They Used Blue Max for What!? Using Blue Max to Waterproof a Cardboard Boat
Sometimes the best product stories come from the most unexpected places. That’s exactly what happened when the team from Henkle’s Ace Hardware West decided to enter a cardboard boat race.
The rules were simple: the entire boat had to be built from cardboard and survive a race across the water.
The Story: A Cardboard Boat That Actually Floated
Faced with the challenge, the team knew they needed more than just duct tape and wishful thinking. They turned to Blue Max®, Ames’ professional-grade liquid rubber coating, to waterproof their homemade vessel.
With a few coats of Blue Max®, their cardboard creation was sealed tight, flexing with the material instead of cracking or peeling. The result? A race-winning boat that held up against splashes, water, and the weight of its crew.
Of course, Blue Max® wasn’t designed for cardboard boats, but this experiment proved just how tough and reliable it really is.
What Blue Max® is Really Made For...
While you probably won’t be building your own cardboard boat anytime soon, you will run into projects that demand serious waterproofing. That’s where Blue Max® shines.
Engineered for real-world applications, Blue Max® is a heavy-duty, elastomeric waterproofing coating that:
- Stops leaks – Ideal for sealing cracks, gaps, and porous surfaces.
- Protects against water damage – Keeps basements, foundations, and walls dry.
- Flexes with surfaces – Won’t crack, peel, or chip even with structural movement
- Adheres to multiple materials – Works on concrete, wood, masonry, metal, and more.
Whether you're dealing with a damp basement, a cracked foundation wall, or a roof that needs an extra layer of protection, Blue Max® has you covered, literally.
If It Can Waterproof Cardboard…
The story of the cardboard boat is fun, but it also says something important: if Blue Max® can waterproof cardboard long enough to float a boat, imagine what it can do for something solid like your home.
- Basements – Keep groundwater and moisture out to prevent mold and mildew.
- Foundations – Protect your structure from costly water intrusion.
- Roofs – Seal leaks and extend the life of your roof.
- Walls – Create a protective barrier against the elements.
In every case, Blue Max® provides a long-lasting solution you can trust.
A SIZE FOR EVERY PROJECT
Pro-Grade Waterproofing You Can Count On
The Henkle’s Ace Hardware West team may have used Blue Max® in a way we never expected, but their success highlights what makes this product stand out. It’s tough, flexible, and reliable, whether you’re trying to win a race with cardboard or protect the place you call home.
So while we don’t recommend building your next boat out of cardboard, we do recommend Blue Max® for the jobs that really matter: keeping your home safe, dry, and protected from water damage.
Contact us today to speak with a product specialist or learn more about how Blue Max® can safeguard your home or building.
Written by Joseph Butterfield
Sales & Marketing Manager