How do you paint a boat?

[Sparta]

I have a '92 Chaparral 18' bowrider. It's white, and I've always thought of painting the sides below the rub rail. Can this be done? Is it like having the panel of a car painted? In fact, can an auto body shop do this work? If not then who?

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: How do you paint a boat?

The nice thing about the finish of a boat is that the gelcoat is several times thicker than the average auto paint job. If you get minor scratches in gelcoat they can be wet sanded and buffed out. With current paint technology you can spray either single stage or two part paint on a boat and get good results, it just will not have the thickness of the original gellcoat ( unless you want to put SEVERAL coats on). There is no reason that an auto paint shop couldn't do it, it requires similar surface prep and application. I would however ask for multiple coats to give you something to work with if it gets damaged by docking.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How do you paint a boat?

Ayuh,...............<br /><br />Boats are Painted Exactly the Same Way as autos.......<br /><br />I use 2pt. Automotive Ureathane paints,....... With Excellent Results...........