Gelcoat and oxidation
Most boats are fiberglass with a gelcoat finish. Gelcoat starts out glossy, but sun breaks it down over time. It turns dull and chalky, and colored stripes fade. Wipe your hand across it, and if it comes away white, that’s oxidation.
Polishing removes the oxidized layer and brings back the shine underneath. How much we can bring back depends on how much good gelcoat is left. Mild fading usually looks great after polishing. Heavy, long-term oxidation can often be improved a lot, but some boats won’t look new again. We’ll look first and tell you honestly.
After polishing, wax helps the gelcoat hold its shine longer. On a boat that lives outside in summer, plan on waxing more often than you would a car. Keeping a cover on it between trips helps a lot.
Seats, decks and the summer mess
Lake days leave their mark. Sunscreen and body oils build up on vinyl and turn it sticky and dark. Wet towels and shoes track dirt across the deck. Spilled drinks find every seam. Left alone in the heat, that grime can stain the vinyl and make it wear out sooner.
We clean the seats and surfaces gently so we don’t dry out the vinyl or damage stitching. A clean, protected interior is nicer to sit on, and it holds up better through our long, hot summers.
Mildew is the other common problem. A boat put away with damp cushions or a wet cover can grow dark spots on vinyl and carpet. We can clean light mildew off most surfaces. Heavy, deep-set spots may lighten but not fully go away. To prevent it, let everything dry out before covering the boat. Prop the cushions up and leave a little airflow under the cover so moisture can escape.
How boat pricing works
Every boat job is quoted, because no two boats are alike. A few clear photos of the hull, the deck and the seats are usually enough for us to give you a price. What sets it:
- Length and type of boat
- How much oxidation is on the gelcoat
- Whether you want a wash only, or polish and wax too
- The condition of the seats, carpet and deck
- Where the boat is and whether we can reach the whole hull
When to book
The best times are before the season and right after it. A spring detail gets the boat clean and protected before the first launch. A fall detail removes the summer’s grime and lake film before the boat goes into storage, so it doesn’t sit all winter. If you’re on the water every weekend, a mid-season wash keeps the buildup down. Spring fills up fast, so it helps to book a few weeks before you plan to launch.