How often to detail/wax boat?

[fsudelt]

We bought our current 07 310 back in Sept 08 brand new and are having it detailed/waxed this week (we keep it in salt water full time-FL). Just trying to see what most people do in regards to frequency of having boat detailed/waxed? People doing it for us have said atleast twice a year and maybe quarterly as they claim it's same price either way (they charge less the more often it's completed). Thanks for any input! Think we got a pretty good deal as they are charging around $14-15/ft including taking it out the water to complete, and in the future they said it would be $7-8/ft.

Thanks again and look forward to anyone's thoughts!

 

[firecadet613]

What brand Teflon polish do you use? Apply with a PC?

 

[fsudelt]

Thanks for the input. We keep the boat at Daytona Beach, FL so we are def in the south. I guess then the guy recommending every 3 to 4 months seems about right. He said at that pace for my 310 it would be about 200-250 each time to polish, etc, including taking it out of water to complete.

 

[dpvandy01]

I'm with Sfergie, The actual process of cleaning, waxing and detailing is a lot of the reason I love owning a boat... I'm crazy detail oriented. spots mock me, black streaks haunt me.... I wash the topside weekly and pull the boat for a rub rail down detail every three to four weeks... Meguiars flagship is my drug of choice for waxing, besides Sam Adams and Romeo y Julietta.... oh yeah, incase my wife reads this, add sunscreen, SPF-30.....

 

[skolbe]

In my area - pulling the boat and dropping it back in alone is $320. I am in a covered slip and twice a year waxing and 4 times a year on the transom where it get's more sun seems to do the trick.

 

[carterchapman]

BTW ABH = Applied by hand, RBH = (you guessed it) Removed by hand

Part of the new "no acronym policy"...

 

[Fishnut]

In Florida, you need to polish and wax three-four times each year. I polish the chrome every other month. The sun and salt is tough on your finish. I sometimes will do the top side in between just to keep it looking good.

So there is a slight down side to boating all year around. :lol:

 

[hack4alivin]

I use Starbrite's Teflon polish exclusively. Application is simple ABH and removal RBH. I've used it for years, approaching a decade now, and have never been disappointed. I applied my fifth coat back in January. and have not removed it yet....The beauty of this stuff is that it is easily buffed off, even after sitting for months. (I wouldn't try it when the boat is sitting in the sun, but when it's indoors, it works great.)

Scott

BTW ABH = Applied by hand, RBH = (you guessed it) Removed by hand

Same here, 4 times a year ABH....

 

[Carver370]

I personally do my boat 2 times during the season, spring is buffing and then the second round mid season is just the wax alone. The hull lasts all season so that gets done once a year.

 

[Nehalennia]

I'm still in the "gettin' the shine on" process. But, once I do, soon, I'll be waxing twice a year. I'm constantly wiping stuff down and touch up waxing/ cleaning everytime we're out though.

 

[sbw1]

Your price is in the ball park. It's not a bad deal if they do a great job. I pay a guy to help me rub out and polish the hull. We start around 10:00 AM when the sun starts to warm things up. We take a 20 minute lunch break and work until 5:30. I do a lot of the work and he hands me compound and wax and keeps the electrical cord in the right spot. Helps me move the ladder also. When my arms get too tired we reverse roles. I believe I paid him $250 last year to help. Doing it by myself is a two day job and then we run into weather issues. This way, it's done effeciently and dropped in the water. I did the top and deck last October and put it away clean. Just looked at it Saturday, and it almost looks like it does not need to be waxed. But I can't stand to not wax it.

 

[earthmover17]

Florida is 4 times a year. Between the salt water and intense sun the wax just does not last.
Only thing I'd watch is the job they do. I've had three different services on my boat and was not satisfied with any of them. I now do it myself.
Jack

 

[wileecoyote]

Florida is 4 times a year. Between the salt water and intense sun the wax just does not last.
Only thing I'd watch is the job they do. I've had three different services on my boat and was not satisfied with any of them. I now do it myself.
Jack

You do a 560 sedan yourself?? Holy Crap, I thought my shoulders hurt!

 

[fsudelt]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. I'm having it done tomorrow or Wednesday depending on the weather so hopefully he does a good job and I don't have to search around next time. He was referred to me so I think he should be pretty good.

Thanks again

 

[VTSeaRay]

I don't wax,

I Zaino. Spring and fall, top and bottom. 303 on the vinyl/rubber, haven't figured out what to do with the carpeting yet.

-VtSeaRay

 

[RonF]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. I'm having it done tomorrow or Wednesday depending on the weather so hopefully he does a good job and I don't have to search around next time. He was referred to me so I think he should be pretty good.

Thanks again

How are you getting the hull done, on land or in the water? I can't imagine having the boat hauled four times a uear for waxing.

 

[fsudelt]

How are you getting the hull done, on land or in the water? I can't imagine having the boat hauled four times a uear for waxing.

On land, the place doing it is the marina right next to us, so they come over and drive boat to their place, take it out, complete job, and then put back in and bring back to my slip. All included in price each time. (which they said would be $450 first time since it's been six months, then $200-250 each time every 3-4 months)

 

[earthmover17]

You do a 560 sedan yourself?? Holy Crap, I thought my shoulders hurt!

I have a friend who seems to always be around so I tend to put rags in his hands. It really is not as bad as it sounds once you get a plan. I do normally pay to have the hull done though as it's like trying to polish the Queen Mary.
Jack

 

[sprink56]

How are you getting the hull done, on land or in the water? I can't imagine having the boat hauled four times a uear for waxing.

The last time I pulled my 390 it cost me $275.00.
Add $50 to chock & block. I won't do it just to wax. I'll wait until I do bottom paint. Since I've cleaned mine up, I can get the hull done (wax only) for about $200 in the water.

 

[RonF]

I have the boat hauled and blocked annually for bottom paint and wax. In between, I do the topsides once myself with a PC orbital buffer. The annual job, which includes compound ing and waxing, costs around $800. Hauling at the local DIY yard costs 220 plus 43 per day for overnight storage.