| Painting my hulls #68736 03/09/06 01:14 AM 03/09/06 01:14 AM |
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA skifter22 OP
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA | I've got some fiberglass repair to do on my P16. I figured I'd slap some new paint on the hulls as well, but I'm unsure of what to use. I'd like to do some colored striping on the hull as well. I'm aware of basic masking technique and so on, but as far as painting the hulls I'm a bit clueless... Will I need to clear coat them? What type of paint do I use? any preparation/application tricks I should know? Can anyone point me in the right direction
A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist expects it to change, a realist adjusts the sails.
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: skifter22]
#68737 03/09/06 01:35 AM 03/09/06 01:35 AM |
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA skifter22 OP
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA | OK... wow... so I just did a little poking and found out that all of my assumptions on how to fix my hulls were pretty much wrong... So, I hereby rephrase my question... I've got some worn hull bottoms and a small but deep "wound" that cuts into the one of the hulls across it's keel that needs to be patched. Can someone reference me to a book or guide or some other information source as to what I need to fix this problem? Thanks!
A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist expects it to change, a realist adjusts the sails.
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: skifter22]
#68738 03/09/06 08:33 AM 03/09/06 08:33 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | www.teamseacats.comI'm going through a somewhat similar job and keeping it documented on the website. It might help and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: skifter22]
#68740 03/09/06 09:20 AM 03/09/06 09:20 AM |
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 349 Fort Loramie, Ohio jmhoying
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 349 Fort Loramie, Ohio | When I repaired my Prindle 18 hulls, I found that it made the job a lot eaiser to take the boat apart and mount the hulls upside down on a couple 3' 2x4s. (photo below) After repairing the bottom with thickened epoxy, I sprayed a 2-part epoxy primer on the hulls. After sanding, I sprayed a topcoat of Imron paint. This has held up extremely well. The top decks of my hulls were in good shape and I didn't refinish them, other than cleaning and waxing. Mulit color adhesive backed striping is available and is eaiser than painting them on. Good luck with your project, Jack
Jack Hoying
Fort Loramie, Ohio
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: skifter22]
#68741 03/09/06 10:51 AM 03/09/06 10:51 AM |
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 606 Maryland Kris Hathaway
addict
|
addict
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 606 Maryland | I have used both Interlux and gel coat, and I recommend gel coat any day over the other and its equivalents. Yes you can brush Interlux on and you will "eventually" get good at tipping it out and making sure it does not blush. Yes Interlux is hard as a rock but that is its draw back. It does and will stratch. When it does you will not be able to buff it out. Sanding it is exhuasting and requires repainting. Further, if you have contured areas better have a good hand because you have only one shot or get out the mega sander. Lastly, it is dangerous to spray without a positive ventilator.
Whereas, gel coat is designed to be sanded and buffed. It is softer. It is forgiving and easy to repair. Sanding and buffing out a new coat is rewarding and therapuetic. Shooting gel coat is not hard and will not kill you like Interlux can. Get over the mystic of using a spayer and go for the gel.
Good Luck
Kris Hathaway | | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: bvining]
#68743 03/09/06 07:40 PM 03/09/06 07:40 PM |
Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,658 Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus... catman
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658 Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus... | I have a question. Does the interlux paint use a catalyst?? Because if it does not.... it's crap.
Spraying Gelcoat. The best way is to use a pro gun that mixes the MEK in the nozzle.
Second best way is to use a dump gun. This is a very simple gun. The gel is mixed in paper quart cups. These snap onto the gun. You simply flip it over and pull the trigger. If the stuff goes off in the gun it's very easy to clean. I've seen this used to spray Imron with nonskid. There are different size nozzles. They cost around a $100.
The third way would be to go to the Depot and buy a cheap gravity feed gun with as large a nozzle as you can get. However if the gel goes off in the gun you can pretty much kiss it good bye!
Prevals work good for small areas.
No matter how well you spray Gel your going to have to sand it to get it smooth so it's easier for someone with less experience to spray.
Gelcoat is safer to work with than paint???
NO! All the stuff is bad to breathe, get in mucous areas,eyes, mouth and on your skin.
If your going to re-gelcoat a boat I would get the 80 grit out on a board file and sand until I saw glass if your concerned about adding weight to the boat.
If your going to paint, use a quality polyurethane or epoxy paint. If you want to have stripes you can put them on after painting and then have them buried with clear so they don't increase drag.
There's a few other things that I don't have time to explain right now. If you like PM me.
Have Fun
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: catman]
#68744 03/10/06 12:24 PM 03/10/06 12:24 PM |
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,226 Atlanta bvining
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,226 Atlanta | Catman, Interlux does have a catalyst. Its not crap.
You havent convinced me to spray gel coat, the hassle of buying/renting/borrowing a sprayer is a nonstarter. Add the learning curve on the equipment, learning curve on spraying it on and then you still have to SAND??? No f***ing way my friend.
Plus roll and tip is one level safer than spraying, you dont breath the vaporized product, only the fumes, and if you've got a good respirator, thats not an issue. Also, roll and tip, doesnt require a space suit to keep the vaporized product off your skin/eyes/ears/face/hands/arms/legs or whatever else you left exposed. Just a good mask and good set of eye protection. Roll and tip, toss the roller and clean a brush when you're done or toss the brush. Easy.
I've faired with epoxy/filler, wetsanded with 200grit, and once I paint it (primer and paint) its done. End of story. No equipement issues, no further interaction required. Plus, my BN friend is going to assist me and he's used Interlux before with great results.
Plus paint looks better than gelcoat, gelcoat is dull, who cares if Paint scrathes, its going to scratch on the bottom, I'll never see those. If it gets too scratched up, I'll paint it again in 3 years, or I'll sell it.
Paint is deep and rich looking. The reflection from Interlux is mirror like. You can actually see yourself in it.
No contest on this one.
Bill | | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: bvining]
#68745 03/10/06 01:03 PM 03/10/06 01:03 PM |
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 306 St. Louis, MO hobienick
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 306 St. Louis, MO | I've been looking into this for a while as I plan to fair and paint my hulls within the next year. What I have determined is the following. Gelcoat is great if you are molding a brand new boat. You get a finish as good as your mold and it helps fill in any small voids the fiberglass and resin did not fill to give you exactly the shape of the mold when the boat is new. I'm not a fan of spraying anything seriously toxic in my garage or on my lawn/driveway.
Epoxy paint seems to be the answer for aftermarket paint jobs that will cover the entire hull. With the thinners and paints available it is easier than ever to get a great finish by roll and tip. Plus, the epoxy being harder is what I want for recreational sailing. It will take the beach abuse better. If I have a scratch that goes through the paint (or gelcoat) I will have to sand either one to fair in the touch up. Granted the epoxy will take more sanding but I bet the outcome will be much better than a gel coat patch. How many awful looking gelcoat patches have you seen out there?
Who hasn't made an epoxy repair on thier boat. We are all used to working with this stuff and know how to handle the fumes.
Just my 2 cents
Nick
Current Boat Looking for one
Previous Boats '84 H16 '82 H18 Magnum '74 Pearson 30 St. Louis, MO
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: Seeker]
#68747 03/10/06 02:30 PM 03/10/06 02:30 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | Some people might actually enjoy such projects (I do). It's not always about what's more practical. I have the correct tools and equipment and since I do this kind of work on more than one occasion, the costs are spread out among many projects. These are great skills to learn and have and the more you do them, the faster you are at them. As long as you own a boat, it's going to need something and I take pride in having the knowledge and skill to do it myself.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: Jake]
#68748 03/10/06 04:17 PM 03/10/06 04:17 PM |
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 695 Ft. Pierce, Fl. USA Seeker
addict
|
addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 695 Ft. Pierce, Fl. USA | Jake if you enjoy it by all means have fun...maybe being a professional boat builder all thru the 80's took the romance out of it for me...plus...when you are use to having all the best tools to do the job you get spoiled rotten and don't have much desire to "make do" . What really kills me now is paying retail for the stuff I use to buy by the pallet load at half off. For instance we would get 55% discount on all Awl grip products...that is a huge savings. If you would rather sand and paint your boat, than be out sailing on a nice day, who am I to discourage you? LOL...no really... enjoy the experience...its all good. Anything to do with boats is all right in my book. Regards, Seeker | | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: Seeker]
#68750 03/10/06 04:27 PM 03/10/06 04:27 PM |
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,226 Atlanta bvining
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,226 Atlanta | If you would rather sand and paint your boat, than be out sailing on a nice day, who am I to discourage you? LOL...no really... enjoy the experience...its all good. Anything to do with boats is all right in my book. Hey seeker, we need stuff to occupy us in the winter when its freezing outside. Build in the winter, sail in the summer. If I lived in Fl, I might be singing a different tune. | | | Thanks!!
[Re: bvining]
#68751 03/10/06 04:59 PM 03/10/06 04:59 PM |
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA skifter22 OP
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5 Chesapeake Bay - VA | Wow.. Thanks everyone for all the tips and advice. I'll be starting my project soon and will post pics and updates as I move through the process... Thanks all!!
A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist expects it to change, a realist adjusts the sails.
| | | Re: Painting my hulls
[Re: bvining]
#68752 03/10/06 05:11 PM 03/10/06 05:11 PM |
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 695 Ft. Pierce, Fl. USA Seeker
addict
|
addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 695 Ft. Pierce, Fl. USA | Hey… bvining …I do it too….I have a 23 Seabird CC I am completely rebuilding right now…I can’t think of a time since I was 12 years old that I haven’t been in a middle of some boat project … but I still have to say its not the smartest way to approach the problem…LOL Working on boats is a compulsive behavior I have yet to overcome…just thought I might save someone else from going down the same path…LOL Winter time is only time its decent to work on them down here…you haven’t lived until you have ground glass out in the sun with protective clothing and a respirator when its 98 degrees in the shade and 100% humidity…LOL…now thats fun Regards, Seeker (Im the one with the clip board 1988) The finished product...
Last edited by Seeker; 03/10/06 06:12 PM.
| | |
|
0 registered members (),
620
guests, and 97
spiders. | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | Forums26 Topics22,405 Posts267,056 Members8,150 | Most Online2,167 Dec 19th, 2022 | | |