Paint and Fiberglass repair

[FuddleyPJones]

I'm in the throws of tearing down a 17' fiberglass boat that has been sitting uncovered in the New Mexico sun for several years and I have some questions.

1) There is an oxidized layer on the surface of the whole boat that comes off with a lot of elbow grease and rubbing compound. The result is a shinier surface. Is this paint or is it a gel coat that I am looking at? The surface has checking on it and the rubbing compound gets into these small cracks and greatly magnifies the apperance of these tiny cracks.
1a) Does the checking mean that I need a new gel/paint coat?
1b) Can one paint over the small checking or does it have to be completely sanded past the checking?
1c) What kind of paint would one use to paint a boat?

Part of the boat has a stripe all the way around it with silver glitter in it. The glitter is embeded in the coating. Again - is this paint or gel coat? Can it also be painted over?

This is a low budget project and I ain't plannin' on entering it in the fair so is it possible to paint my own boat? What kind of paint? What kind of surface prep is needed?

I was back at the stern in the bilge area and notice that there are several areas that the wood surrounding the gas tank is rotten towards the bottom - but nothing that is structural. I also noticed that the small wood beam running from stearn to bow has fiberglass peeling away )just the last foot by the transome) and the wood is wet but not rotten. Can I reseal this wood? should I use only fiberglass or can I use a tar or rubber sealant to cover and seal this wood as well as the area of the bilge?

 

[saildan]

Re: Paint and Fiberglass repair

There is an oxidized layer on the surface of the whole boat that comes off with a lot of elbow grease and rubbing compound. The result is a shinier surface.

Is this paint or is it a gel coat that I am looking at?

Can?t say absolutely without seeing ? pictures would be helpful. It sounds like gelcoat.

Gelcoat is fiberglass (polyester) resin formulated as a top coat for looks so instead of reinforcing fibers it has colorant.

Like paint, it dries and oxidizes and cracks. Difference is gelcoat is laid on 0.020? thick, paint is roughly 0.002? per layer 2 to 3 layers typically ? add two more for metallic finishes w/ a clear coat.

Gelcoat is intended to be heavily compounded a couple times before it gets renewed ? it?s one reason it put on thick.

The surface has checking on it and the rubbing compound gets into these small cracks and greatly magnifies the apperance of these tiny cracks.

1a) Does the checking mean that I need a new gel/paint coat?

1b) Can one paint over the small checking or does it have to be completely sanded past the checking?

1c) What kind of paint would one use to paint a boat?

a) Depends how deep they go.

b) No, paint just bridges the hairline cracks and they reappear within weeks.
The thing to do is sand down to where the cracking is reduced to barely noticeable ripples. Then you prime with a high-build primer to fair over the irregularities and sand the primer smooth. Now it?s ready to paint.

For small areas of cracking ? not from damage to the underlying fiberglass ? you can widen the cracks from hairline to roughly a 64th or better wide. Then they?ll fill with fairing compound and sand for painting.

You can have the hull re-gelcoated. A 17? boat ? outer hull only will probably run ~$800 to $2000 depending on how much prep you leave for the boatyard to do. Do it yourself and you save $400 on labor but need to invest $500 - $1000 in specialized spray equipment. And it takes lots of practice to get good ? nothing like your average spray painting.

c) Pettit, Interlux, Imron Marine, more ?
Check what your marine supplier sells or look over the paints on-line at West Marine, Defender Marine, or Jamestown Distributors.

Part of the boat has a stripe all the way around it with silver glitter in it. The glitter is embeded in the coating. Again - is this paint or gel coat? Can it also be painted over?

From a text description ? who knows? I?d figure it?s gelcoat and prep it the same. But, if it sands away quick in the prep process ? it was just paint.

This is a low budget project and I ain't plannin' on entering it in the fair so is it possible to paint my own boat? What kind of paint? What kind of surface prep is needed?

If you haven?t got the money to do the basics right the first time, the second time ? in the next year or two will eat you alive.

Prep is about the same for the types of paint ? oil or poly. But ? BUT - each brand has its own twists and recommended solvents and primers. You gotta follow what the paint you select says in order to get the longest lasting, best looking results.

Get a good book for $20 on boat refinishing. All the small steps and details are too much to write here. The thread would go on for months with a bunch of oh yeah ? you need this sandpaper too, and acetone, and a sanding block, and ? and ? and. Between a 200 page restoration book and the paint material instructions off the company?s web site you?ll have everything right in front of you to mull over and plan your steps from.

I was back at the stern in the bilge area and notice that there are several areas that the wood surrounding the gas tank is rotten towards the bottom - but nothing that is structural. I also noticed that the small wood beam running from stearn to bow has fiberglass peeling away )just the last foot by the transom) and the wood is wet but not rotten. Can I reseal this wood? should I use only fiberglass or can I use a tar or rubber sealant to cover and seal this wood as well as the area of the bilge?

I think you?re gonna have to replace anything wet and pulling up, not just re-seal it. But I?ll leave the reply for someone who?s done this successfully.

 

[FuddleyPJones]

Re: Paint and Fiberglass repair

WOW! Thanks saildan -

You really know your stuff. I will do my best to follow your suggestions and I will also find a book on the subject. Thanks so much!