Powder coating exsisting T top - The Hull Truth

rcoleman · 05-12-2008, 11:43 AM

My top has some pitting and scratches from use over the years. I was going to have a new one fabricated but I thought about having this one powder coated to get a couple more years out of it. Anyody have any ballpark figures for doing this? My top was customer built when the boat was made and has alot of extra support bars as well as a XXL top for shade. Any leads in Jacksonville for somebody with a booth big enough?

I am well aware of what will happen when it gets scratched/nicked as well as the use of rubber spacers bewteen all the bolts/T top

thomas70 · 05-12-2008, 05:20 PM

We finished this 261 Mako for a customer the powderwork was about 5 bills but looks awsome.
http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/boat...mako-done.html

thomas70 · 05-12-2008, 05:21 PM

Try this one

http://www.classicmako.com/forum/top...TOPIC_ID=21102

FlyNut · 05-12-2008, 05:32 PM

http://ameratrail.com/
I have their trailer and have seen their booth and some of the work. They maybe able to help you out.

davepen · 05-12-2008, 06:12 PM

Long story short...

I ordered a hardtop for my Whaler when I bought it (it did not currently have one).

The shippers (Yellow Freight) scratched the hell out of it before it was delivered and my dealer filed a claim. I was offered another top (which they would probably scratch) or the option of having it PowderCoated by an outfit here in town.

I chose the PowerderCoat option, and Yellow Freight paid the $5K bill.

Many years later, I split a weld and had to have some pretty major repairs done to the top. When the repairs were done, I had the same place re-coat the top and it's new structure for: $750.00.

My take on the moral, stay away from dealers and the guys that specialize in "marine" stuff or they'll take you for a ride...

rcoleman · 05-13-2008, 09:17 AM

The redo of the Mako looks GREAT! I keep busy enough keepong everything on my boat working (it is a boat) much less a total redo like that! The fab of a new T Top will run me arounf $7K, if I can get the powder coating done for around $1-$2K and have it last several years it sounds like a bargin to me! Thanks for all the input

thomas70 · 05-13-2008, 02:22 PM

Thanks, I'm doing a 222 Auqsport for myself next. The top on the Mako was pretty pitted up and the guys at East Coast Powder coat did a great job. They did the windsheild frame the top and a couple odds and ends for 500.00

OReely · 05-13-2008, 04:00 PM

Had a fairly good sized top done for a 34' boat; $1000 for a brand new top built without anodized pipe. From what I understand, the anodizing needs to be removed before powdercoating if your doing it on a older top. Also, aluminum should be prepped with a product like Alodine/ Alumaprep just like when painting with Awlgrip for best results.