Waxing and polishing

In a round about way, people are saying, "yes it's worth waxing your sailplane". They do this by stating what they use to do it.

Does anyone have any experience with the F11 product marketed in the US for cars and boats. Their website says it is silicone free.

https://www.ducora.com/index.php/top...-polish-sealer

At 12:41 04 March 2019, Charlie M. UH & 002 owner/pilot wrote:
In a round about way, people are saying, "yes it's worth waxing your
sailplane". They do this by stating what they use to do it.

It really is worth waxing your sailplane (and trailer). Helps to keep out
the UV. I soft wax was mine 3 times each year. Not keen on hard waxing.
Mike

At 20:10 04 March 2019, Mike Smith wrote:
At 12:41 04 March 2019, Charlie M. UH & 002 owner/pilot
wrote:
In a round about way, people are saying, "yes it's worth
waxing your
sailplane". They do this by stating what they use to do it.

It really is worth waxing your sailplane (and trailer). Helps to
keep ou
the UV. I soft wax was mine 3 times each year. Not keen on
hard waxing
Mike



If I am grid squatting just hanging around waiting for the
launches to start the fall back position is to get a cloth and bottle
of mer and polish the wings.It can't hurt ,might improve the
performance, and you can think about the coming task while your
hands do the work.

Going a bit off topic here, not really looking for materials or products, just want to know, is it worth it to wax and polish the glider? For example, keeping it in great condition, smooth and shiny?


It all depends, does resale value mean anything to you?

Going a bit off topic here, not really looking for materials or products, just want to know, is it worth it to wax and polish the glider? For example, keeping it in great condition, smooth and shiny?

Senna:
I have had good luck with the finish on all of my gliders. I have always done the entire glider surface twice each year (with Carnuba wax) being especially careful to apply a good coat of wax at the areas where I use tape. The Schleicher Flight Manual states : "It is recommended that appropriate areas should be thoroughly waxed beforehand so that the adhesive tape can afterwards be cleanly removed without lifting the paint finish."
It is easiest to apply wax to underside of the wings when they are stored in the trailer with the fuselage removed.
ROY

It is easiest to apply wax to underside of the wings when they are stored in the trailer with the fuselage removed.
ROY

No, it is easiest to apply wax to the underside of the wings when they are upside down on sawhorses in a heated hangar. Same for the bottom of the fuselage. Try it!

Not to derail the discussion, had there been any examples of using the new ceramic finishes on gel coat?

Dredging up an older thread on polishing.

My question is *NOT* about the polish to use but what *POLISHER* to use. There seems to be three-ish choices;

1) Using sweat and hands (of you or others) - $0
2) Using an electric single head polisher - $50 (no name) up to $200 (name brand Dewalt, Wen, etc)
3) Using an electric dual head (random orbital) polisher - $100 (no name brand) up to $400 (Cyclo brand variable speed)

Your thoughts? Speed to use?

Thanks, John "Thinking Spring" OHM Ω

lol, Im sure people will chime in but I use the cheapest variable speed single head polisher I can find: IE a harbor frieght pos! The key is to make sure when getting close to anything you may "catch" with the pad is to go slow and always away from the edge. That includes seals flap/ aileron junctions, mylar ect. It definetly takes alittle practice and vigilance, heavy on the vigilance Good luck