From backyard shed to industry benchmark:
How Metan Marine restores the world’s most exclusive yachts with Awlgrip®
What began in a backyard shrink-wrap shed nearly 30 years ago has grown into one of the most respected names in yacht restoration. Mike Borrelli, a former trainee car mechanic with a stint as a mate aboard a fishing boat in Scituate, Massachusetts, turned a side project into a business that now sets the benchmark for high-end marine craftsmanship.
Teaming up with his father and a friend, Borrelli launched Metan Marine with little more than passion and practical know-how. Today, the company operates out of a 150-foot facility, restoring yachts valued as high as $150 million. The company’s reputation is global, its waitlists long, and its process watched by thousands on YouTube—a testament to both the precision of their work and the fascination it inspires.
Why Awlgrip? Color Depth, Gloss, and Durability
At the heart of Metan Marine’s evolution has been a consistent commitment to one thing: Awlgrip® coatings. “I have always used Awlgrip for all my boats,” Borrelli says. “I will never forget rep Steve Smith pulling into my driveway on my second project. He was an absolute book of knowledge and such a kind gentleman.”
Coming from the automotive world, Borrelli was familiar with base coat and clearcoat systems, but marine finishes were another level. Smith walked him through the chemistry—the distinctions between linear urethanes and acrylic urethanes—and how Awlgrip’s finish cured differently. “Steve took the time to explain the difference, how the clear rises to the surface during the cure process,” he recalls.
Why Awlcraft 3000? High-Gloss, Buffable, Repairable Acrylic Urethane
That insight led Borrelli to embrace Awlcraft® premium polyurethane finishes, products known for their ease of application and high-gloss results. The difference was clear, especially when it came to repairs. “For years you could not wet sand and buff using linear urethane because you would break the surface,” he says. “Awlcraft is an acrylic urethane. It melts into the previous coat when you wet sand, and you can then polish to the point you would not even know the repair is there.”
Today, Metan Marine runs both of its $100,000 spray booths with Awlcraft 3000®, alongside AkzoNobel’s advanced color platform, a pairing that delivers showroom-level finishes on the water. “We have just completed one of the longest paint runs ever, using both spray booths on five projects for 120 boats,” Borrelli says. “The feedback on the Awlgrip finish and durability has been unbelievable.”
From its humble beginnings to its standing as a go-to for ultra-high-net-worth yacht owners, Metan Marine’s story is steeped in grit, innovation, and relentless attention to detail, and it’s one that has unfolded in lockstep with Awlgrip. “Awlgrip has been with us from day one,” Borrelli says. “It is more than a product. It is a partnership that allows us to deliver the best possible results for our customers.”
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