Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats and applies ceramic coating for Dahlonega owners, where the boat is kept or at our shop: mildew, pollen, oxidation, polish and protection. Call (770) 967-8495.
After a long storage season
A boat that spends months in a barn, garage or lot in the North Georgia hills often comes out with a layer of dust, pollen and sometimes mildew. Damp air under a cover can turn vinyl spotty and leave a musty smell in storage lockers. Boats left outside also face sun, leaves and tree sap. A spring detail gets all of that off and protects the finish for the season.
What a detail covers
- Hull, deck and topside wash.
- Mildew treatment for vinyl and lockers.
- Oxidation removal and machine polish.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Vinyl cleaning and conditioning.
- Carpet, mats, glass, metal and helm.
Mildew
Mildew grows where it is damp and still. Under a tight cover in a humid spring, seats and lockers are perfect for it. We clean it out with products made for marine vinyl and suggest how to keep it from coming back: a vented cover, lockers propped open, and a dry boat before it goes into storage.
Ceramic coating
A ceramic coating forms a hard layer over clean, polished gel coat. It helps resist UV and stains, and dirt rinses off more easily. Prep matters, because it seals in whatever is underneath. Coatings also need dry, mild weather to cure, so we plan coating work accordingly.
Where we detail
Many details can be done where the boat is kept through mobile service in Dahlonega, if there is water and room to work. Coating work may need the shop. Boats kept on the lake can be detailed at the dock.
Wax, sealant or coating
Wax adds shine but wears off in a couple of months of sun. A sealant lasts longer. A coating lasts the longest and costs the most. For a boat stored inside most of the year, wax or sealant may be enough. For a boat left outside, a sealant or coating holds up better.
Before Gold Rush Days or a sale
Planning to sell? A full detail helps a boat photograph well and look cared for. And if family is coming in for a fall weekend, a clean boat makes the last lake trips of the year more fun.
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, mildew and staining there is.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Where the work happens.
Pollen and tree sap
The hills around Dahlonega are full of trees. Pine pollen in spring and sap from overhanging branches can stain gel coat and canvas if they sit. Park the boat clear of trees when you can, keep it covered, and rinse often in spring.
Interiors after storage
Seats, carpet and lockers often smell musty after a long storage season. We clean and deodorize them and treat vinyl so it stays soft.
Choosing what to protect first
Start with what fades first: the deck, upper hull sides and vinyl. The lower hull can follow. A fitted, vented cover is the cheapest protection, and it keeps leaves and pollen off in the hills.
A simple upkeep routine
After each lake trip, rinse the boat with fresh water before the drive home, or as soon as you get back. Dry the seats, open the lockers to air out, and check that drain plugs and scuppers are clear. Before long storage, wash and protect the hull so grime does not sit for months. These habits keep mildew and stains in check between full details, and they make the spring detail quicker.
Related and nearby
A detail can reveal chips or scrapes. Our gel coat repair in Dahlonega can fix them. Before storage, plan winterization in Dahlonega.
Down the Chestatee toward the lake, we offer detailing in Gainesville and in Cumming. Boats kept in the water are covered on our detailing on Lake Lanier page, and our shop sits in Buford. For everything we do for mountain owners, see boat repair in Dahlonega. The main service page has the full process, or you can reach us here.