Painting the Hull

[epresutti]

Folks,<br /><br />I have be rebuilding an 18ft Mitchell (Sarasota Florida builder), fiberglass hull.<br /><br />I am down to the final stages and want to paint the hull, I have had to make a few JellCoat repairs and repaired a couple of hull cracks (inside and out). I would like to sand the entire hull and have seen several recommendations to use various "grits" of paper.<br /><br />I will be trailering the boat to fresh water lakes in Ohio (have recently moved here).<br /><br />My question is: What can I paint the hull with? I don't plan to keep it in the water. I have seen a lot of products, however, it is confusing to me about the paints for below the water line. I would like the entire hull to be white. I really don't think I need bottom paint. I visited the interlux web site and only got more confused. Please help! Can I just use a regular linear polyurathane? OR WHAT????!!?!<br /><br />Thanks in advance for all the help.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Franki]

Re: Painting the Hull

Capt Bob suggested this site:<br /><br /> http://us.yachtpaint.com/usa/ <br /><br />in a post this day about enamel bonding.. its a good site with tons of info..<br /><br />if you are not leaving it in the water, you don't need antifouling.. just keep it clean.. most of the paints are two pack variants. any that are rated for hulls would be fine... you could get away with less, but if the cost difference is neglegable, why not do it properly?<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />frank<br /><br />PS, others on this board know far more then I, hopefully they will post when the get here, but its a well discussed subject, so I'd check the archives with the search facility at the top of this page first.

 

[DJ]

Re: Painting the Hull

Ed,<br /><br />Enamel will stick if it is primed correctly.<br /><br />I am partial Pettit products.<br /><br />If you are going to use Pettit, you will need to use their #105 undercoater as a primer under thier Z-Spar Topside Alkyd Enamel #99.<br /><br />Pettit also make a ONE PART epoxy enamel called "Easypoxy". There is no mixing involved. You would use a #6149 undercoater under the Easypoxy product. <br /><br />The Easypoxy gives a great finish with a brush and is OK below the waterline for up to 48 hours at a time.<br /><br />For a fiberglass hull, make sure you use #15095 dewaxer with either product.<br /><br />All Petit products are available thrugh West Marine. www.westmarine.com

 

[epresutti]

Re: Painting the Hull

Guys,<br /><br />Thanks much for the advise. All of my repairs have been made with Epoxy resin, Including a new transom, will the pettit products (assume proper priming and prep), stick to the epoxied glass?<br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />emp.

 

[DJ]

Re: Painting the Hull

Ed,<br /><br />I do not see why not. However, give the folks at Pettit a call at: 800-221-4466, or, 973-625-3100.<br /><br />They are very helpful and will send you out a complete painting guide-free of charge.<br /><br />As I mentioned, I am partial to their products, for one reason: they actually cared enough about me to answer my questions. The people at the "other" paint company wouldn't give me the time of day.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Painting the Hull

Hi Ed<br /><br />I once build a bathing platform for a bigger boat i owned. Ending with priming with epoxy primer and painting with ureathane paint. I got a good result, which appeared to be even stronger than gelcoat, as i used it 6 yrs with no problems at all. We even walked on it with footwear when entering the boat. Just be aware, the ureathane paint isnt good below waterline, if boat is left in water more than a couple of days. You will then have to cover below waterline with epoxy paint.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Painting the Hull

Thanks Guys,<br /><br />I like the pettit products (just from the sound of it), I will give them a call.<br /><br />This easypoxy stuff sounds pretty good.<br /><br />Dane. Thanks.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Painting the Hull

Take a look at the 'standard' of the industry...Awlgrip, at www.uspaint.com I personal would not use any bottom paint if not moored or at a dock. Wash bottom on trailer when it gets a little dirty. 'Starbrite' makes a great bottom cleaner when needed. Don't get it on a galvanized trailer!