Boat Detailing. Products Needed???

[Mr. Vic]

I was just emailed a request to detail a boat. I'm never done it and have no idea what to quote this guy later on when i talk to him.
What kinds of products (at a minimum) do I need?
What are some things I will need to consider? (PC? location? special tools? etc.)

Mr. Vic

[Scottwax]

Definitely invest in gel coat specific products or pass on it. Meguiars and Collinite have great product lines specifically formulated for boat/RV use.

Be prepared to spend a lot longer than you think. I'd charge $15 a foot if the boat is in decent shape and needs no compounding to $25 per foot if it is in bad shape. The vinyl can be a pain to clean because of the exposure to sea/lake air, sweat and suntan lotion and every single cushion you lift up will have a compartment underneath to clean out. The carpet is usually not to bad to clean. The gel coat can be tough, especially if it is oxidized or has a lot of hard water spots.

You also have to find out how far down the sides of the boat the owner wants polished and sealed because if it is on the trailer, getting the bottom is going to be tough. I'd find out exactly what he wants done and see the boat in person before you decide whether to take the job or not.

[RTexasF]

Another product that is a must is Amazing Roll Off, a marine cleaner. It, along with muscle & a scrub brush, will clean non skid gel coat flooring when nothing else will touch it. Smooth gel coat is a non effort.

[themightytimmah]

If you rub your hand on it and it's chalky... *run away*. Oxidized or otherwise distressed gelcoat really requires a rotary and wool pads - via PC your best bet is gonna be to hit it with Meg's #67 and an orange pad - I like to follow that with Collinite on a black LC.

[joshtpa]

Check out the stern to bow products...They are great, as are collinite. I very much like Klasse AIO on my boat.

[bdaly84]

1+ for the Bow to Stern lineup from properboatcare.com. I used the polish and polish/sealant AIO. Very easy and friendly product in the sun. I also used their All marine cleaner...work great on black streaks, vinyl,and most everything else. I did however use Megs Flagship wash. I read great things about the wash and decided to use it instead of the BTS wash.

[joshtpa]

bdaly,
I agree with you there. Man, the BTS products are easy to use. I actually did my boat with them, and I thought I would never do mine myself.

[Mr. Vic]

Does anyone know of any kits that I could shell out 100 or so and be able to get everything that I need b/c I have no boat cleaning supplies.

Mr. Vic

[toyotaguy]

dont need a kit...

get a gel coat wax
gel coat compound
gelcoat glaze
vinyl cleaner
wool pads
rotary
ONR
maybe even some kind of water spot remover, but if compounding, not necessary

it took me about 4 hours to wash and wax and clean the seats on a 24' boat with minor interior cleaning, along with washing and waxing the trailer and wheels

[Mr. Vic]

Thanks guys for all the help. I really appreciate it.

[Anomaly]

I just detailed a 25 foot Cris Craft last weekend and used the Collinite Fiberglass Boat Cleaner (No. 920) and followed it up with the Collinite Insulator Boat Wax (No. 845) - and applied everything by hand no less with excellent results.

The cleaner wasn't too abrasive but then it wasn't able to get out some of the more oxidized areas of the boat. However, there was definitely a difference in those areas.

Using the Collinite was easy too (my first time using it, btw). The cleaner is liquid and can be applied fairly easily but will dust up a bit when wiping off. The wax has an almost jelly consistency and spreads onto the surfaces very easily with no dusting when wiping/buffing.

[Mr. Vic]

Has anyone had any problems with the use of these products being out in the sun like polishing a car in the hot sun?

Mr. Vic