Professional Boat Detailing at Your Marina, Pontoon or Home
In The Clear Auto Marine provides professional boat detailing for boat, yacht and cruiser owners across South East Queensland. We do the work on-site at your marina berth, private pontoon or home. Salt, sun and marine grime work on a vessel’s finish every day it sits on the water. A routine wash won’t stop the chalky oxidation, water spotting and staining that follow. We restore the surface, remove the contamination and protect it with marine-specific products, so your boat looks right and is easier to keep that way. We service Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
What Our Boat Detailing Includes
Proper marine detailing is more than a clean. Every vessel is quoted on its actual condition. Depending on what we find, the work can include:
- Hull and topsides wash and decontamination to remove salt crust, scum lines, exhaust residue, bird droppings and fish residue
- Oxidation removal and cut and polish to bring faded gel coat back to a clear, reflective finish
- Boat paint correction on painted hulls and surfaces
- Water spot and mineral deposit removal from gel coat and glass
- Metal polishing for stainless rails, fittings and hardware
- Glass polishing
- Teak cleaning and restoration
- Surface protection, including marine ceramic coating
We’ll tell you what your vessel needs and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t.
Why Boats Need Marine-Specific Detailing
A boat lives in a far harsher environment than a car. Saltwater dries into crystals that dull the finish and leave stubborn spots. Queensland UV breaks down the gel coat over time, which shows up as oxidation: the white, chalky film that rubs off on your hand. Bird droppings and fish residue can stain if left sitting, exhaust soot builds up at the transom, and hard-water mineral deposits etch into glass and fibreglass surfaces. Stainless fittings aren’t immune either, with surface corrosion and tea staining appearing surprisingly quickly.
That’s why we only use marine-specific products. Our main range is Starke Yacht Care, imported from Florida in the US. We chose it for its technology and continued development in the marine industry. Automotive products simply aren’t formulated for marine finishes or constant salt exposure.
Our Boat Detailing Process
- On-Site Inspection and Quote
We start with a free, no-obligation inspection at your vessel. We check the paint and gel coat condition, the level of oxidation, staining, metalwork, glass and teak. Then we give you a tailored quote with clear recommendations.
- Wash and Decontamination
The vessel is washed with marine-safe products to lift salt, scum, exhaust residue and bonded contaminants. Water spots and mineral deposits are treated so we’re working on a genuinely clean surface before any polishing begins.
- Correction and Polishing
Where the gel coat is oxidised or dull, we cut and polish to restore clarity and colour. Cutting removes a thin layer of gel coat, so we only go as far as the surface needs. Metalwork and glass are polished at this stage too.
- Protection
Once the surface is corrected, we apply protection to help it resist UV, salt and grime. For longer-term results, we offer marine ceramic coating. We’re accredited in System X and Starke Yacht Surface Technologies application. A coating can be built up in layers over the years instead of repeatedly cutting back the surface.
- Final Check and Maintenance Advice
We finish with a walk-around of the vessel and recommend a maintenance plan suited to how and where you use your boat.
Not sure what your boat needs? Book a free on-site inspection and we’ll give you an honest assessment.
Benefits of Professional Boat Detailing
A Finish That Looks Cared For
Removing oxidation and staining brings back colour and depth, so your vessel looks the way it should at the berth and on the water.
Better Protection for Gel Coat and Metalwork
Protective products and coatings help reduce the impact of UV, salt, bird droppings and mineral deposits, so the finish lasts longer.
Easier Washdowns Between Details
A clean, protected surface doesn’t hold onto grime the way an oxidised one does. Fish residue and scum come off more easily, which keeps routine boat cleaning quicker.
No Trailering, No Lost Weekends
Our service is fully mobile. We come to your marina, home or private pontoon, so you don’t have to move the boat or give up your time.
Why Boat Owners Choose In The Clear Auto Marine
- Accredited in System X and Starke Yacht Surface Technologies application
- Marine-specific products only, with Starke Yacht Care as our main range
- Preferred service provider for marinas across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast
- Fully insured, with the correct tickets and licences to work at marinas
- Experience in both marine and automotive detailing across a wide range of surfaces
- Honest advice and no upselling of services you don’t need
- Ongoing care through maintenance visits and yearly coating check-ups
Marine businesses at the RQYS marina in Manly have worked alongside our team on numerous projects. That long-term trust is how we prefer to work with every client.
Areas We Service
We provide mobile boat detailing at marinas throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. We also work at homes, offices and private pontoons across South East Queensland. For home pontoons, we just need good access, with power and water available on site.
Boat Detailing FAQs
How often should my boat be detailed?
We recommend at least one full detail a year, with maintenance visits every quarter. Boats kept in the water year-round or used heavily may need more regular attention. We’ll suggest a schedule based on how your vessel is used and stored.
How long does a boat detail take?
It depends on the size of the vessel, its condition and the work involved. A maintenance detail is much quicker than a full cut and polish on a heavily oxidised hull, and ceramic coating needs extra preparation time. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe when we inspect the boat and prepare your quote.
Can you detail my boat at the marina?
Yes. We regularly carry out marine detailing at marinas and are fully insured, with the correct tickets and licences in place. We can also work at your home or private pontoon, provided there is good access, with power and water available.
What do I need to do before you arrive?
Very little. We just ask that personal items, tenders and boards are removed from the vessel. That lets our team move around safely and reach every surface that needs attention.
What’s the difference between detailing, cut and polish and ceramic coating?
Detailing covers the full clean, decontamination and finishing of your vessel. Cut and polish is a correction step that removes oxidation by taking off a thin layer of gel coat. Ceramic coating is protection applied after the surface is prepared. In later years it can be topped up with a light polish instead of repeated cutting.
How long does a marine ceramic coating last?
On a new boat, an average installation lasts around six to seven years. Annual inspections and top-ups are essential to reach that lifespan, so yearly coating check-ups are part of our ongoing care.
Get a Boat Detailing Quote
Whether your boat needs a full restoration or a regular maintenance detail, our team is ready to help. Book a free on-site inspection and we’ll assess your vessel, explain your options and provide a tailored quote. Call us on 0425 245 683 or email bookit@itcautomarine.com.au. We respond within 24 hours.