Fiberglass boat confusion

[petejung]

I've been reading many posts on fiberglass and painting, and I'm getting more and more confused.<br /><br />I'm getting a boat from a guy... The boat is a 12' fiberglass jon boat. He told me that he suggested it be "clear coated" as when he grabs a hold of the boat with his hands, he gets itchy, so some fibers must be exposed or something.<br /><br />I don't really care about getting the boat to shine up or anything, I'm probably going to camo the boat at some point anyway... My question is what can I use that is readily available at Walmart or Home Depot, Lowes to "seal" this fiberglass back up? Can I just paint it? My main goal is to make it "comfortable" for others to ride in, i.e. no itches.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[chuckz]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

I used Rustoleum Topsider paint to seal the fiberglass on a small youth canoe. It worked well. It is available at Loews and Home Depot.<br /><br />There are probably other fiberglasss paints available, but this is what I found. I had white paint tinted to a color I liked.

 

[petejung]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

L.I. Chuck -<br /><br />Thanks! Is that in a spray or brush on?

 

[chuckz]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

It can be applied however you like. It does not come in a spray can. I bought it in a one quart can. It was much more paint than I needed.<br /><br />I should mention that I applied it to the inside of the canoe where the sun had boiled off the resin. I did not paint over gel coat.

 

[petejung]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

I'm assuming that what I need to do would be on the inside of the boat, as well.<br /><br />I'm just hoping that Lowes or HD in Cincinnati carry this type of paint...

 

[chuckz]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

I had the paint tinted tan. That way it wasn't like sitting in the middle of a reflector oven.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

I used gray rustoleum in my 14'er fiberglass Shell Lake. Rolled it, looks nice and has held up for almost five years now.

 

[captaindarian]

Re: Fiberglass boat confusion

Hi,<br />You can also use a epoxy resin and tint it to whatever color you want. Gelcoat tint works well. You would have to sand it smooth after but lasts a lifetime. polyester resin can be tinted as well.