Boats around Bendigo cop it from both ends: months in the sun on a trailer at home, then weekends on Lake Eppalock, the Campaspe, Loddon or the Murray. UV chalks the gelcoat, water lines stain the hull, and tinnies and alloy runabouts go dull and streaky.
Bring the boat on its trailer to our Spring Gully studio. Fibreglass hulls are compounded and polished to remove oxidation and bring back the depth of the gelcoat, aluminium is acid-brightened or polished depending on finish, vinyl seats and upholstery are cleaned and protected, and the whole lot can be sealed with a marine-grade ceramic coating so next season's clean-up is a rinse instead of a weekend.
What's included in a boat detail
- Hull wash and water-line stain removal
- Gelcoat oxidation removal — heavy compounding then polishing for fibreglass
- Aluminium brightening or polishing for tinnies and alloy hulls
- Topsides, decks, non-skid and hatches cleaned
- Vinyl seats and upholstery cleaned, mould-treated and UV-protected
- Windscreen, canopy frames and stainless cleaned and polished
- Trailer washed and wheels cleaned
- Marine sealant or ceramic coating on hull and topsides (recommended)
Gelcoat vs car paint — why boats need a specialist approach
Gelcoat is thicker and far softer than automotive clear coat, and it oxidises in a different way — the surface literally chalks and becomes porous. Restoring it needs heavier compounds, wool pads and more cutting than any car would tolerate, followed by a proper refining stage so it doesn't haze. Use car products on a chalky hull and you'll be back where you started in a month.
Aluminium is a different animal again. Bare alloy tinnies oxidise to a dull grey and streak; they respond to acid brightening and, for a mirror finish, multi-stage metal polishing (see our aluminium polishing page). Painted or powder-coated alloy is treated more like car paint.
Protection matters more on a boat than almost anything else we coat. A ceramic coating on a hull stops water-line staining, makes scum and algae rinse off and dramatically slows UV chalking. For a boat that lives outside between trips to Eppalock, it's the single biggest time-saver you can buy.
How we detail a boat
- 01
Wash & assess
Full wash, water-line and stain treatment, then a look at how heavily the gelcoat or alloy has oxidised.
- 02
Compound
Heavy cut with wool pads to remove chalking and staining from fibreglass; acid brighten or polish alloy.
- 03
Polish & refine
Finishing polish to bring back depth and gloss.
- 04
Interior & upholstery
Vinyl and fabric cleaned, mould treated, UV protectant applied; stainless and glass finished.
- 05
Protect
Marine sealant or ceramic coating applied to hull and topsides.
What affects the price
We quote every job individually rather than publishing a one-size price, because these are the things that actually move it:
- Boat length and hull type (fibreglass, painted alloy, bare alloy)
- Level of oxidation — a light haze vs heavy chalking
- Interior size and upholstery condition
- Whether a ceramic coating is applied
Send us the vehicle, suburb and a photo or two and we'll give you a fixed price — no obligation.
Good for
- Pre-season refresh before the first Eppalock trip
- Pre-sale presentation
- Boats that have sat outside uncovered
- Houseboats and pontoon boats on the Murray (ask us)
From the studio
Boat Detailing questions
Can you remove the chalky white oxidation from my fibreglass boat?
Yes. Heavy gelcoat oxidation is removed by compounding and polishing. Very old, deeply chalked gelcoat sometimes can't be brought to a full gloss without professional refinishing, but the improvement is almost always dramatic.
Do you detail boats on the trailer or in the water?
On the trailer, at our Spring Gully studio. That gives us full access to the hull and water line, under lights, out of the weather.
Is ceramic coating worth it on a boat?
More so than on a car. It stops water-line staining and algae gripping, slows UV chalking and turns the end-of-trip clean into a rinse. Most boat owners who try it never go back.
Can you get mould out of boat seats?
Usually, yes. Vinyl responds well to the right cleaners and a protectant slows regrowth. Badly perished vinyl where the mould is inside the stitching may need re-upholstery.