Price to buff, wax, polish, entire Sea Ray 380??

[JVM225]

Question, what machines/brand do you use or recommend. I’m following your wisdom to the LETTER!!

I use a Makita 9227 rotary with wool pads.
It’s a workhorse, and along with Dewalt’s rotary machine, a top choice for professional detailers and body shops.
Most detailers and body shops will use one or the other.
If you go for either machine, you will have it for many years.
If you choose to go for a much cheaper machine, I’ve heard many on these forums mention their satisfaction with a Harbor Freight rotary. I’ve got no personal experience with that machine, but it might be worth a shot if you are looking to keep initial costs down.
I personally don’t use a random orbital machine on boats. Others say they are happy with them for some situations.
I do swear by them, along with foam pads, for cars though. Mine is a Flex 3401. Again, a pricey option that many may not be able to justify.
I’m kind of a serious hobbyist and do a few boats and several cars a year so it made sense for me. I’ve owned it for about 15 years and it has always served me well.
A cheaper, and absolutely fine alternative for most people, is a Porter Cable 7424.
I used one for a long time before getting my Flex 3401 many years ago, and it is still a great little machine.
Lots of boutique brands sell their version of the Porter Cable machine. It’s basically the same machine in different colors and labels.

 

[Haden]

Well, here is what I picked up today. The other items should be here this afternoon or tomorrow.

 

[nealtrombley]

If all goes well and we end up with this 410 we are in contract with I plan on doing SG ceramic coating on the hull
It’s more of an industrial ceramic then automotive it’s being used pretty heavily in the marine industry
Cost would be around 3200 is my guess

 

[Haden]

If all goes well and we end up with this 410 we are in contract with I plan on doing SG ceramic coating on the hull
It’s more of an industrial ceramic then automotive it’s being used pretty heavily in the marine industry
Cost would be around 3200 is my guess

That is very nice!!!! I personally would pay the price if someone could promise those results. I truly wish I could find someone in my area.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I just got my first case of sticker shock with an estimate to detail my 450EB. $1,900 to wash, buff and wax, clean the stainless and clean the upholstery. Another $580 to wash and polish the eisenglass. And finally $249 to remove the decal residue from the transom. With tax the total costs estimate was $2,751.41. Is it me, or does $344 an hour (assuming this is an eight hour job) seem a bit excessive?

 

[Blueone]

I just got my first case of sticker shock with an estimate to detail my 450EB. $1,900 to wash, buff and wax, clean the stainless and clean the upholstery. Another $580 to wash and polish the eisenglass. And finally $249 to remove the decal residue from the transom. With tax the total costs estimate was $2,751.41. Is it me, or does $344 an hour (assuming this is an eight hour job) seem a bit excessive?

For you I would think two guys two days easy....the price seems in line with a good guy

 

[firecadet613]

I just got my first case of sticker shock with an estimate to detail my 450EB. $1,900 to wash, buff and wax, clean the stainless and clean the upholstery. Another $580 to wash and polish the eisenglass. And finally $249 to remove the decal residue from the transom. With tax the total costs estimate was $2,751.41. Is it me, or does $344 an hour (assuming this is an eight hour job) seem a bit excessive?

No way one guy could do that in 8 hours!

 

[Shoyrtt]

For you I would think two guys two days easy....the price seems in line with a good guy

I was told one guy and eight hours. I might have been given the "out of towner" price, as I just wanted it detailed prior to relocating the boat next week.

 

[Blueone]

I was told one guy and eight hours. I might have been given the "out of towner" price, as I just wanted it detailed prior to relocating the boat next week.

Ya like fire said.... no way one guy could do that in 8 hours.... my boat the company that did it was the owner and the helper two days to compound polish and wax... clean stainless... $1,700

 

[TTG]

Yeah something doesn’t seem right on that quote. In my area the going rate is $35 per foot for wash, buff/wax exterior only. No canvas cleaning. I’ve used the company in my area and they are good and worth it. No way all the above could be done with one guy in 8 hours for that size boat....at least not the results you’d want to pay for.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I thought 8 hours was also a bit optimistic. My 22 year old son and I washed it last weekend for the first time and it was an all day and then some affair. I ended up hiring the detailer to just address the transom and I ordered the Marine 31 eisenglass care kit today. https://www.marine31.com/boat-eisenglass-care-kit.html I'll find a reputable company to handle the rest of it once the boat is relocated.

 

[brewster16]

My 44 DA is $1500.00 to wash, compound/polish then wax hull side and topside, cockpit, bright work. BTW this is all done when boat is hauled and blocked. ($500.00 to haul, block and re-launch) 2 guys over several days....

 

[M Prod]

8 hours is a pipe dream for all of that. For me to do just the hull below the rub rail on my 340 (buff, polish, wax) is a 2 day 20 hour process. And I think I move pretty fast! Maybe they can do it, but the results won't be worth $2800

 

[No Direction]

I spent 8 hours on the back half of my 370 today, compound only. Have not touched the bow or bridge yet. I did have to go over it several times do to lack of maintenance from previous owner just to get the luster back. I am using Presta super cut and a TCP buffer at 1800 rpm, very happy with the results so far. Polish and wax should go faster. Hoping to finish in 3 days.

 

[JVM225]

I just got my first case of sticker shock with an estimate to detail my 450EB. $1,900 to wash, buff and wax, clean the stainless and clean the upholstery. Another $580 to wash and polish the eisenglass. And finally $249 to remove the decal residue from the transom. With tax the total costs estimate was $2,751.41. Is it me, or does $344 an hour (assuming this is an eight hour job) seem a bit excessive?

That seems like a good overall price for a job like that.

 

[JVM225]

8 hours is a pipe dream for all of that. For me to do just the hull below the rub rail on my 340 (buff, polish, wax) is a 2 day 20 hour process. And I think I move pretty fast! Maybe they can do it, but the results won't be worth $2800

Mine takes even longer.

 

[Chris-380]

That seems like a good overall price for a job like that.

I agree, if done right, thats a fair price imo, and i am thinking on my 380... LOL

 

[mrsrobinson]

I paid $850 to have the entire hull/topside washed, compounded and waxed. Took him 2 days, with the boat in the water.

 

[douglee25]

I paid $850 to have the entire hull/topside washed, compounded and waxed. Took him 2 days, with the boat in the water.

That's cheap.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Agreed, he did a nice job as well