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Chalky hulls brought back to gloss
Oxidation removal, compounding and polishing, ceramic coating, and bottom painting. This is the work that makes a fifteen year old boat look a decade younger from the dock.
The service
What hull work covers
A faded hull is the single thing that ages a boat most from a distance. The good news is that chalking is a surface problem. Under the dull layer the gel coat is usually still bright, and getting to it is a matter of cutting the oxidation back and then protecting what is underneath.
The hand test
Run a dry hand along the hull side. If it comes away with a chalky white residue, that is oxidation, and it will almost certainly come back.
How it runs
Cut, refine, protect
Skipping the middle stage is the most common shortcut in this trade, and it is why some boats look great for a month and dull again by August.
Haul or float
Hull sides can be done in the slip. Anything at or below the waterline needs the boat hauled, blocked, or on the trailer.
Wash and strip
Salt, scum, and old failing wax off the hull so the compound is cutting gel coat and not residue.
Compound
The cutting stage. Oxidised surface layer removed and the true colour underneath brought back.
Polish and protect
Refined to gloss, then sealed with wax or a ceramic coating so it does not chalk straight back over.
Questions
Hull and gel coat FAQ
What causes a hull to go chalky?
Sunlight, salt, and time. UV breaks down the resin at the surface of the gel coat and leaves behind a loose, chalky layer of pigment. Wipe a faded hull with your hand and the residue that comes off is oxidation.
Can oxidation always be removed?
Light and moderate oxidation almost always comes out and the gloss comes back sharp. Severe cases where the gel coat has been eaten down toward the pigment layer improve a great deal but may not come all the way back to a mirror. We will tell you which one you are looking at before any work starts.
Do you paint bottoms?
Yes. Bottom painting is done with the boat hauled out and blocked, or on the trailer. The prep matters more than the paint, so the old surface is properly cleaned and scuffed before anything new goes on.
Is a ceramic coating worth it on a hull?
If you want to stop redoing the same work every season, yes. A coating gives a harder, slicker surface than wax, holds its gloss far longer, sheds dirt and waterline scum more easily, and makes routine wash downs quicker. It costs more up front and saves labour over the seasons that follow.
Also available
Other services
Request a quote
Tell us about the boat
Every boat is priced by the foot, so the quote depends on length, condition, and what the finish needs. Send a few photos with your request and you will get a real number back, not a guess.
- Call or text (856) 357-1892
- Email calltrident@gmail.com
- Based in Swedesboro, New Jersey
- We come to the boat Slip, lift, trailer, or yard