal effort. It also glosses out to a really nice finish. Cleaner would probably help your ultimate gloss, but I just think it's unnecessary on boats unless you're trying to be really, really thorough or its for a paying job. If you applied Finesse-It and then Collinite 885, I think you'll be really happy with the result.

I prefer the above just because a cleaner wax is not going to give you the same result in the same amount of time as a polish like Finesse It. A cleaner wax will take a lot more effort to remove scum stains, and often, you'll wind up having to polish anyway because the cleaner wax doesn't have enough cutting ability.

So, in your situation, my process would be:

1. Wash the boat.
2. Dry with waffle towel/microfiber.
3. Apply Finesse-It II with orange LC pad to the entire boat, working in small sections. Remove with microfiber towel.
4. Apply Collinite 885 with a blue or red LC pad. Work in sections that are small enough to avoid letting the product completely dry. Remove with microfiber and use detail spray if necessary.

I do the above to my boat once a year, and compound where necessary.

If you have some serious paint issues, or scratches that you can catch a fingernail in, this will require compounding (I use a wool pad for this, but you can use foam). Insert that step between steps 2 & 3 above. 3M makes an excellent product called Marine Compound and Finishing Material. A lot of detailers use that as a one-step product before sealant/wax, but it's very aggressive and unforgiving.

eta: here is a link with descriptions of the Lake Country pads and their respective uses.

LINK

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I wouldn't recommend using the polisher to remove the wax. the microfiber will do the job just fine.

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Definitely. Plus if you remove wax with a polisher, you're putting bare foam to gelcoat/clearcoat. If you get one piece of sand or grit on that foam pad, your neighbors will be hearing you cursing for awhile

Took tOB recommendations on the collinite wax and I’m impressed. Left a silky smooth shine and was very easy to apply. For those who have used both, is the 885 way better than the 925?

Yeah I’ve used this one and it isn’t bad at all