Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats and applies ceramic coating for Suwanee owners, often in the driveway or storage lot. Washing, oxidation removal, polish and interiors. Call or text (770) 967-8495.
Boats that live outside
A Suwanee boat parked in the driveway or a storage lot spends far more time under the Georgia sun than on the water. UV breaks down gel coat over time, so it turns chalky and dull. Pollen in spring, tree sap and bird droppings add to it, and vinyl seats fade and crack. A boat stored under a good cover or in a garage holds up much better, but most still need a real detail every year or two.
What a detail includes
- A full wash of hull, deck and topsides.
- Waterline stain removal.
- Oxidation removal and polish on faded gel coat.
- Wax or sealant to protect the finish.
- Vinyl cleaning and protection.
- Glass, metal and helm cleaning.
Ceramic coating
A ceramic coating is a hard, thin layer applied over clean, polished gel coat. It helps the finish stand up to sun and makes cleaning easier, because dirt and stains do not stick as well. It takes careful prep, so it is usually done right after a full polish. Ask us whether it makes sense for your boat and how you use it.
Detailing at your home
Many details can be done where the boat is parked, through mobile service in Suwanee, as long as the HOA or storage lot allows it. We will ask about water access and space when you book. Coating work sometimes needs a covered space and dry weather, so we may suggest the shop for that part.
Keeping it clean afterward
After a detail, rinse the boat with fresh water after each trip, keep it covered between uses and wipe the waterline before stains set. Use soaps made for boats. These small habits stretch the time between full details.
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 how much deck and interior there is.
- How much oxidation and staining the finish has.
- Whether you want ceramic coating.
- Where the work can be done.
Pollen season
North Gwinnett gets a heavy coat of yellow pine pollen every spring. On a boat stored outside, it collects in the cockpit, sticks to wet surfaces and stains canvas and vinyl if it sits. A cover helps a lot. If the boat is uncovered, rinse it often during pollen season and plan the spring detail for after the worst of it has passed.
Choosing between wax, sealant and coating
Wax gives a quick shine but wears off fast in the sun. A sealant lasts longer. A ceramic coating lasts the longest, but it takes the most prep and costs more. For a Suwanee boat stored under a cover in a garage, wax or sealant may be plenty. For a boat that sits outside in a lot, a sealant or coating will hold up better. We will help you pick based on how the boat is stored and used.
Detailing before storage
Putting a dirty boat away for the winter lets grime, pollen and water spots bake in for months. A wash and a coat of protection before it goes under the cover or into the garage means spring starts with a clean boat. It also gives you a close look at the hull before storage, so any chips can be fixed over the winter.
Related and nearby
If the detail turns up chips or scrapes, our gel coat repair in Suwanee can fix them. Before winter storage, consider winterization in Suwanee.
Next door, we also cover detailing in Sugar Hill and in Buford, where our shop is. Owners who keep a boat in the water can read about detailing on Lake Lanier, and Forsyth neighbors can see Cumming. For everything we do in town, start at boat repair in Suwanee. The full service page walks through the process, or you can send us a note.