Services→Marine & Aviation

By Arrangement · Price on Application

Marine & Aviation Detailing

Boat valeting, interior and topside cleaning and gelcoat polishing across Poole Harbour and the Dorset coast — plus aircraft enquiries by arrangement.

Enquire Now Call 07739 899 879

Boats and aircraft are quoted individually rather than from a price list. Size, surface condition and access change the work involved enormously, so we look at the vessel first and give you a written quote before anything begins. Every job is taken on by arrangement — there's no online booking for marine or aviation work.

Marine

Boat Valeting & Gelcoat Polishing

Poole Harbour, Sandbanks, Lilliput, Christchurch and the wider Dorset coast.

Salt, UV and standing water are punishing on a boat. Salt crystallises into every seam and fitting, sunlight bleaches and degrades the gelcoat, and damp gets into upholstery and headlining the moment a cover goes on wet. A vessel that's cleaned properly and protected doesn't just look better — it holds its condition and its value.

We cover topside and interior work: deep washing, cabin and cockpit valeting, upholstery, canvas and headlining, stainless polishing, and machine polishing to remove gelcoat oxidation.

Cross-section of boat gelcoat before and after machine polishing UV breaks down the surface of gelcoat into a porous, chalky oxidised layer that scatters light and looks faded. Machine compounding removes that degraded layer to reach sound gelcoat underneath, so the surface reflects light again and the colour returns. OXIDISED UV HAS BROKEN DOWN THE SURFACE LIGHT SCATTERS SOUND GELCOAT GRP LAMINATE CHALKY · FADED · POROUS POLISHED OXIDISED LAYER REMOVED COLOUR & GLOSS RETURN REMOVED DEEP GLOSS RESTORED

Oxidation is a surface problem, not a paint problem. Sunlight breaks down the top few microns of gelcoat into a chalky, porous layer that scatters light — which is why an older hull looks faded and feels dusty to the touch. Machine compounding removes that degraded layer to reach sound gelcoat underneath. It's the same principle as paint correction on a car, with marine-specific compounds and pads.

Scope

What We Cover

What we do

  • Deep wash — decks, superstructure, cockpit and transom
  • Interior valeting — cabin, upholstery, headlining and canvas
  • Stainless steel and brightwork polished
  • Gelcoat machine polishing and oxidation removal
  • Salt residue removed from seams, fittings and rails

What we don't

  • Antifouling or any below-waterline work
  • Osmosis treatment or hull repair
  • Teak deck sanding or caulking
  • Gelcoat that has failed, crazed or worn through
  • Engine, rigging or mechanical servicing

Anything below the waterline or structural is a boatyard job — we'll say so and point you in the right direction rather than take work we shouldn't.

Aviation

Aircraft Detailing Enquiries

By arrangement, subject to airfield access and product requirements.

We take aircraft enquiries across Dorset and the south coast. The most common requests are cabin interiors — leather, carpets and trim brought back to a presentable standard — and exterior cleaning, typically a dry or waterless wash where an airfield restricts run-off.

Aircraft work is always agreed in advance rather than booked online. Access, permitted products and where the work can be carried out are set by the airfield or operator, so those get confirmed before a quote is issued. If you have an aircraft you'd like looked after, get in touch with the type and where it's based and we'll take it from there.

How It Works

From Enquiry to Quote

1

Tell us what you have

Vessel or aircraft type, roughly what you're after, and where it's kept. A few photos help enormously, particularly of any fading or staining.

2

We take a look

For most jobs we'll want to see it in person. Surface condition is very hard to judge from photographs alone, and it's the single biggest factor in how long the work takes.

3

Written quote

You get a clear scope and a fixed price before anything starts. If we think part of the job belongs with a boatyard or a specialist, we'll tell you that too.

4

Scheduled and carried out

Work is booked in around access and weather. Marine and aviation jobs get a dedicated slot rather than being squeezed between car bookings.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does boat detailing cost?
Every vessel is quoted individually — price on application. Size, surface condition, how much oxidation is present and access to the vessel all change the amount of work involved, so a flat price list would be meaningless. We inspect first, then give you a written quote before anything starts.
What is gelcoat oxidation?
Gelcoat is the pigmented outer skin of a GRP hull or superstructure. UV gradually breaks down its surface into a chalky, porous layer that looks faded and feels dusty. It isn't dirt and it won't wash off — the degraded layer has to be machine compounded away to reach sound gelcoat underneath.
Can faded gelcoat really be restored?
In most cases yes, provided the gelcoat is sound and thick enough. Compounding removes the oxidised surface and brings back colour and gloss. Where gelcoat has been worn through, is crazed, or has failed, that becomes a specialist refinishing job rather than a polishing one — we'll tell you which you're looking at when we inspect.
Where do you work on boats?
Around Poole Harbour and the Dorset coast — marina berths, hard standing or a driveway if the boat is on a trailer. We need safe access to the vessel and, for most work, mains power and water on site. Tell us where she's kept when you enquire.
Do you do antifouling or below-waterline work?
No. We cover topside and interior work — washing, valeting, and gelcoat polishing above the waterline. Antifouling, hull treatment below the waterline and osmosis work are specialist yard jobs and we'd point you to a boatyard for those.
Do you clean aircraft as well?
We take aircraft enquiries by arrangement. Cabin interiors and exterior cleaning are the most common requests. Aircraft work depends on the airfield's access and product requirements, so it's always discussed and agreed in advance rather than booked online.
How do I get a quote?
Get in touch with the vessel or aircraft type, roughly what you're after, and where it's kept. We'll arrange to look at it, then send a written quote. Nothing is charged until you've agreed the scope and price.

Get a Quote

Tell us the vessel or aircraft type and where it's kept, and we'll take it from there.

Enquire Now → Call 07739 899 879
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