Detailing Cost

[MakeItAMudLight]

So I was going to detail my CS22 myself but time hasn't been on my side. So I called a few places in my area that do boats and apparently I'm in the wrong business. I'be gotten quotes from $1,100 to $2,200 for a basic detail including interior and exterior. That's just for regular wax. One place told me they'd recommend the ceramic coat and it would only be $3,960! Also my boat is a 2018 isn't really that dirty. So what are you guys paying?

[akorcovelos]

Got my 252 fully detailed, 3 step polish/buff/wax including all compartments and bilge for $450 with tip.

[MakeItAMudLight]

Got my 252 fully detailed, 3 step polish/buff/wax including all compartments and bilge for $450 with tip.

I'd be all in on that! I don't mind paying for good work but $1K plus just seems absurd.

[akorcovelos]

I wouldn't even consider anything north of $1k unless they had to do wet sanding or gel repair before the detail.

[tsouthard91]

Unless your boat has an extreme amount of oxidation and scratches, I could maybe see 800-1200.

I detail boats in my spare time and rarely go over the $700 mark.

But it all depends on the condition and wants of the customer.

For what it sounds like you are looking to do, 300-500 should be what you expect to pay.

I'll say this about the ceramic coating. We have vehicles that are coated, and it is truly amazing. The process is very intensive and requires an extreme amount of paint correction and prep work. For a boat your size, that price isn't far off depending on which coating they are using. You can expect 3-5 years out of a ceramic coating like "ceramic pro".

[MakeItAMudLight]

It honestly still looks almost new. I bought it right before Labor Day 2018 and it's been stored all winter.

I have the ceramic coating on all three of our vehicles and had it on two previous vehicles so I'm a believer. I just don't see the value of doing it to the boat.

[MnLakeBum]

Most of the boat dealers in the area are in the $25 per foot range for interior and exterior detailing which includes cleaning, minor oxidation removal, and a polymer wax. Exterior only is about $15 per foot.

[MakeItAMudLight]

Most of the boat dealers in the area are in the $25 per foot range for interior and exterior detailing which includes cleaning, minor oxidation removal, and a polymer wax. Exterior only is about $15 per foot.

Those sound like great rates to me! I must be in the wrong location. Who knew the Mid-South Area would have such high boat detailing rates?!

[cmattj]

Unless you have abrasions that requires sanding and light polishing. Exterior detail should be $600 ,( too include below water line cleaning for any yellowing.) And throw some wax where you can reach on the white hull to prevent further yellowing.
The interior with UV treatment I’d skip as most detail guys have harsh magic elixer sauce and lack the UV protection boats need afterwards.

You have fresh moist gelcoat that only should require a polymer sealant wax. Wipe her down and go I say! It’s Shale.. it’s the new pewter.. it’s perfect!

[MnLakeBum]

Most of the boat dealers in the area are in the $25 per foot range for interior and exterior detailing which includes cleaning, minor oxidation removal, and a polymer wax. Exterior only is about $15 per foot.

Those sound like great rates to me! I must be in the wrong location. Who knew the Mid-South Area would have such high boat detailing rates?!

There is a lot of competition around here with Minnesota having the most boaters per capita in the U.S. Rates were much higher in California. I have a mobile guy that is 20 years old who is excellent who is coming to detail both of our cars inside and out including clay bar, polish, and wax. He charges $200-$250 per vehicle and does an amazing job. As a bonus he uses almost all 3M products and I still have about $5,000 worth of samples he can use from my 20+ year career working for 3M so he welcomes bartering.

He does boats as well but is only local and my boats are sitting 130 miles north. I busted out the Makita buffer and my 3M DA a couple weeks ago and got the R5 all ready for the season. It was therapeutic!

[Table Rockin]

There are detailing services at TRL.....and i assume most others...that come to your slip to detail. Depending on boat size its anywhere from a few hundred to say 600. That price they quoted you is insane IMO but markets vary. I had our marina put a coat of wax on her when they pulled her to annual service. That way they can get the whole boat. They charged me 180 IIRC.

[tgrace98]

When I first bought my 262. It had some oxidation on the transom and a few other places. I paid a local detailer at Table Rock 700 bucks to load it on a trailer, and do a 3 stage buff, polish, and wax.

[MakeItAMudLight]

Unless you have abrasions that requires sanding and light polishing. Exterior detail should be $600 ,( too include below water line cleaning for any yellowing.) And throw some wax where you can reach on the white hull to prevent further yellowing.
The interior with UV treatment I’d skip as most detail guys have harsh magic elixer sauce and lack the UV protection boats need afterwards.

You have fresh moist gelcoat that only should require a polymer sealant wax. Wipe her down and go I say! It’s Shale.. it’s the new pewter.. it’s perfect!

Thanks for posting that pic. It was a good day! I'm going to tackle it myself in the morning with some help from my buddy before we leave for the lake. At this point I don't care if it looks perfect I just want to be on the water!

[MakeItAMudLight]

Any recommendations on a quick sealer wax? Boat soap?

[Big Block Power]

A bunch of us just bought a gallon or 2 of Adams H2O. Soap
Really I haven't found a great one. But I do like the one that comes with its own foamer spray. I think it could be made by turtle wax.
BioKleen makes a very nice sealer also. Both easy on easy off and protect very well.