This may seem like a silly question, but I just bought my first canoe and her to just gleam. It's an Algonquin 16 Kevlar and although it is technickly a "used" canoe, it was only used twice by it's previous owner, so it's basicly new, but is in need of a good polishing.

Is there a special wax I need or is any standard wax ok?

Thanks in advance for your time.



Jim

http://www.algonquintrips.blogspot.com

I use regular no issues, but I guess you could by the special wax for boats.

I think my Wenonah manual mentions something about buffing compound or regular car wax. The thing they do say for certain is that some waxes are abrasive, so be careful with the gelcoat.

303 Aerospace Protectant - "SPF 40 SUNSCREEN" for your stuff. Wenonah sells it for their canoes, and you can pick it up at Canadian tire. Congrats on your new ride, red is faster in the water!!!

hey man,
I have a Swift Kipiwa and they say use New-Finish. Can pick it up at Crappie Tire. In a orange plastic container. Easy to use and works great. I do this once a year (year end) and it does bring back the shine indeed.

cheers and love the color.

Mike

You might want to check out ...

`303’ .. maintenance product manufacturers recommend. UV screening protection for colored gel-coat fiberglass, inflatable boats, vinyl, clear vinyl (isinglass) windows, rubber, plastics & leather.

* Spray on/wipe dry
* Treated surfaces repel dirt, soiling, staining, water spots, salt water and mildew
* Non-toxic & environmentally safe



http://www.paramotorsuk.co.uk/forsale/trade/303/techfacts1.pdf

Randy has it at the AO store in Huntsville.


Barry Bridgeford
(central York Region)

Yep 303 is great for protection from the sun, etc. We 303 most of our new boats we sell.


Randy Mitson
Paddle Sport Manager
Marketing Director
Algonquin Outfitters
Huntsville

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who responded. Some great information to be sure.

If I'm reading this correctly, the 303 looks like more of a protectant then a wax, but would be great to help keep the gel coat in near perfect condition...although avoiding rocks and logs would be helpful too.

The Nu Finish Mike B suggested is a product I have used before (on cars mind you..) and really liked. Thanks buddy!

So would there be anything wrong with applying the Nu Finish to get the shine I want and then using the 303 for UV protection?

Jim

http://www.algonquintrips.blogspot.com

I would clean your canoe with mild soap and apply the 303 only. It will bring out the color and give you a nice shine also. Cheers Tom

Never found a wax that makes the portaging any easier ( unlike when I wax
my X-country skis )

Perhaps the canoe might slide of trees and low branches easier but
unlikely it will drag any easier


Must be one of those coffee table canoes to deserve such treatment?

Me... Fish attracture hull polish is adequate (BTW: OFAH members get
this free at most outdoors shows )

Rac n

My coffee table canoe was on pog, whitefish, rock, smoke lake, and the barron canyon, in the rain last weekend.

Racoon, you forgot beaver dams!

If any of you find a wax to help slide canoes over beaver dams let me know.

I guess you can say that I'm a waxless guy as I think it isn't worth it. Actually I chuckle when I hear people talking about it. It would just get scraped off in no time anyway, unless you just stay on lakes and baby your canoe. I guess it depnds on how rough your interior trip terrain is.

Dragging bottom on shallow creeks, scraping alders in creeks, bumping off rocks in streams, portaging the lower use trails, would all take care of a wax job quickly!

All in good fun!

Algonquin here I come!! First time car camping this year!

(Someone has to feed the blackflies!)

AM