Oxidation Removal and Restoration
Bring faded gelcoat back to a real shine.
Chalky, faded gelcoat is oxidation: the surface has broken down under sun and weather. Most of the time, it can be cut back and polished until the color and gloss return.
How far we can take it depends on how much gelcoat is left. Light oxidation may need one polishing step. Heavy oxidation can mean compounding, wet sanding, and several stages. We'll tell you what we see before we start.
Pricing at a glance
- Restore and protect (light oxidation)
- from $30/ft
- Heavy oxidation / wet sanding
- custom quote
- Jet ski heavy-oxidation buff
- from $75 (quote)
Starting points. Your estimate confirms the final price.
What's included
Oxidation removal
Dead, chalky gelcoat cut away to expose healthy surface underneath. On light oxidation we start with a test spot to confirm the result before correcting the rest.
Request this serviceCompounding and polishing
Compound to remove oxidation and defects, then polish to refine the finish.
Request this serviceWet sanding when appropriate
Used on deeper defects and heavy oxidation, followed by compounding and polishing. Not every boat needs it.
Request this serviceFaded gelcoat restoration
Color and depth restored on hulls, decks, and cap that have faded under the sun.
Request this serviceMulti-stage correction
Several cutting and polishing steps for boats that need more than a single pass.
Request this serviceGloss restoration
Final polish and protection to bring back gloss, finished with wax or a coating if you want one.
Request this service
Good to know
Heavy oxidation
Many heavily oxidized boats can be restored, but not all. Thin gelcoat limits how much can be removed. Photos help us give you a realistic expectation before the visit.
Plan on a bigger job
Restoration takes more time than a standard detail. We'll talk through scope and access when you request an estimate.
$175 minimum visit. Light oxidation starts with a test spot and one-stage correction. Heavy oxidation and wet sanding are quoted separately.
Common questions
Can you remove heavy oxidation?
Often, yes. It depends on how much gelcoat remains. We'll look at photos first and confirm on-site, and we'll tell you before starting if a boat can't be fully restored by polishing.
What is wet sanding?
A finer abrasive step that levels deeper defects before compounding and polishing. We use it when it's appropriate, not on every job.
Get your estimate
Tell us about your boat and what it needs. Add photos if you can, and we'll take it from there.
Serving Central and North Alabama. Travel availability and any applicable travel fees are confirmed with your estimate.