Fiberglass painting 101

[monstermash]

Guys, I just bought an old Traveler Atlas fiberglass boat that I want to fix up, My only problem is I have no experience in this. Can someone give me a good step by step on the painting process including tips on: what kind of paint for top and bottom, what conditions I can paint in, how to fixed drilled holes, primer or not, roll and tip, and surface prep? I have a lot of power tools at my disposal, I just need some knowledge. Any info would be greatly apppreciated.

 

[DJ]

Re: Fiberglass painting 101

monstermash,<br /><br />As far as painting goes. Go to these websites.<br /><br />www.westmarine.com<br /><br />www.pettitpaint.com<br /><br />Both offer many painting tips.

 

[bidlimit]

Re: Fiberglass painting 101

I used Petit Easypoxy to paint my boat. I rolled and tipped the finish, meaning that one guy rolled out the paint and another smoothed it with a brush. I filled all of my small screw holes with Bondo or an epoxy putty stick from the hardware stores. On bigger repairs in sections of fiberglass that flexed, I used fiberglass cloth or tape underneath the hole and then used thickened epoxy to fill the hole. By the way, on all of my screw holes I first dished out the top of the hole with a 60 degree countersink chucked in a drill. This prevents the patch from popping through the hole.

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: Fiberglass painting 101

the biggest job is going to be preparing the surface, and you can make that a whole lot easier by using one of the new water based strippers- they don't burn exposed skin,no fumes, biodegradable and they don't damage the gelcoat.Spray it on, lay down landscaping cloth[porous, to catch the paint particles, letting the waterbased stripper go through- it's biodegradable so it can go into the drain]then power wash off.Sure reduces the sanding.<br />ICI distributes it under the brand name ''HydroStrip''or check out the manufacturer's website www.napierenvironmental.com