Everybody,



The hulls have been sanded, the small dings and scatches bondo"ed. I am going to paint this historical beauty with the following.



Water-Based Acrylic Enamel Paint Primer (Grey)

2 coats sanded between with 80 grit



Polyurethane Enamel Gloss White



2 Coats (paint heated to maximize gloss)



Anybody any last idea's.



Mike

Don't paint… the boat is fiberglass, use the appropriate materials. Paint will scrape or peel off (80 grit paper will make scratches you can see from 50 feet). You may be able to sand and polish the gel coat back to its original condition. Start sanding with 400 go to 1000, then 3m polishing compound. Any voids should be filled before final sanding. If gel coat is to thin for sanding re-coat with quality polyester or epoxy.

Jon,



I agree but cost is prohibited to epoxy entire hulls. The boat is to be gently sailed, never/ever raced. The age of boat will not permit any stresses (president of Hobie informed it could be dangerous).



Many Thanks



Mike



The hulls are extremely faded due to over 20 years of sitting in previous owners yard

If you use 80# grit your going to have a mess of scratches in the paint. You should use 320 or 280 between coats. are you using a DA. or hand sanding? I painted my boat and used no primer. The paint will stick to the properly preped gel coat just fine.

Cat,



You are correct about grit along with emails, I have received. I have sanded the hulls in preparation for painting. I will be hand sanding between coats, to inexperienced with power.



Many Thanks



Mike

If the boat "will not permit any stresses" I wouldn't bother about the paint.

WoW

Wind,



The stress is racing, not gently sailing, this is an origninal Hobie out of the 1000's built, it's #66 from 1968 (the year Hobie started). The parts after 1972 do not even fit on boat, on a major search for product of pre 1972 production boats.



The hull has an extreme curve which is signature of orginal Hobie design, and has sat in yard for over 20 years.



Yes, its a classic and as such must be treated as such, gentle handling for a gentle girl.



Mike

I just painted my H-20 with Awl Grip. It looks great!



Just don't be scared to paint slowly to ensure complete coverage. I went too fast and the finish is dull in the spots where I did't get enough paint applied

My opinion:

Dont paint, it will peel, crack, chip and mostly look bad.



If you really love the clasic nature of a Hobie from 1968 and do not intend to use it as most of them now are (planted in concrete in front of a t-shirt shop) then sand and polish the hulls to their original shine, it is not that hard to do and will last as long as the 35 year old fiberglass will.

PS. there is nothing that will make acrylic stick to fiberglass for very long.