Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats and applies ceramic coating for Alpharetta owners, at home, in storage or at the lake. Washing, oxidation removal, polish and interior care. Call (770) 967-8495.
What sun and storage do to a finish
Whether an Alpharetta boat sits in a storage lot, on a trailer at home or in a slip at the lake, it spends a lot of time in the Georgia sun. UV light slowly breaks down gel coat, turning it chalky and dull. Vinyl seats fade and crack, and canvas loses its color. Boats in the water add a stained waterline. Boats on land collect pollen, sap and dust.
A good detail brings back much of the original shine and protects it, so the boat looks cared for and holds its value.
What a full detail includes
- Hull, deck and topside wash.
- Waterline stain removal.
- Oxidation removal and machine polish.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Vinyl cleaning and conditioning.
- Carpet, mats and storage areas.
- Glass, metal and helm.
Ceramic coating
A ceramic coating bonds to clean, polished gel coat and forms a hard, slick layer. It helps the finish resist UV and stains and makes washing easier. Because it seals in whatever is underneath, the prep has to be done right: wash, decontaminate, polish and wipe down before it goes on. It costs more than wax, but it lasts much longer.
Wax or coating?
Wax gives a nice shine but may only last a couple of months in full sun. A polymer sealant lasts longer. A coating lasts the longest. For a boat that sits outside in a lot or a slip, a sealant or coating usually makes more sense. For a boat kept in a garage under a cover, wax may be enough. We will help you choose.
Where we detail
Many details can be done where the boat is: at home, in a storage lot or at a slip on the lake, through mobile service in Alpharetta. We need water access for washing and space to work around the boat. Coating work needs dry weather, and sometimes a covered space, so we may suggest the shop for that step.
Interiors
Sunscreen, spilled drinks and wet towels take a toll on a cockpit. We clean and condition vinyl, clean carpet or mats, and clear out storage compartments where mildew likes to grow. Leaving lids open to dry after a wet day helps keep mildew away.
Detailing before a sale
If you are selling the boat, a detail is one of the best things you can do first. A clean, shiny boat photographs better online and makes a good first impression when buyers come to see it.
What affects a detail
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Boat size and layout.
- How much oxidation and staining there is.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Where the work happens.
Spring pollen and summer storms
North Fulton's spring pollen coats everything yellow, and a boat in an open storage lot catches a lot of it. Summer storms then wash leaves and grit into the cockpit and drains. A good cover cuts most of it. Plan the spring detail after the heaviest pollen has passed, and rinse the boat after big storms so debris does not clog the scuppers or stain the deck.
Between details
Rinse with fresh water after every trip, dry the vinyl, and keep the cover on when the boat is parked. Use soap made for boats, since household cleaners can strip wax and dry out vinyl. A spray sealant every few washes tops up the protection.
Related and nearby
A detail can reveal chips and scrapes. Our gel coat repair in Alpharetta can fix them. Before storage, consider winterization in Alpharetta.
Up GA 400, we also cover detailing in Cumming, and to the east, in Suwanee. For boats kept in the water, see detailing on Lake Lanier, and if you are near our shop, see Buford. Our Alpharetta boat repair page lists everything we do for owners in town, and the main service page covers the details. You can always reach us here.