After getting outrageous prices to have a paint job done on a 24 Sunsation, I was at Macco dropping off a company car, when I asked if they could paint a boat. To my surprise, they said yes. I brought the boat in for an estimate for the sides and deck, they came back with a price of $1,200.00 (plus tax) This included priming with grey, and painting with a dupont Polyuryithane (sp). I prepped the boat by removing all the hardware, hand rails, rubrail, drive and steering. Also sanded it with 220.
I know some will scoff at his, however they have to do a better job then I could have done. The boat is being painted tommorow. I'll let you know how it turns out!

IN my opinion the best is NEVER a waste of money.

I hope u dewaxed and degreased befor you sanded

Just bear in mind you get what you pay for. Most of the time p&m cost me more than that for smaller jobs.

Some Maaco's are better than others and if you prep the boat then you should be ok.

interesting ,i will refrain my thoughts... let us know the results.

I am biting my tongue also!!!

A buddy had his 18' open bow painted by a shop that 'specializes' in the 2 days in/out $200 Presidental paint jobs approx. 8 yrs ago. Surprisingly it looked great and still does. Dropped it off in the morning, a taping crew tapped it off and sanded, then was sent to the paint crew. Everything was masked off, so there are the tape lines. His thinking was ain't got nothing to loose, not like it could hurt the value of the boat any, and those guys that paint do it all day long=plenty of experience.

Wow.... cool that someone took the risk that all of us broke scrooges have thought of but not been willing to take the chance.

Actually for a race boat it makes some sense. Since most of the flash on a race boat is vinyl and there is always the chance to swap a little paint, a little sand and squirt is a pretty good idea. Beats doin it in your driveway

Hear is my take. I have a buddy that used to work at a Macco in Cali. He then took a job as a painter at one of the premier restoration shops in the world. He said that the painters ad most maccos's are as good as they come because that is ALL that they do, paint cars. This guy can lay down the paint!! The problems ussually come up with prep work and repairs. They just scuff it with scotchbright if you are lucky but ussually use a chemical adhesion promotor, then a few years later the paint is peeling off. As long as you are going for a solid color I get you will be happy.

Jon