Short answer: Harbor Marine refinishes boats for Sugar Hill owners at our nearby Buford shop: faded hulls, consoles and helms on trailer boats and lake boats alike. Call (770) 967-8495 for a quote.
Giving an older boat new life
Plenty of Sugar Hill families buy a used boat with a sound engine and a tired finish. The hull is chalky, the console is faded and there are old repairs in a slightly different shade. A refinish is one of the best ways to make that boat feel like yours. It is also worth doing before you sell, since a fresh finish helps a boat show well.
Common Sugar Hill jobs
- Faded hull sides on trailer boats.
- Consoles, helms and dash panels.
- Patchy areas around old repairs.
- Outdrive prep and painting.
How the job goes
On a used boat, we start by finding out what is under the tired finish. Older boats sometimes hide past repairs, filler or small cracks. Those get fixed first. Then we sand and fair the surface, mask the trim, gauges and hardware, and apply the new finish in the shop. The goal is a boat that looks cared for and stays that way for years.
Trailer boats come straight in
Sugar Hill is next door to Buford, so most owners just tow the boat to our shop on Lanier Islands Parkway. Call first so we can plan space and timing. Leaving the boat on its trailer makes it easy to work around.
Garage-kept boats
A boat kept in a Sugar Hill garage usually holds its finish well, but the helm and seats still fade from use. Even a garage boat can benefit from a console refinish after a few seasons.
Timing
Winter is the ideal time, since the boat is not being used. Tell us your target date when you call.
Pricing
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- The area being refinished.
- Repairs needed first.
- Prep.
- Color choices.
What to look for in a tired finish
Rub a hand across the hull. If it leaves white or colored chalk, the gel coat is oxidized. A polish may fix light oxidation, but if the color is still dull afterward, or if spider cracks run across whole panels, a refinish is the next step. Look closely at old repairs too. A different shade or a visible edge means they will keep standing out.
Refinishing for resale
If you plan to sell in a season or two, a refinish can make the boat easier to sell. Buyers judge a boat by how it looks before they ask about engine hours. A clean, even finish and a sharp helm make a strong first impression in listing photos.
Trailer bunk areas
On trailer boats, the hull areas that sit on the bunks wear first. We check them during prep and repair any wear before the finish goes on, and we can suggest trailer adjustments so the new finish lasts.
How long the boat is gone
The schedule depends on the scope and repairs. A helm refresh is shorter than full hull sides. We give you a realistic idea when you call, so you can plan around trips.
Inside the cockpit
Refinishing is not only for the outside. Molded seat bases, cockpit liners and the inside of the gunwales fade and scuff too. Refreshing those surfaces along with the helm can make the whole boat feel newer from the moment you step aboard.
What to send first
Send photos of each side, the deck, the helm and any old repairs that stand out. Tell us the year and model if you know them. On a used boat, that information helps us spot common problem areas and plan the scope before you tow it over. A quick call before drop-off also helps us have space ready for the boat and its trailer.
Related and nearby
A refinish often pairs with fiberglass repair or a detail. Nearby, we also refinish boats in Buford, in Suwanee and in Cumming. Damage under the paint is handled by our gel coat repair in Sugar Hill team, and a detail in Sugar Hill keeps new paint protected. See all our boat repair in Sugar Hill, the main boat painting page, or get in touch.