Gel coat or paint?

[CLL2437]

I started working on my boat today; marking all the areas that need to be repaired. I found there were a lot of spots that need gel coat. The color of the boat is a light tan that Glastron used to use. I don’t want to try to color match the original color but instead make the boat a gloss white. I have plenty of time to work on this boat so time is not really a concern. I just don’t want to spend all my time on it though. I was thinking of fixing all the scratches and small chips with gel coat, first. Then, I was either going to gel coat the whole boat (24’ deep v) or paint it with a good paint that can withstand saltwater. After a lot of web searching I found a few places that claim to have “marine” paint. I just wanted some feed back from you all before I make a move. What do you think would be the better idea? This is just a starter boat for me nothing too fancy but I want to make it look nice without breaking the bank.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Hi. I'm learning like you, but the consensus I've always seen here or anywhere else has been that gel coat is the way to go. It's not cheap, but it's as close as you're probably going to get to saltwater resistant. It's very time consuming, though, and most people that have redone their boats have talked about spending every weekend for a month on it. I had grand plans of painting mine, too. I still may, but after reading some of the other threads here, I'm a lot more likely to do everything in my power to restore what I have first. Whatever you do, good luck.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

I am in the same place. But I decided to Paint my deck (above the water line). In my case, the original gel coat on my 1964 Glassmaster is so thin that the base black fiberglass is showing. After reading what mixed results people got with Gel coat I then read up on paint. The consensus seems to be that paint is good above the waterline. With good prep work and a good quality paint, the paint looks great for like 10 years<br /><br />I will be using gelcoat on my hull, but just for soem patches here and there

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to finish your boat so it is watertight is to do the fiberglass work, prime with a water barrier, and then paint with one-part polyurethane. The one-part is easiest to apply and will look shiny. It’s not really much more effort to use two-part polyurethane and it’s tougher, shiner, and lasts longer. Gel coat is even more durable and a little shinier than two-part polyurethane. A lot of people can’t tell the difference between two-part and gel. Gel coat is not necessary. Done right, any of these finishes looks good; all of them are designed as a watertight barrier for fiberglass.<br /><br />All of you guys should contact/call Interlux and ask them to send you a copy of their Boat Painting Guide. It’s free!!! And it will tell you the steps and products necessary to finish each part of your boat (bilge, topside, hull, cabin interior). You don’t have to use Interlux products but they make good stuff. The parent company also owns Awl Grip, an excellent 2-part polyurethane finish for boats.<br /><br /> Interlux

 

[CLL2437]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

I have been looking at the Interlux web site and read at about the paint. I see that it can be applied with a brush and or roller but it doesn’t state if it can be sprayed on.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

The only question I have ever had is if the 2 part can be left in the water for extended periods. I originally wanted to paint my project, but have been under the impression that there is nothing except bottom paint and gelcoat that can actually last submerged for an entire season. For that reason I had simply not bothered to paint or re-gel. Otherwise, I would like to refinish my hull, but it isn't a huge priority.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Originally posted by CLL2437:<br /> I have been looking at the Interlux web site and read at about the paint. I see that it can be applied with a brush and or roller but it doesn’t state if it can be sprayed on.

You can spray it. It would need to be thinned with an automotive reducer thinner. But for hulls and other broad surfaces you really should roll and tip it. <br /><br />I am going to use Interlux on my bilge and all surfaces behind my rear seat bulkheads. Because of all the rough surfaces, angles and other irregularities, I will spray it.

 

[CLL2437]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

I wouldn’t mind using a roller to apply it, but will it leave a smooth finish? I am trying to get the boat to look good and I don’t really want brush or roller marks.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Originally posted by CLL2437:<br /> I wouldn’t mind using a roller to apply it, but will it leave a smooth finish? I am trying to get the boat to look good and I don’t really want brush or roller marks.

I've not used the paint yet, but it is my understanding that applying with a roller, followed by tipping with a brush results in a glass smooth finish. This link is a bit of a read, but worth it.<br /><br /> http://www.triton381.com/projects/restoration/hullpaint.htm

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> ... it is my understanding that applying with a roller, followed by tipping with a brush results in a glass smooth finish.

Yes, it does, without streaks. If you do a search for pix of Thom's boat you can see what 2-part Awl Grip looks like rolled/brushed.

 

[captainomalley]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Originally posted by CLL2437:<br /> I started working on my boat today; marking all the areas that need to be repaired. I found there were a lot of spots that need gel coat. The color of the boat is a light tan that Glastron used to use. I don’t want to try to color match the original color but instead make the boat a gloss white. I have plenty of time to work on this boat so time is not really a concern. I just don’t want to spend all my time on it though. I was thinking of fixing all the scratches and small chips with gel coat, first. Then, I was either going to gel coat the whole boat (24’ deep v) or paint it with a good paint that can withstand saltwater. After a lot of web searching I found a few places that claim to have “marine” paint. I just wanted some feed back from you all before I make a move. What do you think would be the better idea? This is just a starter boat for me nothing too fancy but I want to make it look nice without breaking the bank.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[captainomalley]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

I have a similar question about whether to gel coat or paint. Is there any way I can read the replies to your question? I am new to this website.

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

OK CLL. I've had a lot of time to read up on this. I'm in the Navy, expecting to be at sea for at least the next 3 1/2 months, and most of the past month, and trying to put my down time to good use. That's actually how I ended up here in the 1st place. Specifically, in answer to your original question, this is what I have found. Boomyal's right on about Interlux. They're expensive, but they are reputed to be excellent. Chances are, that means that they have good customer service, too. Gel coat can be matched to almost any color, including the tan from your boat. If you want to go to white, though, there are a lot of threads on restorations just from within the last month that will tell you step by step how to do it. If you email me directly....foster.james@lincoln.navy.mil , I will email you the step by step procedures to paint a boat, as I have researched them. They're nothing you can't get by reading here, though. I've no more experience actually doing it than you do, though, so you'll have to do some research too, and maybe you can help me with my paint job when I'm home to do it. As to the question of different paints, I'm still under the impression that gel coat provides the best protection agains salt water. In reading, it seems to go on thicker, and provide a tougher barrier for your boat. It can be sprayed, after thinning. There are also Gel coat guns out there. They aren't cheap, but I've yet to see anything that was if the word "Marine" was attached to it.

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

OK CLL. I've had a lot of time to read up on this. I'm in the Navy, expecting to be at sea for at least the next 3 1/2 months, and most of the past month, and trying to put my down time to good use. That's actually how I ended up here in the 1st place. Specifically, in answer to your original question, this is what I have found. Boomyal's right on about Interlux. They're expensive, but they are reputed to be excellent. Chances are, that means that they have good customer service, too. Gel coat can be matched to almost any color, including the tan from your boat. If you want to go to white, though, there are a lot of threads on restorations just from within the last month that will tell you step by step how to do it. If you email me directly....foster.james@lincoln.navy.mil , I will email you the step by step procedures to paint a boat, as I have researched them. They're nothing you can't get by reading here, though. I've no more experience actually doing it than you do, though, so you'll have to do some research too, and maybe you can help me with my paint job when I'm home to do it. As to the question of different paints, I'm still under the impression that gel coat provides the best protection agains salt water. In reading, it seems to go on thicker, and provide a tougher barrier for your boat. It can be sprayed, after thinning. There are also Gel coat guns out there. They aren't cheap, but I've yet to see anything that was if the word "Marine" was attached to it.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Think Awl Grip. It is the best marine paint made but be prepared for sticker shock.<br /><br />Gel coat is not waterproof, if it was there would be no such thing as hull blistering. Even the 2-part paints are not water proof either and none of them is designed for use below the waterline. There are however 2-part paints that are not conventional anti-fouling types that can be used below the water line and make for an attractive finish. <br /><br />You can not immagine at this moment how much more labor intensive a re-gel coat job is going to be. I would never even consider it for a boat that size.<br /><br />If you do a search you can find a series of three pictures of the refinishing of our boat (a 23-foot walk-around) in Awl Grip. The first photo shows the boat when early repairs were being made, the second when it has been covered in several coats of primer, and then a third picture showing the finished color coat (white in my case) on the hull. The finish is better than the majority of factory gel coats even though it was applied by roller and not tipped. Its just a matter of paying attention.<br /><br />If you decide to do your boat in one of the 2 part paints I would certainly recommed one of the systems approach paints, be it Interlux or Awl Grip. Also, shoot me an E-Mail and I'll walk you through the whole process including my "lessons learned". You can have a better than new looking boat if you put the time in, but its a lot of work. Oh, the durability of Awl Grip, and I presume Interlux too, is at least as good and maybe better than gel coat.<br /><br />Thom

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Fwiw, both 2-part marine polyurethane finishes (Interlux and Awl Grip) are owned by the same parent company. Interlux is made in England, Awl Grip is made in the US. As for which 2-part poly coat is better, Powerboat Reports thinks it depends on the color. If you are painting your boat WHITE, definitely go with the Interlux, better price, better coverage, and better appearance after 2-years (score 14). If you want BLUE, go with Epifanes* (score 16). For the color BLUE, Interlux, Awl Grip, or Polagard AG were all equal with a final score of 12.<br /><br />For price comparison;<br />Awl Grip $75/qt<br />Epifanes $54.30/750ml<br />Interlux Plus** $49/qt<br />Polargard $30/qt.<br /><br />Of course, shop the net! However, the lowest price I found for Interlux white was at a local retailer…even with taxes.<br /><br />*Of the 39 marine finishes Powerboat Reports evaluated, no other manufacture rated as high as the BLUE Epifanes 2-part polyurethane finish. Its gloss retention was better than Interlux, Awl Grip or Polargard. Its coverage was better than Awl Grip or Polargard. Epifanes 2-part poly coat in RED also rated a 16, but their WHITE only rated a 12.<br /><br />**The Interlux 2-part polyurethane product, ‘Interthane Plus’, has been replaced with the new product ‘Perfection’. The only difference is a change in the mix ratio that lends Perfection to an easier application. Otherwise, no difference.<br /><br />Note: this is based on Powerboat Reports extensive 2-year evaluation. If interested, you should get yourself a copy of the January 2004 issue, which has the final results of the evaluation.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

18Rabbit,<br /><br />I will have to get hold of a copy of that article. I have just plain given up on Power Boat Reports though. For reasons that I have never understood I do not get my copies after I suscribe. I think that out of my last subscription only 2 copies ever actually arrived at the house, and its been that way with earlier subscriptions I've had as well.<br /><br />Anyway I thought it might be of some value to post a picture:<br /><br />This is after the last coat of Awl Grip, applied with a roller, no tipping:<br /><br />

 

[BillP]

Re: Gel coat or paint?

Gelcoat is the most durable and most difficult to redo. It is sprayed on with any gun/nozzle that will carry the fluid. Even when thinned it is thicker than paints. You spray it on (approx 30 mils thick)in one continous layer and sand, compound and polish to get the gloss. It is way more work than painting. <br /><br />I wouldn't change the color if painting. Even the best 2 part polys are paper thin and can be scratched down to the layer below. Whatever color is below will show...and touching up 2 part poly is tedious and hard to do without it showing. Gelcoat is better in this regard as it doesn't damage as easy...scratches can be easily buffed out. Interlux, Imron, Awlgrip, Sterling, etc, it doesn't matter which brand, they aren't as tough as gelcoat.