Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

[ugadawg187]

Okay so ive got some patch work to do on this & after im done fixong the scratches it will look bad w/o some fresh color. Bout like driving around a car with bondo patches all over it lol. My question is what kind of paint would work best to spray it with? Keep in mind im not painting the whole boat just the parts where the gel coat is a faded red & above the rub rail. Thx

 

[5150abf]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

I did mine 2 years ago with base/clear and it has worked out really well, seems to deal with the water okay so far.

My fishing buddy owns a body shop and has a cabinet fulll of unused paint an he donated some nice siver and dark green for stripes.

I trailer the boat so it is never in the water more than 8 hours but as I said, so far so good.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

If you want to go budget, good old Rustoleum works great. Otherwise I'd spring for a 2 part marine paint.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

If you want to go budget, good old Rustoleum works great. Otherwise I'd spring for a 2 part marine paint.

You will cause a lot of problems if you use the wrong kind of paint or preparation. Undoing mistakes can be a major pain.

If the boat has any value at all, I would use the two part marine paint and follow directions exactly or pay a pro to do it. I would not put anything but marine paint on my boat and I would have it done by a reputable boat paint shop in a booth.

If it's a "junker", Rustoleum would be fine. Car paint might work and look OK for a while. Just remember, you're not going to be able to put good paint over this in the future without sanding down to the gelcoat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

If it's an aluminum boat, in salt water, you have to be mindful of matching the paint with the material, to avoid a chemical reaction/corrosion especially at rivets and joints.

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

No its fiberglass but ill be doin the paint myself. So i guess ill be looking into marine paint.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Unless the two-part polyurethane paint is for below the waterline (most aren't), and you are keepin the boat in the water, I would recommend the one part polyurethane paints. They are nearly as good as the two part paints, but are easier and cheaper. Brightside by Pettit is a good paint. Interlux likely makes one as well, and there are storebrands.

Imron is the best two-part paint, but expensive and tricky to apply. Awlgrip is very good as well, but two part. I think it may be rated for below the waterline, as well.

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Well my boat has never stayed in the water for longer than a weekend so it spends 90% of its life on the trailer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

I would not put anything but marine paint on my boat and I would have it done by a reputable boat paint shop in a booth.

If it's a "junker", Rustoleum would be fine. Car paint might work and look OK for a while.

Ayuh,.... Sounds like you've been doin' too much readin',+ No painting...

Some Automotive finishes are the Same paints as the Boat paints...
And,...
Rustoleum can be applied with Excellent results...

 

[rwidman]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Ayuh,.... Sounds like you've been doin' too much readin',+ No painting...

Some Automotive finishes are the Same paints as the Boat paints...
And,...
Rustoleum can be applied with Excellent results...

Well, there are boats and then there are boats. I'm not going to be spray painting this boat in my backyard with Rustoleum.

That's why I qualified my statement.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

The OP has an '88 Maxum that he trailers. Rustoleum would be just fine for his application. It's not just for "junkers". Course I guess most of our boats would be considered "junkers" then.

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Ezmobee thanks for your insight it has always been much help. As to address the junker statement my boat isnt new nor big but ill be dang it does what i need it to do w/o pouring massive amounts of money in it. If i wanted it to look new id just buy a new boat, just sayin but thanks for the input guys.

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

What kind of prep work do i need to do before i spray the paint on? Is it wet sanding & primer?

 

[likalar]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

My 2 cents: I've seen guys do amazing work with rattle can paints. Their excellent results can usually be credited to many hours of careful prep work before the paint goes on. You just can't prep enough! Wax removal, wet sanding, stripping, priming, sanding, etc.......No matter how good or expensive the paint is, it will only be as good as the prep work. It will be worth it!

Larry

 

[likalar]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

What kind of prep work do i need to do before i spray the paint on? Is it wet sanding & primer?

Yes. But first wax removal, then wet sanding to give a surface for the primer to hold onto. Then wet sand the primer to smooth out any dust, hairs, ripples in the primer. Finally, after the primer is cleaned thoroughly, mask and spray on the color coats. There's a bunch of web sites that give great (and more thorough) info on this.

Larry

 

[smclear]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

My .02 is it's all about the prep. Many, many hours sanding. I am having new gelcote applied to my boat this winter. Most all quotes have come back with many hours of sanding. The one selected;

10 hours @ 320 grit
8 hours @ 500 grit
6 hours @ 800 grit
6 hours @ 1200 grit

then after gelcote

12 hours buffing
6 hours polishing

Do the prep right, and whatever you use (almost) will look great and last.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Briteside, for example, calls for sanding with 220 grit paper, prior to application, and 320 between coats. No primer is necessary on bare fiberglass.

There are orbital sanders that take 220 paper. I would start there. Use the 320 grit between coats w/ plenty of water. Unless you have an air sander, elbow grease is the only way.

I would recommend either the roll and tip method fo painting (especially for the bottom), or a compressor-driven sprayer. These give the best finish. Spraying takes some experience, so you might get some cheap paint and practice on a fence or something.

The Marine Polyurethane paints (one or two parts) are real tough. I once spent 15 months sanding and painting my speedboat. On it's maiden voyage, my wife puts on the waterskiis and walks across the deck I just painted. Those skiis had metal skegs. The paint took that abuse, so I was able to remain married, and out of prison.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

My 2 cents: I've seen guys do amazing work with rattle can paints. Their excellent results can usually be credited to many hours of careful prep work before the paint goes on. You just can't prep enough! Wax removal, wet sanding, stripping, priming, sanding, etc.......No matter how good or expensive the paint is, it will only be as good as the prep work. It will be worth it!

Larry

Do NOT use rattle cans. TRUST me on this one. I painted my last boat with rattle cans and it was a nightmare. The finish was not good and I used so many cans of paint I probably could have paid someone to paint it for me for the same price. On the positive side....the paint I used was Rustoleum and it held up really well. The other advice offered by Larry is solid.

 

[likalar]

Re: Thinking about painting my boat so what kind of paint?

Do NOT use rattle cans. TRUST me on this one. I painted my last boat with rattle cans and it was a nightmare. The finish was not good and I used so many cans of paint I probably could have paid someone to paint it for me for the same price. On the positive side....the paint I used was Rustoleum and it held up really well. The other advice offered by Larry is solid.

Ezmobee,
Sounds like the voice of experience, and I respect that, as I've never painted a boat with rattle cans. The reason I gave the rattle cans reference is that I have seen similar areas (accent color strips) painted that way, and the results were better than I would have expected. (Ugadawg187 indicated he was looking to paint the faded red accent stripes above and below the belt line). With the right prep work and a deft finger on that spray button, he could have a fresher looking boat, even using a rattlecan. Maybe not how a pro would do the job, but might be the only way without spending a bunch of $$.
Applying paint from a can takes some practice and experience to get good at it. Years ago I repaired a Jeep fender with some bondo, then primed and painted with spray. Awful results! It looked like a 10 year old had done it. Now, after several such small projects over the years, I can make a rattle can spray job look real good. Good prep, steady, even spray pattern at the right distance, proper drying time, wet sanding between coats, wet sanding the dry final coat, clear coat, polishing, etc.....Take the time you need, and don't expect to get it done in 1 afternoon. Good luck with the project.

Larry