New boat project

[bdreaper123]

I just had a friend give me a 13' Boston whaler. I am going to regelcoat the hull. My problem is that the entire hull is covered with cracks like in the picture. I know i can't just paint the gel coat over these cracks. What can i fill them with? Any ideas? <br />

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[Bondo]

Re: New boat project

Sand them out,+ Then Paint it........

 

[bdreaper123]

Re: New boat project

You don't think i could just some Gluvit, Marine tex, fairing compound, or something of the sort to seal the cracks then prime and gelcoat? To sand the cracks out i would have to remove the entire gelcoat. That would not be fun.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: New boat project

How about Epoxy over it sand then paint.. just a thought...

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New boat project

Your friend gave you that boat? MAN! That's a nice friend!

 

[bdreaper123]

Re: New boat project

Yeah, it was just sittin in his yard for years and he was just lookin for someone to take it off his hands. He even gave me all the paper work that he happened to keep for 20 years. MAXIMERC, What kind of epoxy did you have in mind? Like an epoxy resin or something?

 

[lark2004]

Re: New boat project

Epoxy might work, but you will need to sand and prep (acetone followed by water) the surface before you epoxy it.

 

[Realgun]

Re: New boat project

Thats a real ugly boat. But sanding it down with 180 grit, priming and painting it...its still not my cup of tea. I like Bayliners go figure.

 

[bdreaper123]

Re: New boat project

It's ugly but its got potential.

 

[Twidget]

Re: New boat project

Its ugly now, but will be sharp when you finish it.

 

[fleshfly]

Re: New boat project

Bondo, how did you ever make out? I am in simillar shoes as you were a few months ago. 13 FT whaler, Mine is in a little better shape, but I still have a ton of cracks in the gel coat. Curious to what remedy you came up with, results, reccomendations?? <br /><br />Any additional insight from the peanut gallery?<br /><br />Thanks <br />Randy

 

[Grant S]

Re: New boat project

Most marine paint companies make a primer surfacer which is a bit like the paint the bodyshop puts on a car to sand nice and smooth before the finish coat. Two or three of these coats would fill these cracks, and then the undercoat, and finally the topcoat by the same manufacturer in the colour of your choice.Try to think of painting as a system.<br /> Most paint companies publish data on the processes involved. <br />Google International Marine .com<br />good luck

 

[fleshfly]

Re: New boat project

Thanks. There are a two small areas, maybe 2x1 inch, where the surface of fiberglass hull is exposed. Paint over as well? I am planning to this in my garage, which can very cold. I live on the North Shore of Mass. Will low temps be a concern?

 

[fleshfly]

Re: New boat project

sorry for te typos.....

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: New boat project

Most paints require temps around or above 50 degrees or better. Maybe you'll want to wait until summer, or vent and heat your garage, be it possible.

 

[BillP]

Re: New boat project

I redid an old glass boat that had 100% deck crazed like that...really bad. A "show" paint job was too much work so I used West Marine's (made by International/Interlux)label primer and their one part poly paint (in semi-gloss white to help hide the imperfections). <br /><br />The primer was thinned 10% to fill cracks and brushed 2 coats with minimal sanding between. It would have taken another 4-6 coats of primer and days of hand sanding to fill the cracks. 2 topcoats of 10% thinned poly were brushed over the primer. I added approx 4oz of playground sand ($3 for 50lbs)to the final topcoat on the floor for nonskid. That took care of the "uglies" in the cockpit area. Up close you can still see the cracks but from 5' it looks nice.