Wax Test Results

After spending a year outside in New England's rigorous weather, our test specimens revealed which waxes endure, and which don't. We've long favored paste waxes over liquid versions, and the superior performance of Collinite's No. 885—our clear winner—supports that outlook. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze paste wax is the runner-up.

Shown here, as originally prepared for long-term outdoor exposure is PS’s tired fiberglass panel. It had been washed, scrubbed, rinsed repeatedly and dried thoroughly before the 28 coatings were applied to the inked circles.

Late last summer, on August 3, 2003, Practical Sailor placed outdoors a tired old fiberglass and gelcoat panel to which had been applied 26 kinds of waxes, along with one liquid plastic and one Teflon coating. The object of this PS test was to determine which, if any, of the finishes—hand-applied to the weathered panel—would restore some gloss and last a full year. In other words, which one would provide protection for the gelcoat from one spring to the next, and might still have a bit of shine left? Of course, gelcoat protection was our primary interest.…