Fiberglass Gelcoat Finisher

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Job Title: Gelcoat Finisher / Buffer

Company: Barker Boatworks

Location: Sarasota, FL

About Barker Boatworks:
Barker Boatworks is a leading manufacturer of high-performance, custom-built center console boats. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship to our customers. We are seeking a Gelcoat Finisher to bring our laminated hulls, decks, liners, and components to a show-quality finish.

Job Summary:
The Gelcoat Finisher takes cured, de-molded fiberglass parts and finishes them to final cosmetic standard — repairing surface defects, sanding through progressive grits, and cutting and buffing to a deep, uniform gloss.

Responsibilities:

Inspection and Repair:

• Inspect de-molded parts under proper lighting for porosity, pinholes, voids, print-through, blisters, and color variation.
• Repair surface defects using catalyzed gelcoat paste and putty — grinding out, filling, feathering, and curing to a sound, blended repair.
• Repair scratches, chips, and handling damage occurring during rigging, assembly, and pre-delivery.

Sanding and Polishing:

• Wet and dry sand through progressive grit sequences (typically 320 through 1000+) to remove defects and level the surface without burning through the gelcoat film.
• Cut, polish, and finish with compounds and dual-action buffers to achieve high-gloss, swirl-free results.
• Finish nonskid, textured surfaces, radiused corners, and tight interior areas by hand where machine access is limited.
• Detail and protect finished parts for movement through assembly and delivery.

General:

• Meet finish standards consistently while hitting the production schedule.
• Keep a clean, organized, and safe work area in compliance with shop safety protocols.

Qualifications:

• Experience in gelcoat finishing, marine detailing, auto body finishing, or a related sanding-and-polishing trade. Strong candidates without direct marine experience will be considered and trained.
• Comfortable with DA sanders, rotary buffers, grinders, and standard hand tools.
• Understanding of grit progression and the discipline not to skip steps.
• Ability to judge a finish critically — you can see a swirl, a low spot, or a mismatched patch that others walk past.
• Familiarity with gelcoat paste repair, catalyst ratios, and cure behavior is a strong plus.
• Able to lift 50 lbs, work overhead and on staging, kneel and work in confined areas such as bilges and hull interiors, and tolerate a shop environment with dust and fumes.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, and paid time off.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing company.