Elwood…… 3 things are needed for Oxidation: Oxygen, Heat and UV radiation. Eliminate one of the three and you will slow down the process. A good wax or sealant will help to eliminate this. This wax layer diffuses (refracts) both UV and infrared radiation from the sun. Without the wax/sealant coating, the radiation is absorbed by the pigment in the gel coat causing it to over heat, and trigger the chemical reaction that will dry out, dull and oxidize the surface. The 2 most used ways to prevent oxidation are Wax and Polymer sealants. Protect the Gel Coat with a paste wax. Any good paste wax with a high Carnauba content will protect. Most retail waxes only contain between 3 % and 5 % pure Carnauba, the more Carnauba, the higher the price. Cons = paste waxes will start to break down and melt in High air temps/humidity usually in high 90 degree temps. High air temps and friction from the water will remove a lot of the wax layer. If boat is used in these conditions, paste wax should be applied every couple of months, or sooner. it is Hard to find high Carnauba content wax, and can be very expensive. Collonite makes some decent high Carnauba waxes : http://www.waxbytes.com/marine.html Another option is a Polymer Sealer for the gel coat. One of the best made is a product called Pro – Tec. http://www.protecproducts.com/products.html A Polymer sealer that forms a chemical bond with the Gel Coat to seal the pores preventing contaminants from settling in the pores. I have been using Pro-Tec for 8 years..I fish nothing but dirty, stained Tidal Waters on the Upper Chesapeake Bay river systems, Have a white hull/top cap/blue sides 2003 Pantera III that still looks factory white…..scum like wipe right off the Pro – Tec sealant.
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