Protecting stainless and gelcoat during winter

[B4A]

Greetings everyone,

During the previous winter while my vessel was on dry dock in Turkey, I came across an intriguing methodology: Certain maintenance enterprises within the shipyard applied wax onto the gelcoat and stainless steel surfaces, refraining from subsequent polishing, and allowing the wax to remain unattended throughout the entire 6-month winter duration.

The rationale provided is that the somewhat indiscriminate application of wax serves as a protective layer for both the gelcoat and stainless steel during the winter period.

I am interested to ascertain the prevalence of such a procedure. While the application of wax on gelcoat appears comprehensible, I am inclined to inquire about the potential ramifications of employing this approach on stainless steel.

Could the substantial presence of wax potentially impede the access of oxygen to the stainless steel surface, thereby promoting the initiation of corrosion?