Boat paint job

[NFA]

Anyone have any idea what I'm looking at to get my boat completely repainted...just the outside hull, etc. It's full of scratches and scrapes and the colour is completely faded. I absolutely love the boat, runs fantastic, I just think it's time to give it some paint love. I'm in Vancouver, BC. Any idea on a cost, suggestions, referrals, etc?

Thanks!




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[Fireman431]

Re: Boat paint job

How about a little information on your boat? Is it a 16' runabout or a 42" Oceans flybridge motor yacht? A pic would be help ful as well.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Boat paint job

A lot depends on how much of the work you do yourself. A good paint job requred that all scratches and other defects be filled in and sanded smooth. The entire boat will need to be wet-sanded to 400 grit. Then it may be sprayed or whatever.
Marine paint can be US$40/qt

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: Boat paint job

About 10 years ago I totally rebuilt a 16 1/2 foot double consol Lund aluminum boat, that included outside paint. It deffinatly helps if you can remove any cleats, grab rails, windshield if need be, and if your good with a sander if you can sand out some of the scrathes. After that, leave the surface prep to the guy that's going to paint it.
I did not use any marine paint, , never knew there was such a thing. We used a brand called Omni, and being it was an aluminum boat we used a metal etching primer. Turned out wonderful!!
If your boat is under 20ft and all the guy has to do is paint, , one color and nothing exotic like candy apple red, I bet your looking at about at least $300.00 in paint, primer, cleaner, etc. and probable 3-4 hrs of labor. Call it $700.00.
It cost me about a 1/3rd of that cuz it pays to know people that can paint.

 

[sasada]

Re: Boat paint job

I have seen some aluminum boats look very nice by wrapping them. Believe its similar to vehicle wrapping. I saw an lund that was quite old wrapped with new graphics and all and thought it looked great. I thought about having mine dont but have yet to check into it.

 

[NFA]

Re: Boat paint job

Thanks for the updates guys, my apologies for not posting the specifics.

It's an 18' Maxum bowrider with a 150 Merc Optimax on the back, used mainly for cruising in the fresh and salt. I'm not so concerned with the hull being redone, but the section above the waterline is the most important, lookswise.

I'm not at home so can't post pics, but will do so as soon as possible.

I wouldn't be doing any of it myself, looking at hiring someone and getting them to do it all.





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[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat paint job

whether you go with high-end restoration, or something that looks good from across the lake, you should ask around the auto body shops for painting. At least around here, most do boats as well as cars.

You are going to have to choose between the high-end, great looking, expensive and hard to apply yacht paint like Alwgrip, or tractor paint, or rustoleum from the hardware store.

Likewise, you have to have the correct prep regardless of the paint job; you need the surface right, including primed if needed. As for filling scratches and dings (except those through the gel coat) it's no different than painting a house, car or furniture: how close to perfect does it need to be?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Boat paint job

Scratches that can't be sanded smooth can be filled with MarineTex filler and sanded out like an automotive filler. Wipe down after with Prep-Sol and clean tack rags. Awl Grip is a hard as nails marine paint, but can be either sprayed or rolled on. When rolling, it will have to be 'tipped' after ward with and almost dry flat roller. Check for how-to videos on YouTube. The paint takes anywhere from 8-10 hours to flash, depending on conditions. 2 coats will be required, but the final look is fantastic. No waxing needed after that...ever.

For an idea of what it will look like after, check my avatar.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boat paint job

Ipainted my alumium hull 3 years agao with regular automotive base/clear and it has held up really well, if I could manage to not hit the dock it woudl look alot better but the paint itself has done fine, this is a trailer boat so I don't know how it woudl do if you keep your boat in the water all the time.

Point being don't be afraid to look into an auto body shop and I would geuss a price from $1000-$1500 and I woudl reccomned you remove and tid bits from the baot yourself, that will drop the bill a bit.