Gel Coat Repair - What should it cost?

[Firefly211]

Hi, I put a very nice scratch down the topside of my boat last season and was looking around to get it fixed. You can see it below and it's about 25cm long. I seems to be just through the gel coat.

I have been quoted 500. does that sound about right?
Ant

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Hi, I put a very nice scratch down the topside of my boat last season and was looking around to get it fixed. You can see it below and it's about 25cm long. I seems to be just through the gel coat.

I have been quoted 500. does that sound about right?
Ant

It's not cheap but, in many ways it depends on the quality of the work. If the repair is a perfect match then, depending on your boat, it may be worth paying the money. If it is just a quick repair which will protect the GRP but leave a visible scar, then you could do it yourself for just a few pounds.

I wouldn't spend £500 for that job.

 

[rivonia]

If it is a guarantee colour match then it is a reasonable price.

Peter

 

[Simonpk]

As it looks as though the name could do to be redone & depending on how far the scratch extends past the "S" could you fill it & then put a nice vinyl graphic incorporating the name over the top.

Simon

 

[ghostlymoron]

No way

I wouldn't spend £500 on that. Think what else you could spend the money on. Buy a tube of gelcoat filler and some colour additives and do it yourself. With a bit of trial and error on the colouring and a bit of care on the filling/rubbing down it will be almost invisible. You'll have to replace the name and that will camouflage the repair anyway.
On viewing photo again the colour looks like it will be reasonably matched with just plain white.

 

[rickym]

Did a similar thing myself last year. Scraped down the pontoon fenders popped out. looked pretty ugly. Had it repaired and new stripes fitted plus hull polish didn't cost £500 though.

You don't say where you are based. I would suggest you get a couple of quotes.

 

[mattnj]

i spent £400 last year on gelcoat repairs, its a weird cream color that needed making up, and was probably 5 times more than you have shown there all over the boat in loads of places, it was all the dinks and dents aquired over the last 20years, so £500 is way too much for that IMO

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

A friend has just paid £400 for a similiar scar to be put right. Have van will travel man, Portsmouth area.

 

[Firefly211]

Might have a go myself

Thanks for the responses. It feels a bit high to me. I am more tempted to have a go myself to be honest, though I might have a practice on a piece of scrap round the yard first. Need to get the temperature up a bit first though.

 

[pcatterall]

£500 is a lot of money ( to me at least) I would do the best DIY job I could and save the money for when there are enough of these repairs to warrant a repaint job.
Because the scratch goes through the name and breaks up the scratch it may work in your favour.

 

[jonic]

Shop around. it can be cheaper but get some testimonials or references first.

To get a barely visible repair is a skilled job.

 

[OGITD]

Troon!?

I have completed many excellent Gelcoat repairs which can be inspected if you are in the area. I can advise and help as I am fed-up with seeing bodge jobs, unattended scratches and cracks which people just don’t seem to care about.
I have worked out how to provide a chemical and mechanical bond so that the repair doesn’t pop-out the next time you come into contact with another boat or the pontoon.
PM if required.

 

[ostell]

If you're in the Portsmouth area here is the place to go. Very popular person and won't rip you off. When he does a repair you can't find it afterwards. He's done a couple of articles in PBO, including one on colour matching.

 

[gjgm]

I think you are being quoted for a day's work. In fairness, there is probably travel etc.
If you can get the gel from the maufacturer still, you could spend £50 on tools and do it yourself. Otherwise you are paying for the skill of colour blending, which is pretty time consuming.
For £500 you should expect an invisible repair.. if you get quoted too cheap, I dont think you should expect the same.
For the £500, you can probably get alot more repairs done at the same time , if you have any !

 

[Gelmaster]

Hi, I put a very nice scratch down the topside of my boat last season and was looking around to get it fixed. You can see it below and it's about 25cm long. I seems to be just through the gel coat.

I have been quoted 500. does that sound about right?
Ant

I specialise in GRP & Gelcoat repairs and will beat that price!
Apex Boat Repairs
John Hughes
07789725002