Fiberglass repair and paint?

[32carv]

I’ve got a 26 foot Chaparral SSI bow rider. The boat is in excellent mechanical condition and the interior is mint. The exterior is rough with gouges and scratches from the previous owner. I’m interested in getting fiberglass repaired and the black sides repainted. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I consider ceramic coating after the paint? Maybe get it “wrapped”? Any other options to consider? What would a reasonable price be?
Jim

 

[alk]

I'm guessing here on price, but to professionally repair and repaint the sections pictured above - my guess is that you would be in the 4-6 grand ballpark. This is for a sprayed finish - awlgrip or imron. I repainted the topsides on my 28' myself - I didn't get any actual estimates, but the general consensus amongst the people I talked to around the boatyard was to expect to pay around 10 grand to paint the boat. Mine was waterline up to the rubrail, and boat was a bit bigger - which is where I came up with the 5k guestimate for yours. About 1,000 in paint, fiberglass & misc supplies, 25-40 hours labor.

 

[32carv]

Can a typical auto body shop do it or does it have to be done by a boat shop?
Jim

 

[alk]

An auto body shop can do it. But I suspect that they won’t use paint that will stand up to the marine elements - and will instead use an auto paint. End result, it will be cheaper, but won’t last as long. And not every auto shop will agree to take it on, as it’s sort of a pain for them to deal with a boat on a trailer. But if you look around, you’ll be able to find someone willing.

If I was paying labor to have someone spray my boat, no way I would proceed if they weren’t using Imron, Alexseal or Awlgrip. But I’m sure there are auto body experts who will tell you that those are no better than quality auto paint, just way more expensive.

 

[PascalG]

Agree about nothing but Awlgrip, Imron or Alexseal. Alexseal is less known but is now used by many high end yacht builders