Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

FSTHUH

Seaman
Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
57
I've read in some thread that cleaning/waxing the boat with a vaseline will give you the best results??? Is there more detailed information on this? I am worried if there are any cosiquences of applying vaseline to the gelcoat/paint!

Thanks
 

CHEVYJEFF

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
38
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

I took some blue nitrite gloves and wiped the dark green areas of my gelcoat down w/ generic white petrolium jelly. Let it sit on there for a week in the enclosed storage. Came back rubbed excess off then rubbed it in like a wax.

It looks much better then it ever did polishing it and waxing it. I will do it each season as I springrize it. You could come back and wax it later if you want. Gelcoat needs oil in its pores its not like paint, thats why it works so well.
 

chrisg

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
476
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

so there is another use for vaseline!?
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

I had an old timer tell me to use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and baby oil for faded gelcoat.
After a few applications it did shine very well...
I imagine the vaseline does a similar job.
 

pinecrestwoods

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
100
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

I read that on here somewhere, too. I didn't let mine sit on there for a week, or anything. I rubbed it on, rubbed it off. I had some red that was/is oxidized. I tried it on a small area. Yes, the red looked much more "red," but you can definitely still see that the texture of the finish did not change, compared to a non-oxidized area right next to it (make sense??). It helps. But IMO, it does not do the job that removing the damaged material and starting over will do. I tend to look at what the pros are doing. Why then are they working so hard with expensive machines and products, rather than pulling your boat to the back room and rubbing it with Vaseline???? Just try it and see if YOU are happy with the results- maybe you will be. It won't damage anything.

This might be the last straw with the wife, though, if she sees you heading to the garage with a huge tub of vaseline. Mine already thinks I spend to much time with "her." :p
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

totally a temp fix at best. the petroleum jelly fills in the scratches and imperfections making it appear better. but, it will also attract dust and dirt. since there's more petroleum jelly in the cracks, the dirt and grime will accumulate there....possibly leading to further deterioration of the gel coat over time.
 

sea wolf

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
1,219
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

totally a temp fix at best. the petroleum jelly fills in the scratches and imperfections making it appear better. but, it will also attract dust and dirt. since there's more petroleum jelly in the cracks, the dirt and grime will accumulate there....possibly leading to further deterioration of the gel coat over time.
Gee, I don't know about that. I've been doing mine for 3 yrs. & haven't had any of the problems that you describe. But, I also wax mine afterwards.
 

rb8484

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
135
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

Worked great with mine also. I put vaseline on and put the boat in the hot sun for a few hours, then wiped it off using several rags. Next day, i wiped the boat again, then waxed it.......looks great and have not had a problem with it attracting dirt......its not even greesy if you wipe it good and follow with wax.
Try it and see what you think!
 

tiara86

Recruit
Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
1
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

The vaseline was a good tip. I have an 86 Tiara 3300 flybridge that spent a lot of years in FL. Waxing is like putting wax on a sheet of plywood.

Last season I tried Buffmagic and it worked great but I don't think buffing every year is the answer.

The vaseline seems to oil the fiberglass allowing it to be waxed. I may try the baby oil next.
 

TJDave

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

Two year old thread. Boy, are you in trouble!:D
 

AZBoatDreamer

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
1,100
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

My boat is not oxidized but I do use vaseline after the annual wax job. It prevents water spots from forming on my boat. I found my own way of applying vaseline easily. I take a bowl with two big scoops of Vaseline and heat it up with a Heat gun. The vaseline will become liquid form and makes it easier to apply. Apply the vaseline and let it sit in the Sun for a few hours, remove the excess and fine buff with a Shammy or a Polisher. After this process my boat is beaming with shine. I do the vaseline treatment once of month because Im obsessive I guess. I have two big tubs sitting in my Garage now.

Also if I have some on my hands there is always other uses. :D

Happy Vaselining.
 

tybouff

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Messages
42
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

Where do you get the "tubs" of vaseline? Is it cheaper that way?
 

Levinz11

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
726
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

This reminds me...I need to lube up my gel coat again!
 

AZBoatDreamer

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
1,100
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

Where do you get the "tubs" of vaseline? Is it cheaper that way?

Oh a thread bump. Im overdue for a vase treatment as well.

What do you mean tub of Vaseline. Like a 5 Gallon Bucket. LOL

I can get a Large Jar of Off brand Vaseline from walmart for about $2.00. Last me 3 coats.

Off brand does just as well as name brand.
 

Thalasso

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,878
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

You have opened a thread that's three years old?
 

JEBar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
462
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

Vaseline is timeless!

apparently not only timeless, but completely new news to me as well .... doubt I'd of ever run across this thread if it hadn't of been bumped up

Jim
 

cls

Cadet
Joined
Sep 8, 2012
Messages
9
Re: Cleaning/Waxing boat with Vaseline???

yes i cant wait to try this
 
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