Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

[Allmand]

Hello,
I have an old 24ft Allmand Cabing cruiser. SOLID fiberglass, built like a tank (A fiberglass tank). The gel coat on the floor of the boat is covered with very tiny spider web cracks. I have read a lot on the forums about re-doing this. But most post are way too involved.

I am not looking to do something that will last for years. Is there just some kind of paint that sticks to gelcoat that I could you to paint the floor? I expect to sand a little, clean the surface, etc. But not interested in diving too deep into the repiar. Mainly this only cosmetic.

Any ideas on a paint that would stick for a season or so on the gel to hide the spider web cracks??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Welcome to iBoats!

Sure!!!.. Sand it with 60 grit. Wipe her clean with Acetone. Paint with Rustoleum Premium Industrial Oil Based. Throw a little sand on it while its wet. Let it dry for 24 hours. Give her another coat and you're good to go. It'll last 3-5 years and look GREAT!!! Farm & Tractor supply makes a hardener for the paint if you want to make it even better.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Without any pics its hard to tell what type of cracking it is, so if possible post some pics.

The problem with just painting over cracked gel coat is that instead of a cracked gel coat surface to look at, you will soon have a cracked painted gel coat surface to look at. Unless the cracks are fixed, the paint used over them will typically crack rather soon.

You could try a flexible product like Durabak, it won't crack like paint.

 

[Allmand]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Thanks to the both of you for the tips...I will be getting off work here shortly and will post a few pics of the cracking.

So if you can, check back in a couple hours to view the pics.

Thanks again!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

I can almost say for sure that this ( old ) gel is going to have to be Completely removed or sanded..clean and prepsol .. and apply some of the Durabek product like Ond suggested.

Paint is NOT going to bridge the cracks and hold up very long IMHO.. you need something thick and flexible.

But..I digress.. I would like to see some pics.

YD.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

I am not looking to do something that will last for years. Is there just some kind of paint that sticks to gelcoat that I could you to paint the floor? I expect to sand a little, clean the surface, etc. But not interested in diving too deep into the repiar. Mainly this only cosmetic.

Any ideas on a paint that would stick for a season or so on the gel to hide the spider web cracks??

Well, I based MY answer on These comments, NOT on a PERMANENT solution, but rather on a down and dirty QUICKIE solution, just like the OP asked for. I still think Good ole' Rusty will do EXACTLY what he asked for!!!

 

[Allmand]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Hey folks, sorry it took so long to get pics. I got caught up with other honey do's. That is a penny next to the cracks for size reference. This is the way the entire back deck looks like. Again, I am not looking for a total re-do, long lasting, "do it right" fix. I just want to rig something up to make it look good for a season or too. Any ideas????

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

I STILL think my FIRST post is GOOD! #1 KEY is to wash her down GOOD with A good house hold cleaner and water after you have sanded her. Let her Dry for a couple of days, then wash her again with acetone. I would Thin the first coat or rustoleum by 50% with acetone. This will allow it to flow into the cracks. Apply Sand if you want non skid. Let the first coat dry for a 8hrs. Can says 24 hrs but the acetone really speeds up the drying process. If you did NOT make it non skid, then sand the first coat lightly with 180 grit and put on a FULL strength coat of Rusty. You'll like the results I'm sure. It'll take a Week for the Full Coat to fully cure.


30 bucks a gallon @ Home Depot.

 

[Allmand]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Thanks Woodonglass...I will be going with your suggestion. Just to make sure, this is the order:

1. Sand her down
2. Wash thouroughly
3. Let dry for a few days
4. Wash the deck down with acetone (I assume with a sponge or something, I have never worked with acetone??)
5. First coat = 50% rusto-50% acetone.
6. Let dry for at least 8hrs
7. Apply thick coat of 100% rusto
8. Wait a week for full cure.

Correct???

I STILL think my FIRST post is GOOD! #1 KEY is to wash her down GOOD with A good house hold cleaner and water after you have sanded her. Let her Dry for a couple of days, then wash her again with acetone. I would Thin the first coat or rustoleum by 50% with acetone. This will allow it to flow into the cracks. Apply Sand if you want non skid. Let the first coat dry for a 8hrs. Can says 24 hrs but the acetone really speeds up the drying process. If you did NOT make it non skid, then sand the first coat lightly with 180 grit and put on a FULL strength coat of Rusty. You'll like the results I'm sure. It'll take a Week for the Full Coat to fully cure.


30 bucks a gallon @ Home Depot.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

You got it! Use a respirator when sanding and using the acetone. Other than that you're good to go. Use a short nap roller and it'll be smooth as glass.

 

[Allmand]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Sweet! I really appreciate the advice.

You got it! Use a respirator when sanding and using the acetone. Other than that you're good to go. Use a short nap roller and it'll be smooth as glass.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Ok.. Im going to play devils advocate here ( dont worry Im very good at that here on Iboats ).

If your not really worried about How it looks..and just want to get a season or two out of it.

Why not just a quick install of some I/O carpet ( light tack ) on the deck ?

I mean .. this boat is a Solid glass boat ( wont hurt to carpet for a few years ).

Just thinking ..

YD.

 

[Allmand]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Its funny, because after going to Home depot and looking at the different products I would need (sander, acetone, brushes, rollers, paint, and lots of time) and the price started creeping up over what I am willing to spend. I went over and looked at flooring dept. Nothing I saw would work really. But they have these HUGE industrial black floor mats....the kind at the entrance of grocery stores. They are anly $18. I am thinking about buying two, one for the open area of the floor and then cut the second one into 4 sections to cover the corners of the floor. What do ya think? My only concern was the black getting hot in the sun, but it is a soft floor mat material on top and rubber backing, so I dont think it would get hot to the touch like a black sheet of rubber would. Plus, it would be nice to have a dark floor to absorb some of the light on those bright sunny days when your boat is bright white! You think that would work?

Ok.. Im going to play devils advocate here ( dont worry Im very good at that here on Iboats ).

If your not really worried about How it looks..and just want to get a season or two out of it.

Why not just a quick install of some I/O carpet ( light tack ) on the deck ?

I mean .. this boat is a Solid glass boat ( wont hurt to carpet for a few years ).

Just thinking ..

YD.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

I have to go with YD on this one, sorry Wood, if it's only short term cosmetic, then indoor/outdoor carpet will make it look really nice, and it'll last several years.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Well, If you have to buy a sander then Yup, that would be Cheaper, BETTER??? not so sure, but Cheaper YUP??? With out the sander, you can paint it for less than $60.00 bucks for the paint and the rest of the materials. Not sure what the Carpet would set you back.

Oh, did I mention that I HATE carpet in boats!!!

Sorry CAD!!!!

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Oh, did I mention that I HATE carpet in boats!!!

Sorry CAD!!!!

Not a problem, I'm not crazy about carpet either but it sure looks good and covers a lot really quick.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Yep, and it IS easy on the Old FEET!!!! Sooooo... Back to the OP's original question would the Black Rubber Mats work, I think so. Might be a bit slippery when wet, HOT, could be, but there's always a trade off isn't there???? Hey for $40 bucks what the heck, give it a go and see if you like em, if not, put em in your garage!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Yep, and it IS easy on the Old FEET!!!! Sooooo... Back to the OP's original question would the Black Rubber Mats work, I think so. Might be a bit slippery when wet, HOT, could be, but there's always a trade off isn't there???? Hey for $40 bucks what the heck, give it a go and see if you like em, if not, put em in your garage!

Im sure he is talking about rubber backed carpet treading .. not just rubberized material ..

A quick rinse off with some water will make that black cool off fast. Just keep a small bucket on hand if it gets too hot.

BTW.. when you cool off the black carpet on a boating trip..it will cool you off as well ( vapor cooling if you will .. unless your in a high humid area ) .

YD.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gelcoat Question -- Can it just be painted??

Ayuh,... In this situation,... I'm thinkin' drop in floor covering is the right answer...
I'd hunt for a different color though...

For a 5 or 10 year deck, I'd go with a rubberized roll-on bedliner type product,..

In ANYTHING other than Black...