Looking to finish off my 353 restoration this spring. Was looking to get my Vinyl done by Formula, but I have a 2014 382 Formula Paint Scheme on a 98 353 - Formula told me they won't do custom sun pads designs as they didn't make a pattern for the 353 (with my older style sun pad) - so I may need to go elsewhere.

I have heard good things about XT Innovations, but they are 4+ hrs away and I can't get the boat to them until late April (due to storage).

Have the McLeods, and entire sunpad/headest/rear storage pad removed - so if they can be done well without the boat - I can take the pieces somewhere (read seat and seat-back were redone in Formula white skins last season. The sunpad design I want will be primarily silver with some red/black stripes and possibly white head rests.

If someone has a cool pattern from Formula, let me know. I've searched thru every pic i could find on a 353, there are a lot of older designs (like my original paint) - but few of 353's in the 2008 + time period when Formula started to add a lot of color to the hull vs the primary being white.

Sunsation is located 20 mins from me, not sure who they use - or if it's someone local. I don't want a local mom-pop shop (other than to staple skins), as they all say they can do it - but have not seen one with Formula Quality or better in my area.

Paint Scheme shown here: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0X5fk75vExA8


Looking for some input.

Thx.

BTW: Did anyone change the foam or sunpad boards? My plastic boards are all cracked/broken and was looking to replace them. Wondering what materials are best?

Contact Dave at XT-Innovations..419-569-1984) .they did our interior winter of 2015.. You've seen my interior...they are amazing.

Good luck,

Chris

Thx Chris,

Have a call into them, spoke to Bev this morning - they are a bit of a hike from me or they'd have the business already.

Eric,
Speak with Dave because he's got the entire template of my stuff...I am sure that you will only have to send him your existing vinyl and they will redo all as you desire.

Good luck buddy. I can't wait to see your boat all finished

Chris

Just seen this same question maybe a month ago on Facebook. The 2 most recommended places were XT and appearance products in Grand rapids

Snowrunner your paint looks great. Who painted it?

Thx Guys!

Waiting on XT Quote - will call Appearance as well.

Boat was painted by Lafata Custom Paint, in St Clair Shores did the paint work.

Chris,

I'll post some when I'm done, hopefully this spring.

Second engine will be done tomorrow - miserable MPI intake and original Merc exhaust manifolds allowed moisture in the bores. Both had to go 0.005 over to clean them up and stop blow by issue.

Mike True just rebuilt my SB upper - bearing were shot.

At 320 hrs, didn't expect these issues - but it did live in the salt its first 15 yrs of life

Just need to get the interior redone and system re-installed post interior paint (originally the paint didn't really go into the interior and left some funky lines). Cant wait to 'getter done'!

Beautiful paint!