The price is not that important unless the work sucks. A car paint job can be $30k. Material costs are crazy. Break the job down in sections so you have an exit strategy if needed. Only give down payment for each section if at all.
I have shot Imron and Awlgrip. Imron can be buffed, but it is a bitch. We have also buffed Awlgrip.
Of the two, Imron is harder but more flexible. To explain, it is very impact and scuff resistant, but will move with the base to a point, depending on temperature. Perfect for Corvettes. Imron sprayed on a wet floor makes plastic sheets.
Awlgrip once dry feels slick. This makes it tend to shed dirt and water. It can chip on impact. Very hard to buff and get back to the original gloss. So it is considered hard to repair. Both products dry withe same reflectability as glass, so they show defects. A good finish will be shinier than a new car.
I would choose Imron. If done right should last the life of the boat with a little care.
As a note your contract needs to be super detailed. Detail what is to be done and used at each step. Break each step down to a cost and completion date.
Example:
Prep:
25% of total cost, to be completed in five weeks to owners approval. Imron primer coat per factory spec sheet. Repairs per attached list.
Top coat
25% Imron color xxxx, three color coats and two clear top coats. To owners approval. To be completed in ten working days.
Final:
Final:
25%
Rebed all fittings per owners instructions attached per owners approval. To be completed in ten working days.
15% holdback for final inspection.
10% bonus if prefect. I add this on top of their quote. Gets management attention your serious.
Note you must state you can terminate contract at any point. That way if work turns to crap you pull the boat. **** happens. Have an exit strategy. Confirm insurance covers boat while there.
The longer the paint lasts the harder to unscrew mess ups. Needs to be shot indoors on a cool day, no wind, prefer two days after a rain.
The more time you spend watching them the better the job. Buy the workers a lunch or two, pizza, burgers, etc. Know their names! You want them to want to do a good job for you. Be quick to point out problems. Easier to fix early than late.
Don't come on site and bitch, if you like it say so. If you don't, figure away to say and illustrate what you want. If your like me and picky, tell them up front.
The devil is in the details.
I require in the contract the date they spray each part. That way I get a chance the day before to examine every inch of the boat.
I also like to watch them spray. Great learning experience.
If you admire good work, it's hard for a craftsman not try to meet your standard.
