In the February 2009 issue of Practical Sailor, we reviewed paste waxes, those harder compounds normally sold in cans or tubs. In our perennial quest for a glossy boat exterior, we have expanded our tests to include a long list of waxes and polishes now sold in bottles.

In choosing which product is best for your boat, first decide what result you are looking for. A bright showroom shine or long-term protection? What is your location, and how is the boat used? A formula high in carnauba wax may be best for a short-term brilliant shine, but one with a hard polymer or glass-like coat and UV inhibitors may have the…