Does salt water eat through wax?

[Begester]

I had my boat in salt water over the weekend and it appears as though the gelcoat is now a little bit dull. Is this a coincidence or does exposure to Salt Water contribute to a less than glossy gelcoat and/or dissolve the wax coat that I just put on a few weeks back? I was in salt water all day on Saturday and did a wash/cleaning of the hull yesterday and noticed several spots where the gelcoat was less than glossy and I could see what looked like towel marks (small abrasions when you use an old/rough towel). Is there any way to protect from salt water damage? Is it a non-issue that will go away after a few times back in fresh water? The area I'm referring to is on the broad side of the hull, above the waterline and above the bottom paint.

I'm typically a freshwater boater and am just beginning to explore the salt and I'd like to try and protect my gelcoat as much as possible.

 

[Philster]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

Washing salt = lots of soap to suspend the particles (all particles, not just salt). Lacking soap, having the particles of salt and silica sand (which is usually part of salt water) is like taking a towel and turning it into sand paper.

Salt and sand are usually part of the salt-water environs. The sand is the true culprit. Before putting a towel to the boat on washdown, use plenty of water and get plenty of soap on the towel/boat/etc.

Keep it waxed, and keep in mind the sun is thy enemy, too. Wax won't do diddly against sand.

What you are dealing with, based on your description, is abrasion from particles such as sand. Salt and sand travel together, and it's truly the fine sand that can be that abrasive. Salt isn't very abrasive.

You need a lot of water and suds to suspend that sand away from the gel. AND... rinse the rag/towel often or she is nothing but sandpaper. Salt and sand just happen to be found together in the salt-water environment. Some sand particles are highly eroded after millions of years, and can be very, very small.

Good news: Nothing that good, bubbly soap and soft/clean/well-rinsed towels can't handle.

(By the way, where are you boating?)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

IMHO, Salt water trashes the wax shine on hulls instantly. It does not damage the hull in any way, however.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

salt water doesn't trash your wax job, the sun does ten times the damage. It ain't frickin' acid like some of you guys think.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

agreed. salt water in one weekend won't do anything. Dried salt water like dries any water can leave a harmless residue.
And two days of salt water won't leave you with a layer of sand that turns your towel in to sandpaper. The dust in the air would be worse. It you are that concernedm then wash with a soft brush instead of a cloth, as you would do with a car.
Don't leave your antique dining room table in salt water over night. Your boat, however, will be fine.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

If your wax can?t hold up from a single outing in SW it?s time to change waxes.

I applied two coats of Collinite Paste wax the beginning of April. You can still shave using the side of the hull. No need for any towels or clothes. Use nothing but freshwater and a hose to rinse the salt away. If really dirty, a boat brush works just fine for cleaning up the boat.

The two coats will last the entire season.

 

[Philster]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

I could see what looked like towel marks (small abrasions when you use an old/rough towel). Is there any way to protect from salt water damage?

.

Folks, we are dealing with abrasions. Abrasions come from substances that are chemically harder than the gel coat. For example, on chemical hardness scales, diamonds can scratch anything. Salt, based on my experience and not the chemical hardness scale, does not scratch gel coat.

All it takes is a little silica sand, often found in salt water environments. Where I boat, sand is a big enemy of everything from hardwood floors, to boat finishes to car finishes.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

or dock pilings.

 

[Philster]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

I forgot that fresh water environments lack dock pilings.

 

[Begester]

Re: Does salt water eat through wax?

Thanks for all the replies, makes a lot of sense. Also a good point to pay attention to the cleanliness of the towels I use to dry off the hull, regardless of being in fresh or salt water..dirt/sand/rocks/etc can make a clean towel act like sandpaper.

I live in Seattle and boat in the Puget Sound. I've done a great deal of boating in Lake Washington and Lake Union, but now that I've had the boat for 3 years, I've decided to do some salt water exploring.

I just completed a trip to Blake Island this weekend, a great day trip and a great introduction to salt water boating.