Impact damage looks worse than it is — and sometimes looks better than it is. We assess the full extent before quoting, because the finish is the last thing we address, not the first.
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A dock ding compresses the hull at the point of impact. That compression creates voids in the laminate structure beneath the surface — voids that aren't always visible. In Michigan's freeze-thaw cycle, water trapped in those voids expands, the damage spreads, and a minor impact becomes a structural repair.
We reconstruct the laminate before doing any finish work. That sequence matters: applying gel coat over a void is a repair that looks right for one season and fails after the first winter.
Rub rail damage, impact near through-hulls, and bow strikes each have their own considerations. We assess the full picture before quoting.
Tap testing and visual inspection to map the extent of laminate compression and voiding beneath the visible surface damage. What looks like a two-inch ding sometimes has delamination extending six inches from the impact point.
Where voids or delamination are present, we rebuild the laminate structure before any surface work begins. This is the step that determines whether the repair holds through a Michigan winter.
Once the structure is sound, the surface is prepared for finish work. Same process as our scratch and cosmetic repairs — back to clean substrate.
Gel coat applied and matched to the surrounding hull. For impact damage near the waterline or in high-visibility areas, color matching is particularly important and we take extra time with it.
Final compound and polish. For rub rail areas, we verify the repair profile matches the original rail geometry before finishing.
Photos coming as jobs are completed. Replace these placeholders with actual project photography.
Dock impact ding before repair — show compression, crazing, and surrounding surface
Laminate reconstruction in progress — fiberglass work visible before gel coat
Finished repair — same angle, same light as the before photo
Impact damage can extend further than the visible surface suggests. We don't quote dock ding repairs from photos alone — the assessment at intake tells us what's actually happening beneath the surface.
If an impact has caused delamination beyond what's visible, the repair scope changes and so does the cost. We'd rather find that at intake than discover it mid-repair. Our initial assessment is included with every drop-off.
All workmanship is warranted for 90 days from service completion. If a defect in our work is identified within this period, we return to correct it at no additional charge. This covers workmanship only — not impact damage, improper use, or conditions outside our control.
Text photos to (248) 916-9166 and we'll give you an honest read on scope — same day, no obligation.
Drop-off · Redford Township · $800 minimum · Mobile · Southeastern Michigan · $1,200 minimum