Cost to wax boat?
 

I need some imput; I have a 382 Fastech, last time is was waxed and buffed with a machine was 2007, so there is some fade to the top deck, it just lost it's deep shine.
I got a quote from a guy who is experienced in boat detailing to do a three step process on the complete boat. Light compound on all the white, then the painted areas separately and then finally complete wax job. What would you expect to pay for this or what is the going rate per/ft?

18.50 per foot

$1,500-$1,700

You could probably get a kid at a marina yard to do it on the side for $200.

Yikes, I'm glad I don't live in your neck of the woods....I usually pay the guys down at the lake around $10.00 a foot for a complete "Wash & Wax" on mine....run's in the neighborhood of $350 to $400 depending on what else I have them do...

Wash and wax is a hole lot different than removing 4 year old chalk by compounding. IMO: Anything under $1,000 is probably going to get you a crappy job and that $1,500-1,700 estimate you should expect (and get) a great job.

Keep in mind that since it's been so long since it's been compounded that the "chalk" will come back pretty quickly compared to a new boat.



BTW: I took a wheel to mine twice a year. The top deck needed light compounding each time while the sides only got it once a year........It then got 2 coats of wax after that (twice a year).

The price quoted seems to be in the ball park to what most have suggested.

t500 what do you beleive needs to be done to restore the shine to last for a season or two?

If you don't have a full mooring cover get one. I buff and wax my 336 every spring and touch up the deck with Mothers once a month. The cover does its job.

YIt should be detailed annually. Get a full cover too.

Yep

I do have a full cover, always have. Last time I had it proffesionally done was in 2007 and the shine was amazing but at that time it did not cost me for that wax & buff job.

No wax in 4 years its going to need some work. I had to buff out a 23ft crownline and it took me 8hours. So Youll be in it for some cash. Your best bet is to wax it one or twice a year and avoid having to get it buffed.

In between waxes wipe it down with Aerospace 303. I tried turtle wax ICE recently and seems to work fine as well.

I just did my 25' Checkmate. I had 20 hours into it. I was going to have someone do it but they wanted $25 a foot. I thought that was very high. So I went and bought myself a buffer the compound, polish, and wax and did it myself. After you use the compound you will want to use a polish. The polish is absorbed into the gel and then the wax which is a top coat and protects. I did 2 coats of wax. Mine was very chalky and dull before but after some elbow grease she shined up nice

I get $28 a foot for performance boats and $35 a foot for cruisers. Done right it is an involved labor intensive process. A good pro job should include removing all the snaps and anything else that can come off without to much trouble. And, like LaVita said, its a three step process compound-polish-wax. Get references from anyone you use and dont bother with two hundred yard kids. Their great for a quick clean and shine but will not have the knowledge or equipment to maximize the finish on your boat. You should be in the $1000 to $1500 range

Not to dig you, i dont know the circumstances. But it amazes me how people dont take care of things for years. I see it up on the thousand islands. Expensive boats tied up in marinas faded to hell scratched up etc. I dont get it

Fountain4402 no offense taken and I get that and I see the same. I promise you that if you saw the condition of my boat you would wonder why I am even concerned about having it professionally buffed as it does not look bad to the average person. But as annual as I am about the maintenance & condition of my big boy toys I do have a higher expectation of how they are kept. Drives my wife crazy :)

If I do it for you...I charge you $550-$750

Chris

I missed using an OR on my PQ one season and I paid the price dearly. I had to wet sand my entire boat, took me 32hrs (2 weekends) and some major tired hands and arms. Do your due diligence and you won't have shell out $1k or more. I do mine twice a year, before and after the season begins and it looked great for a 12yr old boat. It's simple, pay now or pay later.