How Much Would You Pay For Cosmetic Maintenance?

[d_rehmann]

They sound a bit high. I get my 32 express professionally done in the spring for $650. They send 4 guys and all the tools and materials and do a bang up job.

Sometimes I will get a spruce up by the 20 something guys in the neighborhood. I pay 'em $20 an hour and supply the materials

When I started doing some calculator work, I came up with $13-$14 a foot (in and outside). I don't think I would want to charge hourly because it is just me and the hours would be plenty. Of course if they have a second station or if they have a big __'er it may go up an extra buck or two.

[offshore]

I Just pulled mine and it took two days to detail the boat with 2 coats of Collonite Fleetwax. Over the years I have tried all the waxes but the fleet wax lasts much longer than any of the others. I cleaned everything from the bilge to the inside of the CC. I would have paid $500 to have it done....Lots of work and elbow grease...Mark

[d_rehmann]

I Just pulled mine and it took two days to detail the boat with 2 coats of Collonite Fleetwax. Over the years I have tried all the waxes but the fleet wax lasts much longer than any of the others. I cleaned everything from the bilge to the inside of the CC. I would have paid $500 to have it done....Lots of work and elbow grease...Mark

Mark,

What kind of boat do you have if you dont mind me asking.

Thanks, Dennis

[N2theBlue]

What exactly did that include?

washing, getting all the stains off (had to both wet sand and use stronger cleaners such as barkeepers friend), waxing all smooth surfaces inside and out, aluma guard on all the metal, waxing the outboard cowling.

I waxed it last year and it took me a day at least. I didn't mind paying at all.

[mozza]

Colonites fleetwax and awlcare can be slow buffed onto alwgrip paint. a 60:40 mix of colonites metal polish and insulator wax is great for any metal too.

Coming from someone who cleans big big boats for a living.

3m make a great non skid cleaner too

[marine4003]

did it for a living a while back..we charged $20 a foot,25 for tower boats,this included..wash..Trewax finish..eisen glass..stainless & aluminum..wash& dry varnish.Inside was extra,some owners are slobs, some anal..inside included ..flush bilge,clean all surfaces..detail vaccume..glass.You can make a good living doing boats,and you can lose your ass,buy good equipment,can the walmart buffer.buy a Milwaukee,w/3M stick it pads,there are ones for applying compounds,and ones for removing,use great compound,not 3M..3M is petroleum based which removes essential oils,use meguires..for wax use collinite or treswax. If you want happy,repeat customers..wash..compound, polish then wax..no swirl marks.when your done..wash boat again..this "tightens up" the wax, removes any residual compound dust,and really brings out the shine.Be absolutely certain she's the best in the marina when your done,99% of owners will give away there wife before they slack on there boats,and expect you to feel the same..good luck Amigo.

[katman]

I'm close to Sunset in a private marina. A few of my neighbors have someone come by once a week to wash their boats--seasonal price is $55/week for 28' boat. A good spring detail @ $25/foot is not a bad deal for the owner. One person will be bustin butt to do a good job in one day. I like collonite--goes on thin and comes off easy. Lasts longer than most. 3m bought meguires about a year ago and is expanding the marine line. The gold is a good wax. Unless you know what you are doing, stay away from a rotary machine. get a good dual action like a porter cable (7424 or 7436). get several grades of foam pads.

[gameover]

check out james town distributers for 3m product,

throw the walmart rig in the trash... get a good dewalt off amazon.

3m is pricey and serious stuff, but great....

[offshore]

Mark,

What kind of boat do you have if you dont mind me asking.

Thanks, Dennis

Dennis sorry for the late reply...I have a 25 Contender...Mark