Paint over gelcoat

[Jcris]

I'm going to paint my boat which is currently a gelcoat
Its faded and thin in several areas. It had a bunch of screw holes (from canvas top snaps) that I repaired with marine tex which was really not the best choice. It was very difficult to smooth without wearing down the gelcoat. I also used it to repair many other areas I've decided on paint because I'm to darn old to sand on gelcoat to get it right
What paint is recommended for a roll and tip application
I'm looking for a durable finish that won't show brush marks. What would be a good choice for the topsides? Maybe interlux brightside? And what paint would be best on the sides? Brightside also? And what about the bottom? This boat is freshwater only.
Please offer recommendations on what you have used and been satisfied with.
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

you still need to sand the boat to get the primer and paint to stick.

all your answers are in the stickies...... in this case, in the hull restoration forum.

check out link 19... https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

 

[Chris1956]

If you leave the boat in the water, you will need a two-part marine paint suitable for such use.

Interlux Brightside is for above the wateline use only. It is a fine paint for Roll and Tip.

 

[Jcris]

after looking online at many recommendations I've decided to paint my boat. I'll be using the roll and tip method as I don't have a suitable air compressor or paint gun. I'm thinking of using interlux brightside for the topsides but am unsure what to use for the sides or bottom. My boat is on a bunk trailer so something durable is important, although I'm not opposed to touching it up once in awhile. This boat is currently finished in gelcoat that while in decent condition has had a lot of screw holes , some deeper scratches and general misuse areas repaired. All the repairs were done with marine tex. A good product but not easy to sand smooth. The gelcoat is very thin in a lot of places but not worn through. This boat gets fresh water use only. I'm looking to do this in the next month or so as the weather temperature will be ideal.
(70-75). I plan on doing this in my garage with the boat off the trailer on some home made stands. I'm sure that will be challenging for this old timer but I'm determined to try.
For those who have done this please let me know what paint and primer you would recommend.
Thanks

 

[AShipShow]

If you are going to trailer the boat, then you can use the same interlux paint below the waterline... Its just typically recommended to use an epoxy primer vs a standard urethane primer to help prevent water absorption from carpeted bunks that may retain water for several days. That can cause blistering. Other than that, theres no reason to use antifouling paint.

Another option is to use a 2 part polyurethane topside paint which is going to be the most durable, but a lot more money than single part polyurethane paint.

 

[kcassells]

So confusing ………...

 

[kcassells]

Yes you can paint over gelcoat just rough it up, wipe it down with acetone. No primer needed.

 

[kcassells]

Yes you can paint over gelcoat just rough it up, wipe it down with acetone. No primer needed.

Re-visit...……….Yes you should use a primer.

 

[Jcris]

No doubt I'll use a primer. I'm leaning towards interlux inter protect Just want the prep to be as good as possible because I am going to roll and tip. I'm also considering Alexseal. Whatever I choose I think I'll stay with one brand through out.
I'm curious also about the specific type of roller and brush?
I need to make some choices soon I want to do this before the fall weather turns to cold
thanks for the help

 

[Jcris]

I'm also leaning toward interlux brightside for the topsides and then probably a 2 part epoxy for the top coat for the sides and bottom. But I'm not sure how well 2part rolls out

 

[kcassells]

This is a good vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLLkekJHvw8

 

[Scott Danforth]

you may want to price out the paint vs re-gel coating

when I did my hull, my intentions were to paint with Axalta marine paint (Imron). however it would have cost me $500 for the red alone for the stripe, $900 in white, and about $1000 for the blue, and the black which I would have mixed with white for the grey was about $100. that did not include all the catalyst. or the primer. I was looking at well over $3k in materials

so i re-thought the whole thing. since the prep work is the same regardless, spending the additional weekend sanding to 1200 grit and buffing to a shine was a no-brainer

Gel was about $600 complete, and with the Duratec gloss additive, it flowed like paint, and now I have gel vs paint

 

[Jcris]

I've looked at that video and found some others that look helpful. Most notably boatworkstoday.com
Scott,
Ive yet to price everything out and that may ultimately change my mind about gel or paint

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is a thread on gel coating https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/gelcoating-the-whole-boat-down-to-the-waterline.61694/