Boat Detailing · Santa Rosa Beach, 30A & Destin
Salt is relentless.
So are we.
From the bay boats of Hogtown Bayou to the center consoles of Destin harbor, Gulf salt and sun work on gelcoat every single day. Whitlow Detailing restores and protects boats where they sit — dock, lift, storage yard, or driveway — with water and power on board.
Marine Work, Done Properly
Gelcoat isn't paint.
We treat it that way.
Boats on the Emerald Coast fight a harder battle than any car: immersion in salt water, spray on every surface, and UV hitting twice — once from the sky and again off the water. Unprotected gelcoat chalks in a season or two. The white hull goes flat, colors fade, and metal fittings start tea-staining down the sides.
The good news: gelcoat is thick and forgiving, and nearly any hull can be brought back. We wash with marine-safe soaps, strip the waterline scum and exhaust staining, machine-compound the oxidation out of the gelcoat, and seal it — with marine wax for the season or a marine ceramic coating for years. Non-skid decks, upholstery, livewells, and stainless all get their own correct treatment.
Fully self-contained matters most on the water. Storage yards and docks rarely have a spigot where you need one. We bring water, power, and every product — the boat gets detailed wherever it lives.
Boat Detailing Pricing
- Wash & WaxFull wash, waterline, marine waxFrom $15/ft
- Oxidation Removal & PolishMachine compound + sealFrom $30/ft
- Marine Ceramic CoatingMulti-season protectionBy quote
- Standing Wash ScheduleMonthly or after-trip serviceBy quote
Quoted by length and condition — text photos and footage to 850.465.6579. Slip, lift, trailer, and dry storage all serviceable.
What We Service
If it floats near 30A,
we detail it.
Bay & flats boats
The Hogtown Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay fleet — trailer or lift kept, usually fighting waterline scum and deck grime more than oxidation.
Center consoles
Destin and Grayton's Gulf runners take the full salt-and-sun beating. Hull compounding, bright-work polish, and ceramic protection earn their keep here.
Pontoons & deck boats
Rental-grade workhorses and family cruisers: aluminum brightening, vinyl deep-cleaning and UV protection, and fence-panel polishing.
Personal watercraft
Jet skis live wet and stored in the sun. A seasonal polish and seal keeps hulls bright — and a coated hull rinses clean in minutes at the ramp.
FAQ
Boat detailing,
answered.
Do you come to the boat, or do I bring it to you?
We come to the boat — on its trailer at your home, in a storage yard, or in its slip where dock rules allow washing. Water and power come with us, which matters in yards and dry storage where hookups are scarce. For slip work, we confirm the marina’s wash policy first.
How much does boat detailing cost around 30A and Destin?
Wash-and-wax service starts around $15 per foot; oxidation removal and machine polishing starts around $30 per foot and is quoted after seeing the gelcoat, since a lightly chalked hull and a decade of neglect are very different jobs. Text photos and the boat’s length to 850.465.6579 for a same-day quote.
My gelcoat is chalky and dull — is it too far gone?
Almost never. Chalky gelcoat is oxidation — dead material on the surface — and machine compounding removes it and brings the color and gloss back. Gelcoat is much thicker than automotive clear coat, so even heavily oxidized hulls usually restore beautifully. The key is sealing it afterward, or the Gulf sun starts the clock again immediately.
Can you ceramic coat a boat?
Yes — marine ceramic coatings bond to gelcoat exactly as automotive coatings bond to clear coat, and the case for them is even stronger on the water: salt exposure is constant and UV is doubled by reflection. A coated hull rinses clean at the ramp instead of needing a scrub, and the deep gloss survives the season. Coating is quoted after correction, same as our cars.
How often should a boat in salt water be detailed?
A boat that sees Gulf water should be rinsed after every trip, washed properly at least monthly, and protected (wax or ceramic) at minimum twice a year. We offer standing wash schedules for boats in slips and dry storage — set it once and the boat is simply always ready.
Book Your Detail
Your driveway.
Our standard.
Call or text with your vehicle, its condition, and your location. You'll get a straight answer on price and the next available slot.