Re: 15 Holiday Transom redo, also Hull ID Question.
If you want to paint using a spray gun here's your steps
1. Strip off old paint, or sand down any spots where the old paint is peeling. Most people use airplane stripper which you can get at an automotive store. just paint it on and the paint will wipe off.
2. Prime any exposed aluminum with an etching primer,(most people just get a rattlecan) if your just painting over existing paint you don't need to prime it.
3. Spray your paint on. I did quite a bit of research and found most people online recommended acrylic enamel paint.
4. let it dry. If you have a lot of orange peel and paint imperfections you're gonna want to wet sand it down with 800 grit. do this till it feels smooth, now you can spray on your next coat. if it seems too bumpy and you want it smoother I wouldn't use anything less than 1500 grit its very hard to get out.
5. Wait a week or so for the paint to completely dry before you buff it out with a cutting compound.
Below is a pic of my bow after i wet sanded it, I taped off a section to see the difference before and after buffing
If you want a mirror finish some people say to put a coat of clear on top. This is what I did, and it looks great, however the paint without a clear still looks great too.
I'm sure someone else will chine in on roller painting.