UV oxidation and surface damage are inevitable on any hull that sees Michigan seasons. We restore gloss, address the damage, and work to match your hull's aged color as closely as the material allows — honestly, without overpromising.
Drag to compare · Replace placeholders with real project photos
Chalky, oxidized gel coat isn't just cosmetic — it's the hull's surface layer breaking down from UV exposure. Left untreated, oxidation penetrates deeper, eventually compromising the structural protection gel coat provides.
We work back through the oxidation to clean, sound substrate, apply the correct gel coat, and bring the surface back to gloss. Every job is assessed individually — the approach depends on how deep the damage has gone.
Color matching on aged hulls is a skill, not a formula. We take it seriously and we're good at it. But we're also honest about what's possible — and that's in your contract.
We evaluate the oxidation stage, surface integrity, and the extent of color drift before quoting. What looks like a simple compound job sometimes reveals deeper damage. We'd rather find it now than discover it mid-repair.
Washing, decontamination, and sanding back to sound substrate. The quality of this step determines everything that comes after. No shortcuts here — this is where most amateur repairs fail.
We mix gel coat to match your hull's current, aged color — not the original factory specification. Aged gel coat is a moving target: UV, salt, heat, and years of weathering all shift the color in ways that factory codes can't account for. We work from the hull itself, mixing and testing in natural light until we're as close as the material allows.
Gel coat application to the prepared surface. Cure time varies by temperature and humidity — Michigan weather is a variable we account for, particularly with mobile work.
Once cured, the repaired area is compounded and polished to gloss. We blend the transition zone between repaired and original surface. A hull buff out of the surrounding area can be added at this stage — see Hull Buff Out for details.
Photos coming as jobs are completed. Replace these placeholders with actual project photography — close-up, good light, same angle before and after.
Macro: heavily oxidized white hull surface, chalky texture visible, no reflectivity
Same area after restoration — mirror gloss, cloud reflection visible in surface
Color match panel: repaired section beside original hull in same natural light
Gel coat color match is performed to the best of our ability. Exact factory color match cannot be guaranteed on aged hulls. This language is in every contract we issue — because it's true, and because any shop that promises otherwise is setting you up for disappointment.
Gel coat changes color as it weathers. UV exposure, heat, oxidation, and years on the water all shift the surface away from the original factory specification. We mix and test in natural light, working from the hull itself rather than a color code. In most cases the result is excellent and the repair blends well. Occasionally, particularly on older or heavily faded hulls, a variation remains visible under certain light conditions. We'll tell you what to expect before we start — not after.
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 and what to expect — same day, no obligation.
Drop-off · Redford Township · $800 minimum · Mobile · Southeastern Michigan · $1,200 minimum