what do I do before painting??

[newbie101]

I am new to this and have a lot of questions! That being said, I got a 12' fiberglass boat for free and now i'm trying to fix it up. The inside of the boat is fine. The entire outside of the boat has been sanded down to the hull. It had a few small cracks that I patched with fiberglass and resin. I put some marine caulking along the bottom on the cracks. Now I am in the process of sanding with 120 gritt sandpaper. This is just a weekend boat, so nothing special. I am trying to figure out if I need primer before I paint the boat?? Also, I have read something about using alcohol or paint thinner to wash the wax off?? Is this step necessary if the boat has been painted before?? Any suggestions on type of paint would be great! I have heard that automobile paint will work just fine for a bottom coat. Any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I'm lost as what to do next!!<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: what do I do before painting??

Welcome Newbie101<br /><br />I saw your post on another board also, with a little more info. If you sanded it down to the glass you created a bunch of work, you only need to sand the gel coat surface. With the gel coat removed you will open up thousands of tiny pin holes in the glass that will create problems when you try to paint it. You will need to use a primer to fill the pin holes, then sand the primer to smooth it out. In the other post you said you used resin and cloth, I hope you used epoxy resin with the cloth, polyester resin and cloth are not a good combination for a repair, you need to use some mat as a first layer for it to bond well. Dig out the caulk you put in the cracks on the bottom and fill them with epoxy (or poly) putty ( I'm thinking you repaired these from the inside with the resin and cloth). There are many types of paint you can use, automotive or marine and get good results, if you are going to brush it on, use a marine paint designed for that type of application and you can get very good results. There are cleaners designed to remove any junk on the surface before painting, you can get them at the same place you get the paint.

 

[newbie101]

Re: what do I do before painting??

Thanks for the help! I will use a primer on the entire surface and then sand that. I did use a resin with the fiberglass cloth. I'm not sure if it was epoxy or polyester, I will check when i get home (now you have me curious!) Another ? that came to mind was, if I am planning on not leaving the boat in the water, what type of automobile paint is better, laquer or enamel?? thanks for your help!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: what do I do before painting??

2 part poly urethanes are the best, but there are 1 part marine paints that will be OK. There are many people here that can walk you through the roller and brush method with the marine paints and the paint companies websites have lots of information on how to do it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: what do I do before painting??

ondarvr I know i am being a bit selfish here, but could you post a e-mail addr so i can ask and send you some info as to my restro. I am going way beyond the normal........ or so i think.<br /> I am using a pnematic long board trying to eliminate waving along with removing car paint... with that in mind i need to use a boat bondo to smoooth out imperfections yet one that has good adhesion qualities. I really want to use perfection ( right shade of yellow) yet i am concerend with with old paint screwing up the finish.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: what do I do before painting??

TG<br /><br />My email address in in my profile, just click on my displayed name on my post to view my profile.<br />I will be in Portland this week (I'm there every couple of weeks) maybe I could look at your boat.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: what do I do before painting??

As you already know not this weekend to much going on, however i will email you shortly......

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: what do I do before painting??

I have never used the roll and tip method for painting boats, I have painted a couple with automotive paint (I always used a high quality paint) and have sprayed it on with great success. As with anything, preparation is tantamount to your obtaining good results. You will want to wipe down the entire surface with a degreaser such as acetone to remove any remaining waxes, greases, and some of the dust before the prime coat. A tack cloth will pick up the remaining dust; don't skip these steps, you can have some adhesion problems that won't show up until much later. Good luck, and post some pics!!!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: what do I do before painting??

BTW: on paint type, for the type of project you are doing, I would go with an enamel. It requires much less elbow grease to get the desired results.

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: what do I do before painting??

wow you better pick a top coat . and adhere to there whole system of aplication . say you use a 1 part primer then try to go over it with a two part top coat . it will eat the primer etc .......2 part primer .2 part top coat ...........you can go with a 1 part top coat over a 2 part primer though .

 

[newbie101]

Re: what do I do before painting??

thanks for all the help! I am still in the process of sanding down where I put the resin. Hopefully later this week I can start to prime. I will definately keep you posted, as I'm sure I will have a lot more questions!

 

[Solarex]

Re: what do I do before painting??

hi guys, i like to chime in on this thread, as i'm in the same situation. i picked up a 15' Galaxie boat for $75 with trailor, so i can't really complain. it need some restoration done, that is repairing some areas on the bottom. i want to strenghten the transom, should i reinforce it with thick ply wood all the across and overlay the whole thing with epoxy & fiberglass cloth.<br /><br />i will definately need to paint it as well. i did some research and curious about auto paint, will it withstand water? this is a very small budget project.

 

[newbie101]

Re: what do I do before painting??

ok next ?, if I am going to spray it, is there a certain type of sprayer to use (airless or another kind?). also, if i cant get a sprayer and use a roller for the paint, do i still need to reduce the paint down, or is that just for spraying it on?? im trying to learn all this as i go. thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: what do I do before painting??

Solarex<br /><br />Welcome, You might want to start a thread on your project, it makes it easier for people to keep track of who needs what information. $75, sounds like a good deal.<br /><br /><br />N101<br /><br />You can either spray or roll, if you spray you'll need to get a spray gun and a compressor, to roll it you need a good roller and brush. There are cheap spray guns ($29-$49) that will work OK, but you still need a compressor (rent?).<br />Many of the people that roll and tip get very good results. <br /><br />Both methods use reducer, but different types.