Frequently asked questions about yacht detailing in South Florida.

We provide a complete range of mobile yacht detailing services across South Florida: gelcoat restoration, marine paint correction, ceramic coatings, teak restoration, Strataglass and acrylic restoration, glass polishing, metal polishing and ongoing maintenance wash programs. We work on everything from center consoles to 100'+ superyachts at every major marina in the Tri-County region.

AC Detailing serves all of South Florida — Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties — covering every major marina from South Beach to Jupiter Inlet. Primary markets include Miami Beach Marina, Sunset Harbour, Bahia Mar, Pier 66, Las Olas Marina, Lauderdale Marine Center, Rybovich, Sailfish Marina and Old Port Cove. For larger projects we travel beyond the Tri-County region.

Three things: a senior-led crew (you get the same lead technician every visit, not whoever showed up that day), tier-1 marine-grade products only (no automotive shortcuts on yacht surfaces), and a measured, documented process — film-thickness readings before any cutting, photo documentation at every milestone and an in-person walkthrough before invoicing.

No. AC Detailing is a fully mobile yacht detailing service. We work directly at your slip, your private dock or your boatyard with our own equipment and supplies, including freshwater capacity when shore water isn't available or appropriate.

Yes. We scale crew size to the vessel — a single senior technician for sport boats and center consoles, dedicated teams for 80'+ yachts, and larger crews coordinated against deadlines for superyacht refits.

Yes. We carry full marine general liability insurance and are happy to provide a certificate of insurance to your marina, captain or management company on request.

Marine ceramic coating is a semi-permanent silica or quartz-based protective layer that bonds chemically to gelcoat, paint, metal or glass. Once cured it forms a hard, hydrophobic, UV-stable shell that fights salt, exhaust soot, oxidation and the chalking that defines South Florida boating. Properly applied marine ceramic coatings last 2–5 years and dramatically reduce maintenance wash time.

Our teak philosophy is chemistry-first, sanding-last. We strip old coatings chemically when possible, restore color with a two-part marine cleaner and brightener, hand-sand minimally and only when required, then apply the owner's choice of finish — oiled, sealed or hard-coated (Awlwood, Honey Teak). The minimum-removal approach preserves teak thickness for decades of future service.

It depends on slip exposure and protection level. A coated yacht with weekly freshwater rinses needs a major detail every 12–18 months. An uncoated yacht in full Miami sun may need a full polish twice a year. The most cost-effective answer is almost always a monthly or bi-weekly maintenance program on top of an initial correction-and-coating.

Yes. As long as the gelcoat has remaining thickness, our wet-sand, compound and polish system can recover deep gloss on hulls that look beyond saving. We measure film thickness before any wet-sanding so the gelcoat stays safe for the future. Heavily oxidized hulls typically need a full multi-stage correction followed by a ceramic seal to keep the result.

Strongly recommended. Paint correction removes defects permanently, but the corrected surface is unprotected. Without a ceramic, gloss begins to degrade within months in South Florida sun. A marine ceramic typically pays for itself within one season in protected gloss and easier washdowns.

Wax is a sacrificial layer that lasts weeks to a few months. Ceramic coating is a bonded, semi-permanent layer that lasts 2–5 years, is far more hydrophobic, and resists salt, UV and chemical etching at a level wax cannot approach. Coatings cost more up front but cost far less per year of protection.

Pricing is quoted per linear foot and depends on three things: vessel length, surface condition (a chalky 15-year-old hull takes more work than a freshly painted one), and the protection tier you choose (sealant, polymer or true ceramic coating). A full gelcoat restoration with ceramic typically starts in the mid hundreds per linear foot for sub-40' boats; superyacht packages are quoted custom. Every quote is free and itemized.

Three main factors: (1) the correction needed before coating — coating over defects locks them in, so prep level drives a lot of the cost; (2) the coating tier — 2-year polymer vs 5-year multi-layer ceramic; (3) vessel length and surface area. We give you tier options on every coating quote so you can choose the right price-to-protection point.

Yes. Every quote is free and itemized. For most jobs we do an on-board walkthrough, take photos and email you a written quote within 24 hours. Phone and text estimates are available for simple maintenance work.

No. Every quote is itemized — labor, products, coating tier and any extras like wet-sanding or teak caulk repair are called out by line. The number you approve is the number you pay, with one exception: if we discover something during the job that requires a scope change (failed caulk seams, hidden corrosion under fittings), we stop, photograph it, and get approval before any additional work.

Yes. Monthly and bi-weekly mobile maintenance washes are how the finest yachts in South Florida stay show-ready year-round. Maintenance plans are custom-built around slip exposure, use pattern and the protection on the boat. Coated yachts on maintenance plans cost dramatically less per year than uncoated yachts that need full polishes.

Yes — owners and management companies with two or more vessels get fleet pricing on detailing and maintenance programs. Contact us for a custom proposal.

Every job follows the same flow: (1) free on-board assessment with photos, (2) written itemized quote within 24 hours, (3) decontamination wash, (4) multi-stage correction matched to the surface, (5) panel-wipe and protective coating, (6) in-person quality-control walkthrough with the owner or captain before invoicing.

A full correction-and-coating package is typically 2–4 days for boats under 40', 4–7 days for 50–70' yachts, and 7–14 days for superyachts. Maintenance washes are completed in a single day. Exact timelines are confirmed when the quote is approved.

Crews arrive fully self-contained, set up dock-side, and begin work without owner involvement required. We send progress photos at major milestones. The vessel is fully cleaned, masked work is removed, and a final QC walkthrough is scheduled at your convenience before invoicing.

No. Most jobs are handled with the owner or captain present only at the initial walkthrough and the final QC. We coordinate slip access, freshwater hookups and dock-master communication ourselves.

The coating is touch-safe in a few hours and dry-cured in 24–48 hours. We typically recommend keeping the boat in slip for 48 hours with no washdowns or covers, then normal use can resume. Full chemical cure continues for about two weeks.

Most quotes go out the same day. New clients typically get on the calendar within the week for maintenance work, and within 1–2 weeks for full restorations. For urgent show, sea-trial or pre-charter prep, call 786-630-5204 directly and we'll work to fit you in.

Marine-grade only. Compounds and polishes from 3M, Menzerna and Awlcare/Awlgrip-approved lines. Ceramic coatings from IGL Marine, Gtechniq Marine and Glidecoat Pro. Strataglass care from Imar. Teak finishes from Snappy, Semco, Awlwood and Honey Teak. We do not use automotive products on yacht surfaces.

Marine-grade exclusively. Marine surfaces face UV, salt and chemical exposure that automotive products are not engineered for, and using car coatings on a yacht voids the boat manufacturer's surface warranties. Every product on our trucks is rated for marine use.

Yes. Our senior technicians are trained on marine-specific correction and coating systems, including IGL, Gtechniq and Glidecoat installer certifications, and operate with calibrated paint-thickness gauges on every paint job.

Yes when needed. We carry freshwater capacity and battery power for locations where shore service isn't available or appropriate. On most marina jobs we use shore water and power with the marina's permission.

Yes. We use random-orbital and dual-action machines with controlled speed and pad pressure, soft pads matched to substrate, and microfiber towels reserved by surface type to prevent cross-contamination between paint, metal and glass.

Yes — Fort Lauderdale is our home water and our highest-volume market. We work at Bahia Mar, Pier 66, Las Olas Marina, Lauderdale Marine Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Marina Bay, and the private New River and Las Olas Isles docks daily.

Yes. Our Miami crews service Miami Beach Marina, Sunset Harbour, Island Gardens, Dinner Key, Crandon Park and private docks across the Venetian Islands, Star Island, Indian Creek and Key Biscayne.

Yes. We service Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Jupiter and Tequesta — including Rybovich, Sailfish Marina, Old Port Cove, PGA Marina and Loggerhead.

Yes. We coordinate with dock masters across every marina we work at and provide certificates of insurance to marinas and management companies on request.

Broward (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano, Dania) gets daily service availability. Most quotes are scheduled within the week and emergency or pre-show requests are accommodated when possible.

Three habits keep a detail looking new: (1) a freshwater rinse after every use to flush salt before it can dry, (2) a weekly or bi-weekly hand wash with a pH-neutral marine soap, (3) an annual maintenance booster on coated surfaces. We provide a written aftercare plan with every job.

Properly maintained, marine ceramic coatings last 2–5 years depending on the tier installed, slip exposure and how well the maintenance schedule is followed. Annual booster applications keep the coating performing at full spec.

No. Wax and ceramic should not be layered — wax would actually reduce the hydrophobic performance of the ceramic. Instead, use a ceramic-safe maintenance spray or annual booster designed to top up the existing coating.

For sealed and hard-coated teak: rinse with fresh water after use, avoid harsh brushes, never use bleach, and follow the recoat schedule we provide (typically every 6–18 months for sealers, every 2–4 years for hard coatings).

Rinse and wipe within 24 hours if possible. On coated surfaces, almost all bird etching wipes away cleanly. On uncoated surfaces, bird droppings are acidic and can permanently etch gelcoat or paint within a day or two in Florida sun.

Yes. AC Detailing LLC operates under full marine general liability insurance. We are happy to send a certificate of insurance to your marina, captain, broker or management company before the first job.

AC Detailing was founded in 2022 and is led by technicians with deep marine surface experience across South Florida marinas. Our senior leads carry coating installer certifications and have worked across the full range of vessels from sport-fish to superyachts.

Senior-led crews, marine-grade products only, measured and documented process, transparent pricing, and a written aftercare plan with every job. We are the team that shows up when your captain or broker says 'the finish on this boat has to be right.'

Yes. We can share before/after photos and connect you with captains and owners we work with regularly. We are currently building out our Google Business Profile with verified owner reviews from completed projects.

Yes. We do not invoice until the owner or captain has walked the finished vessel and signed off. Coating jobs carry the product manufacturer's warranty (typically 2–5 years) provided annual booster maintenance is followed.