Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats inside and out and applies ceramic coating for owners around Lake Lanier. Most details can be done at your dock or slip. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to book.
What a boat detail covers
A good detail is more than a wash. On the outside it means cleaning the hull and deck, removing the waterline scum line, and bringing back gloss on gel coat that has gone dull. Inside it means cleaning upholstery, carpet, vinyl and the helm so the boat feels cared for when you step aboard.
We tailor the work to the boat. A boat that is washed often needs less than one that has sat in a slip all summer.
Oxidation and sun-faded gel coat
Gel coat fades and chalks with sun exposure. Run a hand over the hull: if it comes away with a white or colored powder, the finish is oxidized. Compounding and polishing remove that dead layer and bring the shine back. Heavier oxidation takes more work, and very old, thin gel coat may have limits, which we will point out before we start.
If the finish has chips, gouges or cracks rather than just fading, that is a repair job. See gel coat and fiberglass repair.
Ceramic coating
A ceramic coating adds a hard, slick protective layer over clean, polished gel coat. It makes the hull easier to wash, helps water and grime sheet off, and slows the fading that comes from long days in the sun. Coating works best on a finish that has been corrected first, so we usually pair it with a polish.
Ask us how to care for the coating afterward, because the right wash routine helps it last.
Interior care
- Vinyl seats and upholstery cleaned and conditioned.
- Carpet and floor surfaces cleaned.
- Helm, gauges and console wiped down.
- Storage compartments cleaned out.
Mildew, sunscreen and food spills are the usual suspects on a lake boat. Getting them out before they set saves upholstery.
Detail before you store, detail before you launch
The two most useful times for a detail are the end of the season and the start of the next. At the end, cleaning off a summer of lake water, sunscreen and food keeps grime and mildew from setting in over winter. At the start, a polish and protective coat gets the finish ready for months in the sun. Owners who do both find the boat needs less heavy work each year.
Gel coat vs. paint
Most boats around Lanier have a gel coat finish, which is thicker than automotive paint but still wears thin with years of aggressive polishing. We match the level of cutting to how oxidized the hull is, so we remove the dead layer without taking more than we need. Painted hulls and specialty finishes need a gentler approach, so tell us what the boat has if you know.
Swim platforms and non-skid
Swim platforms, steps and textured non-skid areas collect dirt that a quick rinse does not reach. Non-skid in particular holds grime in its texture and can stain over a season. We clean these areas carefully with the right brushes, so they come clean without wearing down the texture that keeps your feet steady on deck.
What affects a detail
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- The size of the boat and how much deck and interior there is.
- How oxidized the gel coat is, which decides how much polishing it needs.
- Whether you want a ceramic coating on top.
- Interior condition, especially mildew or set-in stains.
Detailing around the lake
We can detail at your slip, dock or storage spot through our mobile boat service, or at the shop in Buford. We detail boats on Lake Lanier and for owners in Buford, Flowery Branch and Sugar Hill.
We also detail for boaters from Gainesville, Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Dahlonega and Atlanta. A detail is also a good time to book winterization before the boat is put away. Contact us to schedule.