Has your boat lost its shine, leaving you frustrated with a dull, chalky hull that never looks clean, no matter how much you wash it? You’re experiencing oxidation—an extremely common issue for boat owners here in Jacksonville, FL. Oxidation not only diminishes your boat’s visual appeal but can also significantly reduce its value and longevity.
At Moran’s Performance Detailing, we specialize in professional boat oxidation removal, restoring your vessel’s gel coat and fiberglass surfaces to their original, vibrant condition. Whether your boat is slightly faded or severely oxidized, our highly trained detailing team employs proven techniques—such as polishing, compounding, and wet sanding—to expertly bring back the gloss and protection your boat deserves.
Our fully-equipped mobile detailing units come directly to your location for ultimate convenience, or you can choose to have your boat restored in our state-of-the-art detailing warehouse. Whichever you prefer, you’ll experience unmatched results and customer care.
Boat oxidation is a natural chemical reaction that occurs when your boat’s gel coat or fiberglass is repeatedly exposed to oxygen, UV rays, saltwater, and air pollutants. Over time, these elements break down the outer layer of the gel coat, causing it to fade, chalk, and lose its smooth, glossy finish.
Oxidation is inevitable without proper protection and maintenance, especially in Florida’s harsh marine climate. Common causes include:
UV Sunlight:
Prolonged sun exposure breaks down the gel coat and accelerates surface degradation.
Saltwater & Humidity:
Salt and moisture penetrate unprotected surfaces, speeding up oxidation and dulling your finish.
Neglected Maintenance:
Without regular waxing or sealing, the gel coat becomes vulnerable to the elements.
Environmental Exposure:
Rain, dirt, and airborne contaminants can all contribute to wear and tear.
Wondering if your boat is oxidized? Common signs include:
A chalky, white residue on the hull
Faded or cloudy appearance—especially in colored areas
Dull or rough texture when you run your hand over the surface
A noticeable loss of depth or shine—even after washing
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, your gel coat is likely oxidized and in need of correction.
Letting oxidation go unchecked doesn’t just make your boat look bad—it can also cause long-term damage that becomes harder and more expensive to fix.
Here’s why timely oxidation removal is so important:
Degrades the Protective Gel Coat
The gel coat isn’t just for looks—it protects the fiberglass underneath from water intrusion, UV damage, and wear. As oxidation breaks it down, your boat becomes more vulnerable to deeper surface damage and even structural issues.
Reduces Resale and Trade-In Value
A chalky, faded hull gives the impression of neglect, turning off potential buyers and drastically lowering your boat’s market value. Restoring the shine now helps protect your investment over time.
Makes Future Repairs More Expensive
Light oxidation can often be removed with polishing or compounding. But when ignored, it usually progresses to the point where wet sanding or even re-gelcoating is required—both of which are more labor-intensive and costly.
Harder to Clean and Maintain
Oxidized surfaces don’t just look dull—they also hold onto dirt, grime, and salt. That means even after washing, your boat still won’t look clean unless the oxidation is properly corrected.
If you’re starting to notice signs of oxidation, don’t wait for it to get worse. In the next section, we’ll walk you through exactly how we remove it—and what sets our process apart.
Oxidation removal isn’t always a one-step process. In some cases—when oxidation is mild—a simple polish may be all that’s needed. But as oxidation becomes more severe, restoring your gel coat properly requires a multi-step process that may include compounding and even wet sanding.
Each step builds on the one before it. The more aggressive the correction, the more refinement is needed to restore a smooth, glossy finish. That’s why both compounding and wet sanding are always followed by polishing—to remove haze or sanding marks and reveal a clean, high-gloss result.
Polishing is the least aggressive method and is used when the gel coat is only slightly oxidized. We use a fine marine-grade polish with a machine polisher to lightly remove surface oxidation and restore gloss and clarity.
If caught early, polishing may be the only step required.
When oxidation runs deeper into the gel coat, polishing alone won’t cut it. That’s when we turn to compounding—a more aggressive correction step designed to cut through heavy oxidation and surface defects.
Compounding removes oxidation and deeper imperfections effectively, but it may leave the surface hazy or swirled under direct light due to the more aggressive abrasives used. That’s why the polishing step afterward is so important. With its milder abrasives, polishing removes the hazing left behind and leaves your boat with a smooth, brilliant shine.
Compounding uses aggressive abrasives to correct moderate oxidation and remove defects, but it doesn’t leave a perfect finish. The compounding step can leave micro-marring and haziness in the gel coat, especially under direct light. That’s why we always follow it with a polishing step—to refine the surface and bring out the final gloss.
Step 1: Compound – remove oxidation and imperfections
Step 2: Polish – refine the finish and restore gloss
For boats with severe oxidation—when the gel coat feels rough, chalky, or looks heavily faded—wet sanding is often the only way to bring it back. This technique uses ultra-fine sandpaper and water to safely level the damaged gel coat and remove the worst oxidation.
Like compounding, wet sanding is only part of the process. It always requires follow-up steps to restore the finish. After sanding, we compound the surface to remove sanding marks, then polish it to a high-gloss finish.
Wet sanding removes heavy oxidation but leaves visible sanding marks in the surface. Compounding is required to remove those sanding marks, and polishing is the final step to refine and perfect the surface for a deep, high-gloss finish.
Step 1: Wet Sand – remove heavy oxidation
Step 2: Compound – remove sanding marks and refine the surface
Step 3: Polish – bring out the final shine and clarity
Our team will evaluate your boat’s condition and recommend the correct level of oxidation removal. Whether you need a quick polish or a full restoration involving wet sanding, compounding, and polishing, we’ll walk you through every step and ensure you get long-lasting, professional results.
Because no two boats are alike—and neither is the severity of oxidation—we offer custom pricing based on your boat’s condition, size, and specific restoration needs.
Whether your boat needs a light polish or a full multi-step restoration involving wet sanding, compounding, and polishing, we’ll evaluate it in person and walk you through the recommended approach. Every oxidation removal service includes interior and exterior cleaning, as well as protection with Jescar Power Lock+ ceramic sealant to help preserve your results.
To get an accurate quote, just send us a text at (904)717-7127 with some photos of your boat—the more the better—so we can assess its condition and provide an estimate!
Boat oxidation can leave your hull chalky, faded, and rough, diminishing both appearance and value. Using multi-step processes like polishing, compounding, and wet sanding, we safely restore your gel coat, leaving your boat smooth, glossy, and protected against future damage.
Choose your vehicle type, pick a time that works for you, and lock in your spot with our easy online booking.
Tailored process including polishing, compounding, and wet sanding for light to severe oxidation.
We come to your marina or dock, or you can drop your boat at our fully equipped detailing warehouse.
We apply a high-quality sealant to protect your boat from UV damage and saltwater exposure.
Our team inspects your vessel and recommends the level of correction needed, ensuring cost-effective results.
We remove chalk, haze, and fading to restore color depth, shine, and overall resale value.
Marine-grade products and equipment protect your gel coat and other surfaces during restoration.
Don’t wait for oxidation to cause long-term damage. Call to book your appointment now and protect your investment while improving its appearance.
Over time, your boat’s gel coat and fiberglass can fade, chalk, or lose shine due to UV exposure, saltwater, and environmental factors. Moran’s Performance Detailing in Jacksonville, FL specializes in professional boat oxidation removal to restore your vessel’s finish. We use polishing, compounding, and wet sanding as needed to remove oxidation safely and effectively while protecting the gel coat. Our mobile units come directly to your dock or marina, or you can use our detailing warehouse for more controlled restoration.
Oxidation breaks down the protective gel coat, leaving your boat vulnerable to damage and reducing resale value. Our multi-step process restores gloss and clarity, removes surface damage, and finishes with a high-quality ceramic sealant for protection against UV rays, salt, and environmental wear. With our professional service, your boat will look vibrant and maintain its appearance and value longer.
A huge part of our business comes from repeat customers, referrals, and 5‑star reviews. Take a look at our latest feedback to see how Moran’s Performance Detailing keeps vehicles looking their best all over Jacksonville.
From how long a detail takes to what’s included in each package and how to prepare your vehicle, these FAQs cover the most common questions customers ask before booking with Moran’s Performance Detailing.
Have a question about our auto services, or ready to schedule your next detail? Reach out using the form below, give us a call, or stop by our Jacksonville shop and we’ll help you choose the right service for your vehicle.
Tamara Reeves is an experienced automotive paint correction and surface refinement specialist with a career spanning high-end, luxury, and collector vehicles. Her hands-on experience began at the age of 15, working on food trucks where she learned the fundamentals of sanding, polishing, and surface preparation—building a strong work ethic and technical foundation from an early age.
As her skills advanced, Tamara transitioned into professional automotive work, gaining valuable experience through auction environments where precision, efficiency, and attention to detail were essential. Working her way up through the auction setting allowed her to refine her expertise on a wide range of vehicle conditions while meeting strict quality standards and deadlines.
Her career continued into the luxury and exotic automotive sector, including professional work at the Brumos Collection Museum, where craftsmanship and preservation of historic and high-value vehicles are paramount. Throughout her career, Tamara has performed sanding, polishing, and advanced paint correction on prestigious brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, and Maybach.
Known for her meticulous approach and honesty with clients, Tamara specializes in maximizing paint clarity and finish while respecting the limitations of each vehicle’s condition. Her career reflects a steady progression built on skill, experience, and a commitment to quality workmanship across every level of automotive detailing and paint correction.
I didn’t grow up dreaming about detailing. My pops had real deal OCD when it came to cars — spotless, perfect, everything done a certain way. And me? I used to run from that. If he called me to help wipe down a car, I was gone, already halfway down the street with my friends.
Life got funny though… because everything I ran from ended up becoming the thing that saved me.
When COVID hit, I caught it. It knocked me off my feet and made me rethink everything. I was working security making $10 an hour, barely surviving, and after getting sick I realized that wasn’t the life I wanted to go back to. So I quit — no safety net, no idea where my next dollar was coming from.
That’s when detailing came back into my life. The same skill I avoided as a kid became my lifeline. I picked up a bucket and a vacuum, and somehow that turned into my first clients. Then more. Then more. Detailing literally kept me alive when I had nothing else.
Now it’s my passion. I love seeing a car transform, watching a customer smile, and knowing I brought something back to life. I’m constantly learning new skills — paint correction, interiors, coatings — because I want to take this as far as it can go. Long-term, I’m building myself into one of the top detailers in my city, skill-wise and service-wise.
Funny how God works… He took the thing I ran from and made it the thing that’s building my future.
I’ve always had an eye for the small details, which naturally led me into the world of detailing. Over the past 6 years, I’ve turned that passion into a craft—focused on restoring, protecting, and elevating every vehicle I work on. My long-term goal is to build a strong reputation for quality and care. What I enjoy most is seeing customers light up when they see the transformation. My philosophy is simple: treat every car like my own, work with precision, and never cut corners.
Michael Moran is a Jacksonville native who transformed his passion for automotive care into a full-time mobile detailing business serving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. As the owner and operator of Moran’s Performance Detailing, he leads a small, dedicated team committed to delivering showroom-quality detailing for cars, boats, and RVs at the customer’s location. Moran emphasizes simplicity, professionalism, and customer satisfaction, using high-quality products and equipment to ensure each vehicle looks better than the day it was bought. His business aims to become a trusted local name through craftsmanship, personalized service, and long-term client relationships.
