Salt & Pearl polishes stainless steel and chrome on yachts and boats in Knysna: rails, stanchions, cleats, ladders and fittings. We remove tea staining and surface rust, then apply a protective coat. It's priced from R35 per foot and can be added to any deck wash.
What's included
- Tea staining removed from rails, stanchions, pulpits and pushpits.
- Surface rust spots lifted from fittings, cleats and fasteners.
- Ladders, handrails and canopy frames polished.
- Chrome and brass fittings cleaned and brightened.
- Protective coat applied to slow salt damage between cleans.
What is tea staining?
Tea staining is the brown discolouration that appears on stainless steel near the sea. Salt spray, humidity and heat attack the surface of the metal, and the stain builds up over time. It's mostly cosmetic at first, but left alone it gets harder to remove and can lead to pitting.
Why we never use steel wool
Steel wool and wire brushes leave tiny particles of ordinary steel behind on stainless. Those particles rust, and you end up with more brown spots than you started with. We use non-abrasive pads and a proper stainless polish instead.
How much does stainless polishing cost?
Stainless polishing starts from R35 per foot, depending on how much stainless the boat has and how stained it is. Most owners add it to a deck wash with our Arrival Ready package:
| Boat length | Wash + stainless (Arrival Ready) |
|---|---|
| 25 ft | R1,900 – R3,500 |
| 32 ft | R2,400 – R4,500 |
| 40 ft | R3,000 – R5,600 |
| 50 ft | R3,750 – R7,000 |
Questions about stainless steel polishing
How often should boat stainless be polished?
A good rule of thumb near the sea is a proper polish every few months, with a fresh-water rinse after outings. Boats on a maintenance plan get a stainless wipe-down every visit.
Can you fix pitting?
Polishing removes staining and light surface rust. Deep pitting is damage to the metal itself, and polishing can improve how it looks but can't fully remove it.
Can I book stainless polishing on its own?
Yes. It's most popular as an add-on to a deck wash, but we can polish stainless on its own too.
Last updated 13 October 2026 · Salt & Pearl, Knysna
