Bluffton, SC
(843) 304-2798

800 to 4000 grit

White-hazed gelcoat polished back, stainless bright, bait wells clean

Wet sanding when the gelcoat needs it, then compounding, polishing and machine wax, with stainless, aluminum, lockers and bait wells included. From $59.50 per foot.

Call (843) 304-2798Request an inspection

Why gelcoat goes white and stainless goes dull

White haze on gelcoat is oxidation: sun and salt wear the surface until it stops reflecting and starts to look chalky. Water spots bake onto it, stainless and aluminum lose their shine, and the lockers and bait wells collect the grime of every trip. Craig's 2018 Sportsman Heritage 231 came in with gelcoat and trailer-ramp damage, and he wrote that it now looks brand new.

Detailing is a different job from washing. It takes off what has built up on and in the surface, then rebuilds the shine, which is why an inspection comes first. Whether a hull needs a light polish or a full cut back depends on how far the oxidation has gone, and Paul will say which it is before any work starts.

The grit ladder, the polish and the parts that are not gelcoat

Where the gelcoat calls for it, the crew wet sands at controlled grits from 800 to 4000, then compounds and polishes to remove the oxidation and bring the gloss up. Wet sanding is done only when it is appropriate, so a hull that needs less gets less. A machine wax or marine coating goes on last to protect the finish.

The rest of the boat gets the same attention. Stainless and aluminum are polished, lockers and bait wells are cleaned out, and the job ends with a final wash and inspection. The crew works with Starke detailing products, and packages that qualify also include exterior cushion cleaning.

The Fishing Focus review names Carson as the detailer and Doug as the marine mechanic, and says both clearly take ownership in their work. The same reviewer had a 23 foot boat waxed and bottom painted here and called Paul an expert in all facets of boat restoration.

Per-foot price, the inspection and booking ahead

Boat detailing starts at $59.50 per foot. The exact quote comes from an inspection, because a boat with light haze and one with heavy oxidation, deep scratches or stained lockers are different amounts of work. Request the inspection and Paul prices the boat in front of him instead of from a description.

Free pick-up and delivery from Old Joy Landing in Bluffton is offered for detailing. The shop at 138 Bluffton Rd (Hwy 46) is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with weekends by appointment only.

Plan ahead. The Fishing Focus review puts it plainly: they are very busy, you need to be patient to get an appointment, and it is worth the wait. Asking for an inspection date as soon as you know you want the work is the quickest way onto the schedule.

A white center console with T-top on its trailer beside the covered bays after detailing

A white center console with T-top on its trailer beside the covered bays after detailing

“No more white haze on the gelcoat, no scratches, gouges, etc.” Craig, Google review

Wet sanding range

How far down the grit ladder does this hull need to go

800

grit, the cut

4000

grit, the finish

Compound

Polish

Machine wax

Not every hull starts at the bottom of the ladder. Wet sanding happens when the gelcoat calls for it, at controlled grits, and the compound, polish and machine wax follow whatever the surface needs. Where the gelcoat is corrected first, a Glidecoat Pro coat can go over it, which is covered under ceramic coatings. A hull due out of the water is also due for bottom painting, and the gallery shows finished boats from the yard.