more paint questions

[sandwichestime]

first off, as sort of a background to what i am ultimately hoping the out come of this is, my expectations are not too grand. im not looking to be on the cover of a magazine, or even to have people compliment me all the time. i just want a good 5 foot paint job. you know, the kind that looks good from five feet away. the kind of paint job that isnt peeling, but has some issues upon closer inspection.<br /><br />so ive decided to use the interlux perfection as my paint, as it is reasonable in price and im going to use the roll ande tip method becauswe i dont have a sprayer. <br /><br />my question is: on the interlux website, it tells me that i cannot paint overtop of original boat paint - which i have. and it recommends that i strip it off with interlux paint stripper.<br /><br />do i have to get ALL the paint off with a scraper? or can i just sand it down, clean it well, and use a primer?<br /><br />if so, what primer should i use? if not, should i use the interlux paint stripper, or is home depot stuff good enough?

 

[Rick K]

Re: more paint questions

You don't mention the type of boat you have; aluminum, fiberglass, wood... <br /><br />In any event, no, you can't just paint over the old finish, unless you want that 5 foot paint job to look good for about 5 months!<br /><br />Do a search here in the forums on painting, i.e., "painting aluminum boat" or "painting fiberglass" - you'll get everything you need and more, to make your finish a ONE foot paint job!<br /><br />Good Luck<br />Rick

 

[sandwichestime]

Re: more paint questions

sorry, its fiberglass.<br /><br />its just that i know that painting is 80% prep work, but id rather sand a boat than strip it with a scraper.<br /><br />o well.

 

[RRitt]

Re: more paint questions

IN my unprofessional opinion. frig interlux and their $300 paints. treat it like a car. Cars sit out in the sun, get rained on, and have rocks thrown up from the road all the time. They suffer way more than a boat and generally last longer.<br /><br />if the orinal paint is in good shape but dull then find out if it melts with laquer thinner. If not, then buy a $3 can of clear spray laquer and shoot a small area. If the shine comes back then you're in for an easy ride. Wipe off the the laquer test coat with laquer thinner. then get some automotive clear coat with hardener. You can get a gallon of it for $60ish to $300ish. If you pick the $60ish (nissan) over the $300ish (mercedes) and you aren't too picky about a perfect finish ... then ace hardware laquer thinner will do fine as a reducer. Harbor freight tools sells a nice little touch-up gun for $15 and a respirator mask for $20. It'll be cheaper, look way better, and last longer than anything you can brush or roll on. Beg, borrow, or steal an air compressor. If it's not a fancy one then get a $5 inline water trap from the paint store because condensation will cause fish-eye spots that can't be fixed. Prep the boat with a good wash followed by a wipe down with a good grease remover like acrilaclear. #400 wet sand if needed for extra adhesion but be careful not to rub through color coat. Then shoot away with clear coat. If you want color, then do same with something like dupont nasan, PPG omni, or centari.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: more paint questions

Bright side will give you a finish that if prept right will look like a high dollar paint job for about $120.. Its a one step paint and looks great from afar and close up......... Ohh and you can paint over old paint with it unlike perfection.

 

[sandwichestime]

Re: more paint questions

brightside sounds good, except it says its for "above the waterline". does anyone have any experience putting this on a hull?

 

[fishingdan]

Re: more paint questions

All marine paints that I know of are for above the waterline only. This means that the painted area shouldn't be in constant contact with the water for more than 3-5 days. If you trailer your boat, you can use the top-side paint on all surfaces without any problem. <br /><br />If you plan to keep it submerged, apply the color top coat to the areas above the water line and then use an epoxy barrier coat + bottom paint for below the water line. <br /><br />Perfection is a very good 2-part paint. As you noted prep is the key. Regardless of which paint you choose, use the complete system from the same manufacturer. For example, Perfection should be applied over Interlux Prime Kote primer and you need to use the recommended thinners/solvents. <br /><br />The Interlux website has a ton of information. They have specific instructions for just about every scenario including applying over previously painted surfaces. I would do what they say. I believe that you can sand old paint off or use a stripper followed by sanding.

 

[sandwichestime]

Re: more paint questions

ok, im definitely leaning towards brightside now, i was confused as to what "above the waterline" meant. <br /><br />anybody have any idea how many quarts an 18 ft bowrider would take? i plan on painting at least down to the chines, as im not sure whether or not i can flip the boat to get to the hull.