Question about painting a fiberglass hull

[TwoBallScrewBall]

FINALLY, I can post a question in the non-engine topics section!<br /><br />I have an 88 bayliner ciera, blue and white hull. It's in pretty good shape with the exception of a few scuffs, a couple of which have marred up the striping (stickers). I don't like the stripe stickers to begin with, so they're coming off. I'm assuming that on a 16 year old boat there's going to be a noticable color difference where the stripes (about 3" wide) were. I am thinking of lightly sanding the entire blue area of the hull and respraying with some automotive primer and paint. I had a corvette which I sanded down and repainted so I'm thinking that the boat hull will be very similar since the vette was also all fiberglass. Basically, the major concern is don't sand through the gelcoat. Should this work? Any reason I shouldn't do this?<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Steve

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

You can use compound to buff or wet sand the hull and renew the finish without repainting. Check the projects forum and you'll get lots of recent info. Good luck.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

Thanks, I'll look around a bit more. If I can get the hull looking better without painting it I'm all for it.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

You'll need it pretty shiny to match that truck!!

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

I have a 1977 Formula (blue) that looks like a 1997! Repair any dinks,etc.and wet sand the hull. Naturally, the finer the paper, the better, but if it really looks oxidized start with a 800grit- if that doesn't cut it go to 600. Finish with a 1600 grit paper. If you decide to use rubbing compound to finish the job YOU MUST remove any oily residue<br />before sealing. The most important thing to realize is that you are dealing with a 16year old boat. Your gelcoat is somewhat porous and wax alone will simply chalk up in a short period of time. The key word is SEAL. I recommend an <br />acrylic polymer that seals the gelcoat. There is absolutely no breakdown because the elements<br />can't get the gelcoat. Each year just give it an additional coat or two. The stuff is removed with a degreaser such as Greased Lightning. Another route to go (which I'm trying on the topside of my boat)<br />is using Penetrol. Go to Home Depot. Both of these methods will "outshine" compound and wax. It's far easier to do, will last a heck of alot, and will look great.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

I just got the boat in Sept, and I'm lucky in the fact that it looks like the hull was taken care of. It's not oxidized, just scuffed here and there, and I think the sanding will do it. What is penetrol?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

Penetrol is a liquid that has multi uses.From a paint and varnish thinner to a coating for oxidized fiberglass.It is something that one can try when all attempts to polish or restore a gelcoat finish fail.Done correctly it works pretty good but is really tough to get off fiberglass if you dont like it or get some where it dont belong.Charlie

 

[Solittle]

Re: Question about painting a fiberglass hull

Penetrol is also great as a coating to metal that is subject to rust - like trailers. Brush on and let it dry a couple of days & top with Rustoleum.