Short answer: Harbor Marine paints and refinishes boats in our Buford shop: faded or damaged hull sides, consoles, helms and other surfaces, prepped, masked and finished. Pricing is set when you call (770) 967-8495 for a quote.
When a boat needs more than a polish
Years of sun, water and use wear a boat's finish down. At first a detail and polish brings the shine back. Eventually the gel coat or paint is too thin, too chalky or too patched to restore. Faded color, spider cracks across a whole panel, mismatched old repairs and a console that has turned gray are all signs a refinish may be the better answer. Painting and refinishing give the surface a new finish rather than reviving a worn one.
We have been working on Lake Lanier boats for 25 years, and refinishing is a natural step for owners who want to keep a boat they love looking right.
What we refinish
- Hull sides and topsides that are faded or patchy.
- Consoles, helms and dash panels.
- Areas around past repairs that no longer match.
- Bottom repair and painting.
- Outdrive prep and painting.
Not sure what your boat needs? Send photos and we will tell you what we see.
How a refinish works
- Look and plan. We inspect the area, check for damage under the old finish and agree on the scope.
- Repair. Chips, cracks and soft spots are fixed first, so the new finish sits on sound material.
- Prep. The surface is sanded, cleaned and faired so the finish lies flat.
- Mask. Everything that is not being painted is covered and protected.
- Finish. Color goes on in a controlled shop space and is left to cure.
- Final check. Masking comes off, edges are cleaned up and the finish is inspected.
Why it happens in the shop
A good finish depends on clean, controlled conditions. Dust, wind, humidity and temperature all affect how paint goes on and cures. That is why painting is done at our shop at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, not at the dock. The boat stays put until the finish has cured.
Repair first, then paint
Paint will not hide damage for long. Cracks, chips and soft spots show through or come back. We fix the damage first through gel coat and fiberglass repair, then refinish over sound material. That is the difference between a finish that lasts and one that looks good for a season.
Where our customers come from
Lake owners bring boats from docks and slips on Lake Lanier and from nearby towns like Buford, Flowery Branch, Sugar Hill and Gainesville. Owners farther out, near Cumming, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Atlanta and Dahlonega, tow in or use boat transport.
Timing
Refinishing takes time for prep, finish and cure. The off-season is ideal, because the boat is not missing lake days. If you want the boat back for a certain date, tell us when you call so we can plan around it.
Pricing
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- The size of the area being refinished.
- Damage that needs repair before painting.
- How much prep the surface needs.
- Color and finish choices.
Paint or gel coat?
Some boats are best refinished with new gel coat, others with a marine paint system. Gel coat is the original surface on most fiberglass boats and can be resprayed and polished. Paint can offer a wider choice of colors and a high-gloss look. The right choice depends on the boat, the condition of the surface and how you use it. We talk it through with you before any work starts.
Our refinishing work
The photos on this page are real refinishing work from our shop: a hull masked before finish, a helm masked off from its gauges, and a boat outside the shop mid-refinish. Every job starts with a look at the boat and a clear plan for what gets refinished.
Keeping a new finish looking good
Once the finish has cured, protect it. Rinse after trips, keep the boat covered, and add wax, sealant or a ceramic coating through our detailing service. Questions? Contact us.