bilge repair and paint

[lowshovel1]

OK, got my engine rebuilt, painted and ready to install. A power washed the bilge and found two<br />places that need repair -- about two inches in diameter and raised up about a quarter inch. I have been<br />searching previous posts on this subject and to be honest with you, I'm lost. <br />I have never worked with fiberglass and am confused with the different procedures.<br />If someone could give me some advice on the correct way to repair this and also recommend<br />a good quality paint for the bilge area, it would be appreciated.<br /> thank you for your help in advance, I'll attach a few pictures<br />of the bilge area, not sure whether you'll be able to see the damage or not.

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

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[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

What's wrong with the pic posting lowshovel?

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/lowshovel1/IM000477.jpg

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/lowshovel1/IM000476.jpg

 

[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

You talkin about the black area in the first foto. can't see any anomolies in the second except the start of the black area on the far left edge of the pic.<br /><br />Can't tell the extent of deterioration in that area. can you see evidence on the outside?

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

outside looks fine,looked real close, thanks for the quick reply Boomyal,hard to get good pics-----the black part is old paint---can't see the bubbles in pics

 

[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

I'll recheck it.<br /><br />Sorry lowshovel, I can't see bubbles. However I do not think that they are uncommon in hulls that have been formed with a chopper gun. Maybe they are not a problem. Maybe they have been there since near the beginning?

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

very posable,I tapped all around with a plastic mallet with no diference in sound.Any suggestions on on prep and paint?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

It really depends on how fine a finish you are looking for. At minimum, I would thoroughly degrease with a caustic cleaner and rinse and dry thoroughly. Put a heater and a cover to dry out any pockets of water that would be held.<br /><br />You can fill any gross imperfections with with putty that you could get from a boat shop. It would be best if you could rough everything up with a mildly coarse brush. Then vacuum any dust. <br /><br />There are tons of paint to choose from. The hardiest ones are going to be the most expensive. You don't need a catalytic paint but something like Interlux brightsides works great and sticks like glue, if you prepped the surface right, AND stands up to water and oil. You do not need to prime glass for Interlux.<br /><br />I'd spray it on, not brush or roll it. You can get a cheap spray gun:<br /><br /> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43760 <br /><br />... and believe me it will come out better than brushing or rolling.<br /><br />

<br /><br />If you go that route I would give you tips on spraying. No point in going thru it now.

 

[tr918]

Re: bilge repair and paint

Boom, did you spray the bilge area? Nice job!

 

[garrett61]

Re: bilge repair and paint

boom how big a compressor did you use? ive allways heard ill need 60+ gal to paint my boat

 

[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

Originally posted by TR918:<br /> Boom, did you spray the bilge area? Nice job!

Yes I did TR. I don't know how you'd roll or brush that interlux, it starts to tack so quickly. For spraying it is great, tacking up quickly keeps it from running and allows you to load it on.<br /><br />Garret, I sprayed it with a an HVLP gun, using a 3.5 hp compressor, putting out 8.5 cfm @ 40 psi with a 20 gal tank. Depending on the size of the boat it would have been adequate. For the area I sprayed, it was a piece o cake.

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: bilge repair and paint

degrese and scrape--wire brush--vacume--wipe down--shoot Interlux with my primer gun.got ya,I'll post pics when complete----thanks Boomyal

 

[Boomyal]

Re: bilge repair and paint

Originally posted by lowshovel1:<br /> degrese and scrape--wire brush--vacume--wipe down--shoot Interlux with my primer gun.got ya,I'll post pics when complete----thanks Boomyal

Cover everything you don't want sprayed real well. That binks style syphon gun will throw paint all over the place but it will work real well. After all, many a fine auto paint job has been done with those guns.