Boat painting questions

[JMack627]

Hey guys, my names Jon and I live in Daytona Beach, FL. I just bought a 14ft fiberglass boat that I love, however cosmetically it is a little rough. So I am hoping to paint the outside and inside of the boat and make it look like new. After searching the forums and doing as much googling as I can, I am still about to rip my hair out lol. I would appreciate it if anyone knows a good website with step by step instructions of how to start prepping the outside for painting, as well as a paint I could use. Thanks in advance!

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Boat painting questions

You'd do better by reading these for paint choices:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365756
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365710

As far as prep goes, it will vary by paint choice, but basically it involves cleaning the hull, sanding, cleaning, sanding, cleaning, sanding, cleaning, sanding... Well, you get the point... Oh, also filling scratches, dents, dings and the like!

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Thank you so much Dukesfin! I will definitely give those a good reading. I am going to hopefully take the boat to the marina and just ask the guy to look at it and tell me what to buy and how to do it lol. And also as you mentioned patching holes, there are tons of little holes from screws and stuff inside I want to fill. Can I use the same thing to patch the fiberglass holes, and the holes in the center console that seems to have a gel coat over it?

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Boat painting questions

yeah< depending on the paint you choose that manufacturer will more than likely have a filler they recommend. Or you can use peanut butter, which is what we used. paint job is 90% prep.

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Ok thrill and a "filler" is what I would use to patch the holes that range from maybe a small screw to the width of a pencil or a tad bigger?

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Boat painting questions

yes sir. If you have any big holes post up pics and someone will let you know how to fix it

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Awesome! Thanks so much, this has been so confusing. I have continued to search your forums but there is so many contradicting statements between members it is hard for me to come to a decision lol. The only big one I have is where the control panel used to be and I would like to cover it and install a new one that is a bit smaller. It's probably 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide. I will post a picture next week when I get home to it. I will definitely need your help

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Boat painting questions

For the larger "holes" like that of your old "control panel", usually you cut a piece of material like plywood to put in the hole, then glass it in. For the smaller holes like those screw holes, the "peanut butter" mixture works great.

As far as contradicting opinions go, be sure to read up on the finished product and the work that goes into each method. Sometimes people are not happy with a finish but they did not put enough effort in prep work to achieve the desired results and sometimes they misunderstood directions or what product claims truly are. For example, with Interlux Perfection topside paint, some people are surprised that you are not able to "buff out" blemishes like runs. While the product states you can't do it, some people are surprised "after the fact".

I think that what is most important is to find a project similar to yours on here, see if you like the "finished" project and follow their lead...

Good luck... Do you have any pictures? We LOVE pictures!!!

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Thanks Duke, I don't know what the peanut butter mixture is but I will look that up right after I post! As far as the painting goes, I am looking to spend as little as I can but on a good product. Not some $40 paint that looks terrible and peels off 3 months later. I will also paint the inside which is fiberglass and the console which appears to have a gel coat but I plan to just paint all of the topside white or off white. I am going to the Marina when I get back home to my boat in a week and I am going to bring the boat with me so I can hopefully have the guy come outside and tell me what I'll need. I plan on doing the prep work very very well since people can't seem to stress that enough. Thanks for everyone's input and I will be posting pics in a week of the project before I start! Also Duke, sorry but how to I keep the piece of wood in place before I would fiberglass over it? And does it have to be marine grade, or even covered in poly if it's going to be hidden under the fiberglass anyways...

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Boat painting questions

You can use tape on one side of the wood while you tab it in or you can cut it so it fits tightly, then glass it. There are many ways and that's just two of them...

Peanut butter is a mixture of resin (poly or epoxy) with fillers in it to thicken it. You can add cabosil, a few West systems, chopped strands of fiberglass (you can buy that stuff or chop your own out of scraps of cloth)... You mix it up to the consistency of peanut butter, then put it on.

You you check out my thread of the CABO I'm re-doing, I've got a zillion screw holes that I'm filling and I'll use epoxy resin and West System 404 high-density filler for the screw holes. For the 1" holes, I'll be laying CSM behind it, then "plugging the hole with numerous pieces or layers of CSM cut out the size of the hole, then a larger piece of CSM over the whole deal. For the rod-holder holes, I'm going to put plywood plugs in the holes, peanut butter them in, then glass them over on all sides...

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Thanks Duke for all your information! And that is a CRAZY project you've taken on but it looks great! Best of luck with it all man.

 

[Jim Salt]

Re: Boat painting questions

It depends on the type of paint you're planning to use, if you choose AwlGrip or something then you can get good info from their site - just google it! Read as much as you can about roll and tip, because it doesn't matter how much you read - you need to practice this art before you go for the real thing (assuming you're not going to try to spray it!) The real key is getting the right consistancy which will depend on the temperature where you are...Also be aware that many paints use a different thinner for spraying or rolling - don't use the wrong one by mistake!!!!!

 

[JMack627]

Re: Boat painting questions

Thank you Jim for your input! I have been in touch with an Interlux rep and he has been very helpful as far as the steps and what products to use. He recommends going with either there perfection brand or the less glossy but still acceptable brightside paint. Both are topside but for being kept on the trailer he says they will do just fine.