Painting of Fibreglass Boat

[allymoss]

I have looked everywhere for a simple explanation and order of things to do to repaint my boat but I ant really understand it! Probably really obvious to you boating masters!

Anyway, I have a 14" fletcher fibreglass. Hull is sound no holes! Doesn't need any work but the top is horrible. Well cheaply done by some guy in his backyard. Half finished. I want to remove the paint already on there (dark green) and paint it white.
So far, I have done nothing to the boat as I want to get it right.

My procedure I think I will do is this.
Sand till I get down to the fibreglass itself.
2 coats of Primer/undercoat
2 or 3 coats of top coat

Is this right, is there anything else like laquer or more treatment. I have a budget so I am not going to spend $£$£ on marine paints that I dont need!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

Your Plan sounds Fine,................ Except,.........

There's Really No Need to sand it All the way to the Fiberglass,.........

Just Sand it til it's got a Smooth(relatively speaking) Finish on Sound Paint...........
I use a 180# or 220# sandpaper for that step....

Then a 320# for between the coats......

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

As Bond-o said, don't sand through the gel coat, just get the paint off it. If you sand through the gel coat you will find many very small pin holes and other imperfections that will be difficult and time consuming to cover with primer.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

As Bond-o said, don't sand through the gel coat, just get the paint off it. If you sand through the gel coat you will find many very small pin holes and other imperfections that will be difficult and time consuming to cover with primer.

 

[D_Hodder]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

Check out this link, has a basic description on painting.
Look on the left of page and click on boat painting guide.

http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp

 

[stanos]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

i have a similar problem.
i have just bought an old Haines hunter 146 that has been repainted white. the bottom of the hull is peeling and returning to the original colour hull. what did they do and how could i fix it.

the top and sides seem to be going ok but i think the friction with the water is causing the peeling

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Painting of Fibreglass Boat

I used acetone to clean my surface before painting... Gets rid of any contaminates that will not allow paint to adhere...

One more note of caution: You didn't mention what kind of paint the PO used... If it is a 1-part paint, do NOT apply a 2-part paint over it. The 2-part will lift the old paint off and you'll have to start over.

Your plan sounds spot on!