Hull painting on Bayliner

[bass striker]

I got a question on painting a hull. Is using an automotive paint on the hull a good idea?

There are a few chips I want to repair in the hull and am in the process of bringin this boat back to new condition with changes of coarse.

I would imagine the same preperation steps apply before automotive painting, but is there a certian sealer that should be used?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Hull painting on Bayliner

If it is a boat that is going to be left in the water for extended periods automotive paint is not the best choice. Even marine refinishers don?t use marine paints below the waterline that are not designed for that use.
Marine paints are a better choice for trailer boats as well in my opinion because of durability. Automotive paints just wont hold up to sliding on and off a trailer very long.
This does not mean you cannot paint a boat with automotive paint, you can. After all, Corvettes are fiberglass. I just think marine paints are better because they are designed specifically for boats. Marine paints can be applied using common tools. They can be sprayed, but you can get excellent results using a brush and a roller. Again because they are designed for it.

No Strokes Here!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Hull painting on Bayliner

BTW- The prep is a little different in that you have to pay close attention to dewaxing and solvent washing prior to sanding. It is also a good idea to use marine fillers that wont soak water. (no Bondo)

Priming is going to depend on the paint system you use. I recommend using whatever primer you system calls for to seal the pores of the gelcoat. It is not necessarily for bonding. Its more for surfacing.

Dewax, solvent wash totally clean
sand to 220grit
repair, fill and fair smooth
sand again
prime
paint
done in a nutshell

Interlux 220 solvent wash
orbital sander
Interlux watertite filler
Interlux epoxy primekote (for two part paints) Pre-kote primer (one part paints)
Interlux Perfection (two part very durable) Interlux Brightside (one part good too)
Both paints designed for roller and brush (roll/tip method)
reference website
http://www.yachtpaint.com

 

[bass striker]

Re: Hull painting on Bayliner

One of my hobbies are custom auto painting, and any good paint job is the prep work. I was looking at using the House of Kolors UC-35 which is one of the toughest clearcoats I ever run across. If you don't wetsand it within the first 12 hrs it doesnt sand well it's like concrete.
Bondo is something I never use, Evercoat products is what I use mainly.
So if using an automotive paint do I use the primer you suggested or what I would normaly use with proper prep of gelcoat?

Thx for your help

 

[redfury]

Re: Hull painting on Bayliner

stick with the primer designed to be used under the paint you are using for the top coat. You never know what kind of chemical reactions you may get from using two different brands.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Hull painting on Bayliner

I would think that you would use the primer that HoK recommends for their paints. They may have some special product for fiberglass. I am sure they would have a recommendation. There are plenty of fiberglass parts on the aftermarket for cars that get painted with HoK paints. (would love a 32' Ford three window in dark blue myself) There is no special considerations for boat fiberglass. Boat fiberglass and car fiberglass are basically the same. Just make sure you get all the mold release wax off prior to doing anything. And if it is an old boat you never know how many coats of wax have been applied that may be hanging around. I recommend dewaxing no matter how old the boat is. Its just cheap insurance. Its a real pain to do all that work just to have it peel off going down the road on the trailer.

House of Kolor for info
http://www.houseofkolor.com/index.jsp?bypass=Y