My Vaseline Opinion.

[md-lucky]

Decided to give a whirl today.

Here are a few before pictures:





And after:





And the story:

I decided to peel off the vinyl pinstripes that run the entire length of the boat. I'm assuming these things where all the rage back in the late 80s, because this boat had 7 pinstripes. Yes, that's not a typo. SEVEN pinstripes. I decided to just do 1 side tonight, and I'll finish it up tomorrow.

After I got all the stripes off and all the gunk cleaned off, I was going to wax the boat. But, I've been reading about all these folks that have been using Vaseline with huge success. Okay, I'll give it a shot.

It goes on really easy. I used a wax applicator pad to apply, but I'm sure you could use just a regular rag too. A little bit seems to go a long way, so don't get carried away with it!

I allowed it to sit for a while as I worked on a few other projects. After it had soaked in place for about 45 minutes, I went back over it with a soft clean rag to get rid of any excess.

My final verdict? I give the vaseline trick a B-.

Yes, it did a decent job of getting rid of the oxidation. I also gave the boat a similar look to wax, but not quiet the same "shine" as a high quality wax.

If I did not have a buffer, I would consider doing it again. Or, if I planned on selling a boat and I didn't want to go over the entire thing.. I may consider vaseline again.

But, it just doesn't hold a stick to a true cut and buff then wax. It is thousands of times easier, I will give it that! If you are looking for a quick once over to improve the look, not bad. If you don't own a buffer, not bad. If you want the boat to look DETAILED, skip the vaseline and go with a traditional 3 step cut, buff, and wax.

I also snapped a quick picture of the vinyl I ADDED today instead of took off. Thundercraft boats have been out of business for many years now... So I hope this doesn't count as "renaming" the boat. As far as I know, this boat was never given an official name (other than the manufacturer’s name on the side), so we all started calling the boat the "Thunderchicken" out on the lake. Name stuck, and was officially added today.

[TilliamWe]

Nice review, thanks. My father tells a story about using motor oil to shine up a boat he and a buddy were selling back in the early 70's. Probably similiar results.

[Mark42]

Looks nice after polishing with Vaseline, but I wouldn't do it. The gel coat will absorb some Vaseline, and then there can be a problem with wax lasting any time at all after a Vaseline shine. Some folks rub auto trans oil on it too. Hides the oxidation, but like you say, the real solution is a cut, polish and wax.

BTW, where are the pin stripes in the before photo?

[md-lucky]

BTW, where are the pin stripes in the before photo?

You Sir, have sharp eyes!

I didn't take a picture before I started peeling the stripes. I actually walked back in the house to get a few things and decided to grab my phone for a few pictures while I was there!

I haven't done the other side yet, so I will try to remember to take a picture before I peel the pinstripes on that side.

Nice catch!

[WAVENBYE2]

Looks charp from what you originally started from! I went out and bought a big jar of Vasaline, I think we are supposed to leave it on over night in the hot sun to allow it to soak gel coat good, then wipe it off the next day to give it time to remove the oxidation, Quick question , did it actually remove the oxidation good? be cause I am going to do the same, before and after pics, I do know he said that once the oxidation and shine was back then you could wax her with product of choice>

[Mark42]

Looks charp from what you originally started from! I went out and bought a big jar of Vasaline, I think we are supposed to leave it on over night in the hot sun to allow it to soak gel coat good, then wipe it off the next day to give it time to remove the oxidation, Quick question , did it actually remove the oxidation good? be cause I am going to do the same, before and after pics, I do know he said that once the oxidation and shine was back then you could wax her with product of choice>

It doesn't remove oxidation. It soaks into oxidation making it look shiney. Just like rubbing it on flaky, dry skin makes it look nice and smooth for a while. After a few washings, the oxidation is back. I know of no manufacturers that recommend applying Vaseline to gel coat.

[WAVENBYE2]

It doesn't remove oxidation. It soaks into oxidation making it look shiney. Just like rubbing it on flaky, dry skin makes it look nice and smooth for a while. After a few washings, the oxidation is back. I know of no manufacturers that recommend applying Vaseline to gel coat.

It doesn't? I was under the impression that it did remove Oxidation! Well I need to remove the oxidation, ok whats CUT?

[md-lucky]

Yup. It seems to do a decent job, but I just don't think it is the end all that many folks have claimed.

Like I said, I would do it again if I was selling, or if I didn't have acess to the proper tools..

But, this boat went from this:



To this:



Using proper tools. This Vaseline trick was my "touch up" since some of the oxidation was coming back on the rear of the boat.

And I also found a picture with some of the pinstripes. I think the boat looks a hell of a lot better without them.. Especially since the stripes where torn and faded in many spots:

[windsors03cobra]

Boat looks nice and great name and decals, looks freakin factory.

[ezmobee]

Alright Mike, your boat looks great now. Lets get that ghetto fabulous picture in your signature link replaced

[_chris_]

I did the Vaseline job last week and am more than pleased with it, I had plenty of oxidation. I put it on the boat thick on last Wednesday in 95 degree weather and left it on for two days of 100 degree weather than wiped off whatever didn't soak in and it looks great shinier than it has ever been, I give it an A. I also think it had a lot to do with how long I left it on and the temp to liquify it.

[dkorzun21]

dude your boat wasnt even that bad mine was really cloudy and looks new in your pics your paints doesnt even look faded so obv it would only be a b- now if your boat was couldy and dull you would be like a+++++

[dkorzun21]

I did the Vaseline job last week and am more than pleased with it, I had plenty of oxidation. I put it on the boat thick on last Wednesday in 95 degree weather and left it on for two days of 100 degree weather than wiped off whatever didn't soak in and it looks great shinier than it has ever been, I give it an A. I also think it had a lot to do with how long I left it on and the temp to liquify it.

lol thats a long time mine was on there for 2 minutes and it brought a very dull boat back to new.. I wish I had before and after pics

[dkorzun21]

It doesn't remove oxidation. It soaks into oxidation making it look shiney. Just like rubbing it on flaky, dry skin makes it look nice and smooth for a while. After a few washings, the oxidation is back. I know of no manufacturers that recommend applying Vaseline to gel coat.

Thats because they own stock in 3m lol and probably just want you to buy a new boat when your not happy with it instead of fix it......

SOME ONE NEEDS TO WRITE TO MITHBUSTERS

[FBPirate95]

I guess this goes to prove to each his hown. I personally am very happy with the results from using Vasoline on my heavily oxidized boat. I did it over a month ago and it still looks good. I have also gone over it with a cheap boat wax and it seemed to shine up a little bit more. Keep in mind this is a 23 year old boat that I enjoy, but if it were destroyed for some reason I wouldn't lose a bit of sleep over. If I had a brand new boat, I agree using the proper method cut, wax, polish is the way to maintain the investment.

Back to the orignal post, the boat looks great! You've done a great job on her.

[salty87]

.. I wish I had before and after pics

don't worry, you'll get another chance pretty soon.

this is no different than any other snake oil claim. makes no sense but somehow magically works AND saves you a bunch of elbow grease. wait, there's more...

where's billy mays when we need him? rip

[dlindeblad]

Your title made me do a doubletake and I just had to read it tom make sure.

[IVAZ]

The title to this thread is hilarious. I think it should be changed to "My Vaseline Experience" just to make it better.
Sorry for the lack of a constructive comment.

[Mark42]

It doesn't? I was under the impression that it did remove Oxidation! Well I need to remove the oxidation, ok whats CUT?

Get a polisher (Harbor Freight has them for about $35) and some rubbing compound and polishing compound. Then wash and clean the boat. If its heavy white oxidation, it can be wet sanded or use comet cleanser and plastic scrub pads. Then apply the rubbing compound and run the polisher until a shine appears, the go over the whole boat again with the polishing compound. Let the polisher do the work, and run at slow speeds to start (600-1000 rpm), and higher with the polishing compound (1000-2000). Do not bear down, you don't want to burn or wear through the gel coat. Treat it like a car paint job and it will be fine. Will look great when finished and waxed.

Thunderchicken before photos are a good example of a boarder line oxidation that needs wet sanding/comet. Try the rubbing compound and see how it works first.

[thefairlaneman]

Wouldnt putting all that vaseline on the boat make it so slippery that it would slip under the water and sink?

[md-lucky]

I was hoping the Vaseline would allow the boat to slip through the water easier... Increasing my top speed.

In all seriousness, I guess I thought of an analogy for the Vaseline trick. (which is very dangerious to do, especially considering the potential this thread has to go overboard. )

To me, using the vaseline is like taking your car through the automatic car wash. It helps, but it just doesn't detail the car like taking out the clay bar and wax.

The Vaseline does a good job of helping the boat shine, but it just doesn't do as good of a job as taking a buffer and wax to it.

I'm glad many folks are happy with the results. They are by no means "bad" results (so far). But, it just isn't in the same ball park as doing it correctly. My humble .0841123 cents (after tax).

[Adjuster]

Has anyone ever tried this with natural 'lanolin'. There was a lot of talk for awhile about using lanolin on the outdrive and bottom for growth. Some claimed it worked great, others saw no results.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Mueller-PETROLEU...3286.m20.l1116


http://cgi.ebay.com/1-lb-100-Pure-Premium-Lanolin-USP-Awesome-Product_W0QQitemZ220326253030QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item334c77d1e6&_trksid=p3286 .c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205| 293%3A1|294%3A50

[FBPirate95]

The whole question about weather Vaseline will cause any damage is bogus in my opinion. And here's why:

Oxidation of paint occurs when the protective layer on the paint, weather is the clear coat or a wax, is depleated and oxygen is allowed to attack the free radicals in the chemical structure of the paint mixture. This gives you the dull and chalky look. Adding a wax coat every so often replentishes the protective coat on the paint keeping the oxygen out. The point here is that you have to keep a protective coat on the paint. If you don't periodically re-apply wax or vaseline, the protective coat wears away and oxidation will begin occuring.

As for the chemical differences in a store bought boat wax or vaseline there's not much. Most store bought waxes contain any or all of the following in varrying proportions:

carnuba wax (derived from leaves)
bees wax (you can guess where that comes from)
kaolin (clay/filler)
isoparaffinic hydrocarbons (basically paraffin wax)


Carnuba wax itself is a very hard wax once it is fully extracted from the carnuba leaves. Therfore in order to make it into a "workable" wax, a paraffin wax or bees wax must be mixed into it.

So what is paraffin wax? Well it is a petroleum based long chain hydrocarbon with chain lengths anywhere from the C20H42 to the C40H82 range. (basically that's the number of Carbons in the molecule) Having said that, Vaseline or petroleum jelly, is a petroleum based long chain hydrocarbon with a chain length in the C25H54 range. What does that mean? Vaseline is a paraffinic wax.

So why the differing results from a carnuba type wax versus Vaseline. Like I said earlier it is because carnuba is a harder wax. As you buff it, the wax plasticizes giving it a glassy look. The softer paraffin wax like vaseline won't plasticize in the same way.

Now with all the technical crap out of the way, what's the point? The point is to keep oxidation off of you boat, periodically put some protectant on your hull. If this means you enjoy and have the time to spend hours buffing and polishing a store bought name brand wax on your boat to get a high gloss shine, do it. If you don't want to spend the time or effort buffing and polishing and you don't need to see that glossy shine, use the Vaseline. Just do something and don't let the oxidation start in the first place.

[WAVENBYE2]

Thanks Mark42!! I am going start a new thread for every ones opinion on what is the best method and products to remove the oxidation, I will definitly take pics before. to get every ones opinion, great input every one and good job ThunderChicken

[skargo]

I'm a fan of using Vaseline, only been on the boat a month, but it indeed did remove the little oxidation I had, and it cleaned all kinds of stuff off of my hull.

I am going to polish over it, should really shine then.