2-Day Boat Detailing Class with Mike Phillips (2025)

This course certifies students in the advanced marine detailing processes necessary to produce high quality results when detailing boats professionally or as a hobby. The objective of this course is to restore real neglected marine gelcoat paint finishes using different levels of aggression to produce results ranging from production to show boat quality.  Skill level: Beginner to Enthusiast/Professional

Day 1 – Marine Gelcoat Correction

Students will start with a pre-prepped boat to provide maximum time for gelcoat correction and ceramic coating protection.  

Machine Wet Sanding

Using gear-driven orbital sanders and both the Mirka Abralon Sanding System and the Eagle Abrasives by KOVAX Sanding System, students will learn how to machine wet sand the hull to remove deep oxidation, water stains and dock rash.

Machine Dry Sanding

After the machine wetsanding step, students will learn how to machine dry sand using the Eagle Abrasives by KOVAX system.  The machine dry sanding step is used to refine the deeper wet sanding scratches to create more shallow sanding marks to make the rotary step faster and easier.  Machine dry sanding is also the best approach for anyone wanting to create a show car finish on a boat.

Sanding Mark Removal from Gelcoat with Rotary Polishers & Wool Pads

Following the machine dry sanding step, the sanding marks instilled in the gelcoat must be removed as the next step towards a show boat finish.  To do so, students will use rotary polishers with wool pads and a Dr. Beasley’s Nano Surface Primers.

Hologram Removal from Gelcoat with Orbital Polishers & Foam Pads

Once the sanding marks have been removed, the holograms instilled by the rotary polisher/wool pad combo must be polished out to leave a defect-free gel coat finish.  Students will use orbital polishers with foam pads to complete this step. 

Gelcoat Protection with Marine Ceramic Coating

Finally, the newly restored gelcoat must be protected with a durable marine ceramic coating — in this case Dr. Beasley’s Boat Coat Pro. Students will apply this coating to the entire hull, learning step-by-step how to properly install a marine ceramic coating.

Day 2 — Boat Interior Detailing

Students will learn the correct sequence of steps to efficiently clean and protect the various surfaces and materials inside a boat. The goal is to work smarter, not harder, ensuring a thorough yet time-efficient process. Part of that means completing all cleaning tasks before machine-scrubbing the non-skid surfaces so when you wash the interior, the residue from cleaning will be rinsed away. 

Metal Polishing to Remove Oxidation

Students will learn to remove oxidation and restore the shine to polished metal surfaces. Like I mentioned earlier, the brightwork will be polished before washing the boat so any polish residues will be rinsed away during the wash.

Removing Mold & Mildew from Vinyl

Mold remediation is both an art and a science. Students will use specialized products designed to eliminate mold and mildew and keep it from growing back. These specialized products are both effective and safe for humans and the marine environment.

Cleaning and Protecting Vinyl Surfaces

Boats often feature extensive vinyl surfaces, such as seats, leaning posts (also known as rocket launchers), and interior bolsters. Students will learn how to clean vinyl by machine and protect the surface after. 

Plastic Windscreen & Isinglass Polishing

Many boats have plastic windscreens and Isinglass windows that accumulate swirls, scratches, and water spots. Students will learn how to machine polish these surfaces to remove defects and restore optical clarity.

Removing Oxidation, Mold, Stains & Mildew from Non-Skid

Students will learn how to machine scrub molded-in non-skid surfaces, which are among the most challenging areas to maintain. Scrubbing by machine effectively removes oxidation, stains, mold, and mildew while brightening and sanitizing the surface. 

Boat Interior Washing

After cleaning individual surfaces, students will wash the entire interior from the highest point and working down. Techniques include the use of a pressure washer to ensure a thorough clean.

Machine Polishing Interior Gelcoat Surfaces

Hard, glossy gelcoat surfaces inside the boat have less oxidation than the exterior but still require polishing and protection. Students will use various tools, pads, and products to achieve a finish that surpasses the factory-new appearance.

1-Step Gelcoat Restoration with Ceramic AIO

Students will learn how to use a Ceramic All-In-One (AIO) product to remove oxidation and restore a glossy, protected surface in a single step. This method offers an alternative to multi-step processes, and students will learn when to apply each approach.