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Author Topic:   Waxing Lower Unit on Outboard

Rich S posted 04-07-2009 08:11 AM ET (US)
I'm curious as to how many folks here wax their outboard's lower unit - as compared to how many that don't. I've seen comments on both sides, but in searching I haven't really seen a consensus.
My head says it's a good idea...just keep the wax out of the water intakes and the speedometer intake on the Merc.
Also - what about anti-fowling paint for the outboard...I see folks use special paint for their transducer.

I'm new at this...so any advice is greatly welcomed! Thanks much in advance!
fishgutz posted 04-07-2009 09:00 AM ET (US)
OH NO. Never wax the lower unit. It will slow you down considerably. The wax disturbs the laminar flow of water over the surface. You may as well just drag a sea anchor.
dino54904 posted 04-07-2009 10:08 AM ET (US)
I use spray wax on my outboard's lower unit every time I wash it and clean it. I never thought about it affecting the water flow and slowing me down. I did it because it makes the gunk and oil easier to clean off. The boat only gets used in fresh (Lake Michigan) water. If waxing the lower unit can slow a boat down I bet waxing the hull below the water line does too.
R T M posted 04-07-2009 10:09 AM ET (US)
fishgutz is right. Just the opposite is the principle that allows a golf ball to fly higher and longer. DIMPLES. (reduced resistance) I always spray my gearcases with Rustoleum Hammered finish spray paint. It is a tough finish, resistant to scratching and has a slight dimpling effect. I`m always looking for an edge.
rich(Binkie)
Tohsgib posted 04-07-2009 10:14 AM ET (US)
Yes wax will slow you down. Not enough that you will EVER notice it. It also keeps your hull and engine looking good and easier to clean. I wax my outboards but rarely if ever the foot as I will just be dragging it through the mud when I splash it.
fishgutz posted 04-07-2009 12:56 PM ET (US)
I was bustin' yer chops. Waxing the lower unit will NOT slow you down. At least not noticeably. There are a hundred other factors that can slow you down much more than waxing. Everything from a burr on the metal to a paint chip or a tiny bend in your prop.
That said, I always wax my lower unit. (That sounds really bad.) While waxing the whole motor I just don't stop on the way down. (That sounds bad, too.)
When I raced catamarans, I always waxed my boat. My competitors told me, "That'll slow you down." I proved them wrong everytime.
A big advantage of waxing is it might slow some corrosion if there is any bare metal.
Bottom line, if it makes you feel good do it. It makes me feel good. I like stuff shiny.
fishgutz posted 04-07-2009 12:57 PM ET (US)
Another reason to wax, it'll keep you in "touch" with the condition of your lower unit. (OK, that sound bad too.)
Tohsgib posted 04-07-2009 01:04 PM ET (US)
How about we call it "the foot", sounds much better than waxing your unit or leg.
On the other hand I used to wax my Johnson religiously!
Main reason it was white and it would remove any stains or discoloration from hard use. :)
bruser posted 04-07-2009 01:33 PM ET (US)
Ok, I have a unique problem, I am a white guy with a black Johnson..... can I wax mine without causing a problem?
Tohsgib posted 04-07-2009 01:51 PM ET (US)
Just don't get any on your hands.
fishgutz posted 04-07-2009 03:41 PM ET (US)
I'm going blind!
deepwater posted 04-07-2009 05:00 PM ET (US)
ya gotta stop it guys,, im crying up here,, ^@^
Jefecinco posted 04-07-2009 06:55 PM ET (US)
Funniest thread on CW in my memory.
Butch
Dan posted 04-07-2009 07:30 PM ET (US)
I wax my outboard with liquid Turtle Wax. I use transducer paint on my transducer -- lightly sand first. I use special anti-fouling paint on the parts of my outboard that below the waterline -- makes a great difference.
Rich S posted 04-07-2009 11:34 PM ET (US)
"...a white guy with a black Johnson..."
ROTF
Ritzyrags posted 04-08-2009 04:58 AM ET (US)
This is really a good fun subject;
And I am fully for "Waxing Your Lower Unit;
And this while being on dry dock with nothing but good thoughts and fine drinks in the very hot High noon hours.
But seriously now;
I have come to make it a ritual to fully coat my "Lower Unit" with a product;
From Fel-Pro;
Called Outdoor Metal Protection, Maxi Coat.
For the prevention of corrosion.
It will produce a semi dry waxy film which will protect metal surfaces outdoor for up to two years.
It will protect against salt, airborne corrosion,heavy moisture conditions AND corrosive chemicals.
Contains no silicone and can be removed with conventional solvents.
For some of us who have their "Lower Unit" in the chuck year around.
As far as speed..Well gotta look at the anti fouling paint first as a drag factor;
To my point of view.
TC Goldman posted 04-08-2009 10:49 AM ET (US)
I really don't think the wax would last long at all at speed.
I would think between chemicals in the water and the high water pressure of going fast would strip in in one trip.
That being said I do wax my whole outboard when I wax, but not the bottom of the boat
Wax on boys :)

skred posted 04-10-2009 05:25 PM ET (US)
Talk about waxing eloquent....!
fishgutz posted 04-10-2009 10:44 PM ET (US)
skred, we're talking about waxing our lower unit not waxing our eloquent. Whatever that is.
hagerg posted 04-12-2009 11:08 PM ET (US)
I prefer turtle wax it's slow but sure. The liquid is preferrable. It gives a longlasting shine :)

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Author	Topic: Waxing Lower Unit on Outboard
Rich S	posted 04-07-2009 08:11 AM ET (US) I'm curious as to how many folks here wax their outboard's lower unit - as compared to how many that don't. I've seen comments on both sides, but in searching I haven't really seen a consensus. My head says it's a good idea...just keep the wax out of the water intakes and the speedometer intake on the Merc. Also - what about anti-fowling paint for the outboard...I see folks use special paint for their transducer. I'm new at this...so any advice is greatly welcomed! Thanks much in advance!
fishgutz	posted 04-07-2009 09:00 AM ET (US) OH NO. Never wax the lower unit. It will slow you down considerably. The wax disturbs the laminar flow of water over the surface. You may as well just drag a sea anchor.
dino54904	posted 04-07-2009 10:08 AM ET (US) I use spray wax on my outboard's lower unit every time I wash it and clean it. I never thought about it affecting the water flow and slowing me down. I did it because it makes the gunk and oil easier to clean off. The boat only gets used in fresh (Lake Michigan) water. If waxing the lower unit can slow a boat down I bet waxing the hull below the water line does too.
R T M	posted 04-07-2009 10:09 AM ET (US) fishgutz is right. Just the opposite is the principle that allows a golf ball to fly higher and longer. DIMPLES. (reduced resistance) I always spray my gearcases with Rustoleum Hammered finish spray paint. It is a tough finish, resistant to scratching and has a slight dimpling effect. I`m always looking for an edge. rich(Binkie)
Tohsgib	posted 04-07-2009 10:14 AM ET (US) Yes wax will slow you down. Not enough that you will EVER notice it. It also keeps your hull and engine looking good and easier to clean. I wax my outboards but rarely if ever the foot as I will just be dragging it through the mud when I splash it.
fishgutz	posted 04-07-2009 12:56 PM ET (US) I was bustin' yer chops. Waxing the lower unit will NOT slow you down. At least not noticeably. There are a hundred other factors that can slow you down much more than waxing. Everything from a burr on the metal to a paint chip or a tiny bend in your prop. That said, I always wax my lower unit. (That sounds really bad.) While waxing the whole motor I just don't stop on the way down. (That sounds bad, too.) When I raced catamarans, I always waxed my boat. My competitors told me, "That'll slow you down." I proved them wrong everytime. A big advantage of waxing is it might slow some corrosion if there is any bare metal. Bottom line, if it makes you feel good do it. It makes me feel good. I like stuff shiny.
fishgutz	posted 04-07-2009 12:57 PM ET (US) Another reason to wax, it'll keep you in "touch" with the condition of your lower unit. (OK, that sound bad too.)
Tohsgib	posted 04-07-2009 01:04 PM ET (US) How about we call it "the foot", sounds much better than waxing your unit or leg. On the other hand I used to wax my Johnson religiously! Main reason it was white and it would remove any stains or discoloration from hard use. :)
bruser	posted 04-07-2009 01:33 PM ET (US) Ok, I have a unique problem, I am a white guy with a black Johnson..... can I wax mine without causing a problem?
Tohsgib	posted 04-07-2009 01:51 PM ET (US) Just don't get any on your hands.
fishgutz	posted 04-07-2009 03:41 PM ET (US) I'm going blind!
deepwater	posted 04-07-2009 05:00 PM ET (US) ya gotta stop it guys,, im crying up here,, ^@^
Jefecinco	posted 04-07-2009 06:55 PM ET (US) Funniest thread on CW in my memory. Butch
Dan	posted 04-07-2009 07:30 PM ET (US) I wax my outboard with liquid Turtle Wax. I use transducer paint on my transducer -- lightly sand first. I use special anti-fouling paint on the parts of my outboard that below the waterline -- makes a great difference.
Rich S	posted 04-07-2009 11:34 PM ET (US) "...a white guy with a black Johnson..." ROTF
Ritzyrags	posted 04-08-2009 04:58 AM ET (US) This is really a good fun subject; And I am fully for "Waxing Your Lower Unit; And this while being on dry dock with nothing but good thoughts and fine drinks in the very hot High noon hours. But seriously now; I have come to make it a ritual to fully coat my "Lower Unit" with a product; From Fel-Pro; Called Outdoor Metal Protection, Maxi Coat. For the prevention of corrosion. It will produce a semi dry waxy film which will protect metal surfaces outdoor for up to two years. It will protect against salt, airborne corrosion,heavy moisture conditions AND corrosive chemicals. Contains no silicone and can be removed with conventional solvents. For some of us who have their "Lower Unit" in the chuck year around. As far as speed..Well gotta look at the anti fouling paint first as a drag factor; To my point of view.
TC Goldman	posted 04-08-2009 10:49 AM ET (US) I really don't think the wax would last long at all at speed. I would think between chemicals in the water and the high water pressure of going fast would strip in in one trip. That being said I do wax my whole outboard when I wax, but not the bottom of the boat Wax on boys :)
skred	posted 04-10-2009 05:25 PM ET (US) Talk about waxing eloquent....!
fishgutz	posted 04-10-2009 10:44 PM ET (US) skred, we're talking about waxing our lower unit not waxing our eloquent. Whatever that is.
hagerg	posted 04-12-2009 11:08 PM ET (US) I prefer turtle wax it's slow but sure. The liquid is preferrable. It gives a longlasting shine :)