Marine Detailing

Marine Detailing

Hull compound, gel coat correction, canvas care, jet ski detail, trailer wash, and graphene coatings. We come to the boat.

Get a Quote — From $299 See All Services
Starting at
$299
Hull compound & premium wax · Mobile service
✓ Gel coat correction & restoration
✓ Salt water anti-corrosion treatment
✓ Canvas & bimini top cleaning
✓ Jet ski & personal watercraft
✓ Trailer wash & hardware detail
✓ Graphene marine coatings
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What we do

Marine Services

From center-console fishing boats to yachts, jet skis to personal watercraft — TidalShine handles every vessel type on the NC coast. We come to your marina, dock, or storage facility.

Core Service

Gel Coat Correction

Chalky, oxidized gel coat isn't just ugly — it's degrading. We compound and polish hull surfaces to restore the glossy showroom finish. Also includes non-skid deck restoration.

  • Multi-stage compounding
  • Oxidation removal
  • Non-skid deck compound
  • Wax & sealant protection
Boats & Yachts

Boat & Yacht Detail

Full interior and exterior detail for vessels of all sizes. Cockpit, console, vinyl, upholstery, waterline, and hardware. We handle center-consoles, cruisers, and sailing yachts.

  • Hull compound & wax
  • Cockpit & console detail
  • Vinyl & upholstery cleaning
  • Waterline & topside detail
PWC

Jet Ski & PWC Care

Personal watercraft take a beating — salt, slime, impacts. Full detail includes hull cleaning, deck wipe-down, seat conditioning, and graphics protection. Quick turnaround.

  • Hull wash & decontaminate
  • Seat & jet seat cleaning
  • Graphics protection wipe
  • Storage prep detail
Soft Goods

Canvas & Soft-Top Care

Bimini tops, cockpit enclosures, sail covers, and weather covers. We clean, treat, and protect canvas and vinyl windows. Mildew treatment, UV protection, and water-repellent reapplication.

  • Bimini & cockpit enclosure clean
  • Mildew treatment
  • Vinyl window polish
  • UV-protectant treatment
Under the Boat

Trailer Detailing

Trailers rust, corrode, and carry salt long after the boat's been launched. We pressure-wash, treat rust spots, lubricate bearings, and detail hardware. Launch ready every time.

  • Pressure wash & de-salt
  • Rust treatment & prevention
  • Bearing inspection & lube
  • Wiring & light check
Premium Protection

Graphene Marine Coatings

Graphene oxide + ceramic hybrid for marine gel coat. Harder than gel coat alone, chemical-resistant to salt and fuel, and self-leveling for uniform coverage. 3–5 year protection with annual maintenance.

  • Gel coat paint correction first
  • Graphene-ceramic hybrid coat
  • Salt & fuel chemical resistance
  • Annual maintenance program

The coastal problem

Salt Water is Your Boat's Worst Enemy

Galvanic Corrosion

Salt water conducts electricity. On aluminum outboards, stainless hardware, and underwater metals, it creates galvanic cells that eat through components in months if not protected.

Oxidation Accelerated

Salt + air + UV = accelerated gel coat breakdown. The Brunswick County coast environment is specifically harsh — the combination of Atlantic salt, high humidity, and strong sun takes years off gel coat life.

Waterline Staining

Mineral deposits, algae, and salt deposits at the waterline stain gel coat permanently if left untreated. Regular rinsing and proper waterline cleaning prevents permanent etching.

Electrical System Risk

Salt moisture in wiring, connectors, and electronics compartments causes corrosion, shorts, and failure. Marine detailing includes compartment cleaning and contact protection treatment.

Gel coat restoration

Gel Coat vs. Paint — Why It Matters

Boat gel coat is a thermosetting plastic — thick, durable, and designed to be the outer surface of the hull. Unlike automotive clear coat (1.5–2 mils), gel coat runs 15–25 mils thick. That extra depth means more correction is possible without risk — but the techniques are different.

1

Gel coat oxidizes from the outside in — chalky surface, glossy underneath. Correction removes the oxidized layer.

2

Wet sanding with 1500–3000 grit is commonly needed for heavy oxidation and waterline stains.

3

Compounds and pads must be matched to gel coat hardness — wrong pad or compound causes holograms and hazing.

4

Post-correction wax or graphene coating seals the restored surface against salt intrusion and UV damage.

Before

Oxidized Gel Coat

Chalky, faded surface with waterline staining, spider-web scratches from power washing, and UV degradation across all gel coat surfaces.

After

Restored Gel Coat

Deep glossy finish, water beading on hull, uniform color restored across topsides. Ready for wax or graphene coating application.

Protection

Sealed & Protected

Annual maintenance program includes fresh wax or graphene reapplication, waterline treatment, and hardware rinse to prevent salt corrosion.

What to expect

The Marine Detail Process

01

Freshwater Rinse

Full hull rinse with deionized water to remove surface salt before any work begins. Prevents salt abrasion during the detailing process.

02

Hull Wash & Decon

Clay bar treatment across topsides to pull bonded salt minerals, waterline deposits, and industrial fallout that washing can't remove.

03

Oxidation Assessment

Evaluate gel coat condition panel by panel under bright light. Heavy oxidation gets compound. Light oxidation gets fine polish. Waterline stains get wet sanding.

04

Gel Coat Correction

DA polisher with marine-grade compounds. We work in small sections, using the least aggressive approach that achieves the desired result.

05

Wet Sanding (if needed)

For waterline stains, heavy oxidation, and blistering — wet sanding with 1500–3000 grit, followed by compound and polish to restore clarity.

06

Protection Application

Panel wipe, then premium marine wax or graphene coating. Salt-resistant barrier locks in the correction and prevents future oxidation.

Hull compound jobs take 1–2 days. Full correction with graphene coating takes 2–3 days. Boat must be out of water or at a location we can access.

Pricing

Marine Detail Packages

Boat & Yacht

Hull Compound & Wax

From $299

Entry-level marine detail. Hull wash, decon, compound, and premium marine wax. Good for seasonally maintained vessels.

  • Freshwater hull rinse
  • Clay bar decontamination
  • Single-stage compound
  • Premium marine wax
  • Waterline treatment
  • Duration: 4–8 hours
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Most Popular

Gel Coat Correction

From $599

Full gel coat restoration with multi-stage compounding. Removes oxidation, waterline stains, and light scratches. Includes wax protection.

  • Everything in Hull Compound
  • Multi-stage compounding
  • Wet sanding (if needed)
  • Oxidation elimination
  • Premium marine wax
  • Duration: 1–2 days
Get a Quote
Full Service

Graphene Marine Coat

From $1,299

Gel coat correction + graphene-ceramic hybrid coating. Hardest, most salt-resistant marine protection available. Annual maintenance program included.

  • Everything in Gel Coat Correction
  • Graphene-ceramic hybrid coat
  • Salt & fuel chemical resistance
  • 3–5 year coating life
  • Annual maintenance program
  • Duration: 2–3 days
Get a Quote

Pricing varies by vessel size, gel coat condition, and whether wet sanding is required. We'll give you a firm quote after inspection.

Our work

Before & After

Oxidized gel coat on boat hull before compound and polish Before

Gel Coat Restoration

Chalky, UV-damaged gel coat on a Sea Ray Sundancer. Multi-stage compound and polish.

Marine Detailing
Hull after gel coat correction showing deep glossy finish After

Showroom Gel Coat

Gloss restored, oxidation eliminated. Client takes it to offshore tournaments every season.

Marine Detailing
Faded canvas bimini top with mildew stains Before

Canvas & Bimini Care

Bimini top cleaned, mildew neutralized, UV protector applied. Looks brand new.

Marine Detailing
Clean white bimini top after professional canvas cleaning After

Bright & Protected

Fabric re-waterproofed, colors revived. No more black mildew lines.

Marine Detailing
Trailer with salt buildup and road grime Before

Trailer Detail

Salt water exposure, road film, brake dust. TidalShine trailer wash and hardware detail.

Marine Detailing
Trailer after detail showing clean galvanized finish After

Corrosion Protected

Salt removed, bearings inspected, wiring checked. Ready for the next launch.

Marine Detailing

Service area

Serving the NC Coast

New Hanover County
Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach — on-water and dry storage service available.
★★★★★
Brunswick County
Southport, Oak Island, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash. Marina and residential dock service.
★★★★★
Pender County
Surf City, Hampstead, Topsail Beach. Residential dock service and marina locations.
★★★★★
Onslow County
Jacksonville, Swansboro, Emerald Isle. Marine facilities and boat storage locations.
★★★★★

Outside these counties? Contact us — we'll try to make it work.

Common questions

Frequently Asked

Do you come to my marina or dock?

Yes. That's the core of the service — we bring everything to your vessel. Whether it's at a marina slip, residential dock, dry stack storage, or trailer at your home, we come to the boat.

How often should I detail my boat?

Marine detail every spring before launch is the minimum. For boats kept in salt water year-round, a fall detail before winter storage and a spring detail before launch gives the best gel coat protection. Annual graphene reapplication maintains the coating.

What's the difference between gel coat correction and painting?

Gel coat correction is restoration — we're removing the oxidized layer to reveal the good gel coat underneath. Painting (bottom paint, topside paint) is a coating over gel coat. Most boats need correction, not painting. We only recommend painting when gel coat damage is too deep to correct.

Can you do boats that are still in the water?

Depends on the service. Hull compound and wax can be done on boats in the water for topsides above the waterline. Bottom work and wet sanding require the boat to be pulled. We'll assess and tell you upfront what's needed.

What's graphene coating and is it worth it?

Graphene oxide creates a harder, more chemically resistant barrier than ceramic alone — especially important for salt water environments. It's more expensive than ceramic, but for boats kept in salt water year-round, the durability advantage justifies the cost. We include an annual maintenance program to keep it performing.

Do you handle commercial fishing vessels?

Yes — we work with commercial vessels as well as recreational. Larger vessels may require scheduling around tides and dock access. Contact us with your vessel specs and we'll give you a timeline.

Get your boat ready for the water.

Fill out the quote form — we respond within 2 hours. No commitment until we confirm your vessel's condition and the right package.

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