Fiberglass Boat Repair Cost
While fiberglass boats are seen as relatively low in required upkeep, repair work might still be needed eventually to fix cracks or bubbles on the flooring or hull, for instance. In many cases, repair work will be required to fix the surfaces back together.
The expense of fixing the fiberglass of a boat depends upon what materials and tools are required to fix the surface area, where will the unit be serviced, and the rate of labor for the project.
Diy Costs Vs Professional Costs
Doing repairs yourself will usually save you money, and they can sometimes even save you on time.
However, some jobs are too big to be done by beginners, and some jobs just take too much time for the DIY repair to be worth it.
Ill try to give you a breakdown of some of the costs here so you can decide for yourself whether or not the repair is worth paying for or doing yourself.
How Do I Restore The Chalky Gelcoat On My Boat
C Carter asked:Grady-White recommended I use your product due to chalky gel coat. The boat is 33 long and the beam is 13. How much boat scrub and premium boat shine will I need? Id like to do the hull, deck, cockpit.Is there a minimum temperature for using the product?Do I apply the boat scrub by hand or with a polisher?
Answer:For your convenience, Ive highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.
The amount to buy depends on the condition of your boat. Premium Boat Shine will cover about 400 sq. ft. and you need 2 coats. The first coat will soak in because if your boat is chalky, the gelcoat is dry and porous and will absorb more. The coverage on the 2nd coat will be greater. To restore the finish, first wash the boat with Boat Clean Plus at a concentration of about 1:4 with water. The easy way is to use a . This will remove the surface pollutants and make the deoxidization process easier and faster and you will use less Boat Scrub.
Boat Scrub can be used by hand or with an orbital buffer. Most people find it is just as easy to use it by hand, with the . Simply rub away the oxidation until the gelcoat shines and then apply the Premium Boat Shine.
Thanks for your question,
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Should I Use Gelcoat Restorer
In recent years a number of products have come on the market that claim to restore the surface of the gelcoat. Restorer formulations renew the gloss in essentially the same way as wax by providing a new smooth surface but without the need for buffing. Results can be dramatic, but because restorers are a plastic coating similar to urethane varnish they can wear off, flake off, and occasionally discolor. Restorer kits typically include a prep wash and sometimes a polish in addition to the restorer. A specialized stripper for removing old sealer is also necessary.
There are variations in the recommended application, but in general it is the same as already described clean, polish, and coat. The acrylic sealer is usually water-thin, so applying it to the hull is much easier than, say, paste wax. And it dries to hard film, so no buffing is needed. However you do have to apply several coats five is typical to get a good shine. If the product you have selected doesn’t include an applicator, use a sponge or a soft cloth to wipe the sealer onto the gelcoat. Drying times are short, so subsequent coats can generally be applied almost immediately.
A multicoat application can restore the shine to weathered gelcoat for up to a year, but when it is time to renew it, you will need to remove the old sealer using the special stripper supplied in the kit . Apply five fresh coats of sealer and your boat should shine for another year.
Surface Prep Gel Coat Oxidation And Scratch Removal
To effectively remove oxidation and deep scratches the surface of your boats hull needs to be abraded starting with wet sanding in severe cases or more commonly by using a polishing compound. The use of marine grade formulas such as Crush Liquid Compound or Riptide Liquid Compound will quickly and effectively remove oxidation from the surface exposing fresh gel coat and fiberglass.
Selecting the appropriate pad for your dual action and rotary polisher is important for removing oxidation and scratches from gel coat and fiberglass surfaces. Wool cutting pads, along with the appropriate detailing product, will provide your most effective results.
We recommend that you work in areas no larger than 3×3. Overlap areas, wipe down with a microfiber cloth and keep your pads clean. We do not recommend that you overload pads with products. Plan on using several pads for each step in the process.
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How Much Does Fiberglass Repair Cost
The cost to repair fiberglass and gelcoat will vary depending on how much damage is done. Typically this cost could range from $75 to $125, per hour in most places. Again depending on how severe the damage is, this could take anywhere from a few hours, to several hours. For example, chips and gouges can take a few hours, while an actual hole could take five to ten hours.
You can choose to repair the damage yourself, and in most cases, its a fairly easy, straightforward procedure. If you have all of the tools needed, you could probably fix the repair for about $30 $60 depending on how severe the damage is.
How Often Should I Polish My Boat
Regular cleaning and maintenance can prolong your boat’s exterior aesthetics as well as the overall lifespan. That includes regular polishing and waxing. However, the frequency depends on the environment and weather patterns of your boat’s location.
Hotter climates and exposure to too much sunshine will degrade your boat’s gelcoat resulting in frequent polishing. On the other hand, places with cooler year-round temperatures and the boat being kept inside storage or out of sunlight most of the time will improve longevity and reduce the frequency of waxing needed.
If you have the option and live around hotter climates, ensure your boat is kept inside a garage or covered when not in use. Otherwise, experts recommend polishing your gel coat every 3-6 months to maintain its new appearance. some climates will demand more or less frequency.
DIY Versus Professional Detailing: Can I DIY My Boat?
Yes, you can. As long as you have the required equipment, products, and knowledge, you can follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and get down to it. It is time-consuming and physically straining, and you may not find every product you need in your local department store.
This process further translates into more time gathering the necessary equipment and comes with a cost. Additionally, inconsistent work can also damage your gelcoat further instead of restoring it.
In Conclusion
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Faded And Dull Fiberglass
For boats which have been oxidized and have some fading or dullness, waxes and polishes may restore the shine but often don’t maintain it for more than a month or so. This is because the gelcoat surface has microscopic pits and crevices in it from the oxidation, even after you have rubbed off the oxidized layer. When you apply wax over the surface, the wax is too heavy to penetrate into the pits and crevices. This is why oxidized boats usually never shine like they did when new, and more importantly, why wax doesn’t last long. Because air is trapped in the holes and crevices under the wax, the gelcoat can oxidize underneath the wax! Fiberglass sealerslike ourMS GelCoat Restoreravoid this problem by filling in all the holes, pits and crevices in the gelcoat surface.
How Can You Save Some Money
Go for a fiberglass boat repair work kit for smaller-sized repairs to save money on the labor rates. Highly-rated sets, for instance, can cost less than $30 and will consist of all of the products needed to finish the project.
If you have the required skills and you are positive that you can get the repair work done, think about fixing the fiberglass of the boat yourself. There are in-depth guides offered all around the Web, especially at DIY sites and on YouTube. As long as the fractures or the location in question is very small, it will not be as difficult as you might think.
Compare the rates provided by various boat repair shops around you. You should try to get at least 3 to 5 quotes prior to devoting to one shop for the project.
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How To Restore The Shine To Your Fiberglass Boat
Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. Harbors are busy, sailboats are out, and you might be getting ready for a season on the water with your fiberglass boat, too.
If your boat has been sitting in the harbor all winter, it could look less than its best right now. What is the best way to restore shine to your fiberglass boat?
Example Costs From Fiberglasssitecom:
- 6-ounce fiberglass cloth 50 wide and 5 yards long. $25.00
- 1 gallon of polyester resin with hardener. $39.00
With this much cloth and resin, you could do a lot of small repairs of cracks and holes.
A simple hole or crack repair might cost you $50.00 each, so youd definitely save money on smaller repairs, and you may even have some extra fiberglass left over for the future.
For a balsa core deck repair, you might want ¾ inch core. This costs about $50.00 for a 2×4 piece. Youll also need a 10-ounce fiberglass cloth and polyester resin.
This repair might end up costing you a couple of hundred dollars, but it could save you a thousand.
Foam core used for repairing heavy damage to the hull of a sea-going vessel will need to be very strong. Not only this, but youll need to consult with a marine technician to determine what the best combination of foam, resin, and fiberglass should look like.
Between material costs and consulting costs, youll end up spending thousands of dollars. Youll also end up spending a lot of time, and you may devalue the worth of the boat since a buyer might not feel safe buying a boat that was repaired by an amateur.
In this case, you may be better off paying a professional boat repair company to do your repairs.
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How To Restore Weathered Fiberglass
Fiberglass is widely used in the manufacture of pleasure boats and RVs. This is because it is easy to use and is less expensive than steel or wood and it lasts a long time. However, fiberglass oxidizes similar to steel, and over time will become weathered and lose its shine. Restoring weathered fiberglass is not that difficult.
Poli Glow Boats Restoration
Taking care of your chalky and oxidized gelcoat doesnt only include restoring its lustrous shine and color. It needs optimum safeguard, and this alternative does just that. As this Poli Glow restorer revives your boats new-like luster, it also leaves a protective layer that counters sun damages.
Unlike conventional products, this is formulated as a water-based polymer that effectively penetrates deep into the fiberglass. It ensures a long-lasting showroom quality that spans for more than a year.
Not only that, but it also does a magnificent job of bringing back life to automobiles. This way, I can get the maximum benefits in just one bottle. Inexperienced boaters also prefer this product as it is quick and easy to use. It comes with a handy mitt that allows you to apply it smoothly onto surfaces.
I am confident that it will not harm fiberglass surfaces since it is free from oil-based ingredients. Also, you can forget about yellowing stains and surfaces chipping off. Since Poli Glow has established its name as the most trusted gelcoat restorer, you can be sure that your boat gets the best care it deserves.
- Four to six coats are needed to achieve a no-streak surface
- Removing it may be a pain in the rear
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How To Apply Gelcoat Restorer
is simple and easy to apply and can be done in five short steps, some of which you can often omit depending on the state of your gelcoat to begin with:
Gelcoat Repair : Boat Surface Restoration Guide
As every boat owner knows, even sturdy fiberglass boats are prone to damage from a poor landing, dropped fishing equipment, or a misplaced drill hole. Luckily, scratches and holes in the gelcoat that gives your boat its glossy appearance can be repaired with a little patience and the correct technique.
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How To Restore Fiberglass Boats
- Written by Piyush Jain on Dec 09, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Fiberglass boats are very susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun and the elements since the boats are stored and used in the open. Keeping up with any minor damage before it becomes a bigger problem isn’t very difficult and can save a lot of time and money later on. One of the easier repairs is general fiberglass repair to the hull and deck of fiberglass boats.
Step 1 – Preparation
For precaution, wear protective gear. Remove the boat from the water and thoroughly wash the affected areas. Allow those areas to dry completely before attempting any repairs. Inspect the surface of the fiberglass boat’s hull and interior for damage.
Any holes or scratches will need to be repaired using fiberglass patches and fillers. Use your drill or keyhole saw to cut out any of the damaged hull areas.
Use the course-grit sandpaper and the sander to smooth out the edges of the newly-created hole and taper the edges. Wipe down the surface with a rag and acetone to remove any dust.
Step 2 – Applying the Fiberglass Patch
Cut multiple layers of the fiberglass cloth, making each layer slightly larger than the previous layer. This will allow you to overlap a larger section over a smaller section, creating a more feathered patch on the hull.
Fiberglass Repair Overview: Cost Savings And Repair Strategy
Even the best boat captain has had a docking turn into a scuff-and-chip event. But you dont have to pay astronomical marina fees to get your boat fixed. You can do it yourself with advice from expert fiberglass boat repair specialist Chris Hassis. Hes fixed boo-boos on fiberglass personal watercraft, snowmobiles and pickup toppers, and even luxury yachts. Youll need the right tools and materialsand lots of patience. But hell show you how to save a ton of money on boat fiberglass repair and make your boat look like new with some fiberglass boat repair tips. We were astounded at this refurbished boats rebirth. The boat now looks every bit as good as it did in the showroom after some fiberglass repair.
Most hired-out repairs of any type are roughly 50 percent labor and 50 percent materials. Not so with this fixhull repairs are all about labor. The repairs on this boat would cost roughly $3,000 at a shop. But the materials only cost about $250 and the buffer about $150! So roll up your sleeves. Your fiberglass boat repair might not be perfect, but your boat will look unbelievably better than it did before. Just dont try to rush or skimp on the materials. And know that this job is much bigger than it looks.
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A Couple Of Typical Issues With Fiberglass Boats
Spotting Leaks In Fiberglass Boats
Sometimes leaks spring up from nowhere, with no warning or indication theres a problem. The truth of the matter is that unless youve had a bad collision recently, the hull seems perfectly intact. Often, leaks are caused by tiny holes after a minor collision and while its not immediately noticeable, it slowly gets worse. Its likely the first time you see any signs of a leak are when it starts spurting in probably while youre in the middle of the lake.
Its pretty scary and youll be left confused about how it happened. Thats why you have to maintain your boat and conduct regular checks. Its essential and something most neglect. However, if you want to spot a leak in a fiberglass boat, its what you need to do before it gets any worse.
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