Painting Fiberglass

[jim_b_20653]

Just picked up a 14' Sears Gamefisher skiff last weekend. I plan to give it to my 13 year old son for crabbing and playing around in this summer, but I would like to give it a paint job before then.
My question is how to proceed. I have a compressor, but not a sprayer, so I plant to use a brush or roller. Anyone had any success with this? any good ideas on what paint to use?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

clean it real well, pick a rustoleum semi gloss oil base paint color, i use a 4 inch roller, and give it heck. i have had great success with it.

this is hammered copper:

this is forrest green, and the top i used spray paint:

 

[arks]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

Nice looking boats TD! Does that paint hold up if the boats stay in the water?

I sprayed my aluminium Jonboat with a 3 part paint by NAPA (forget the actual brand). Going on it's 3rd year and it's doing fine, well except that it needs some touch-ups from all the use.

On fiberglass, I've had excellent results with Interlux Brightside. I painted a damaged Sunfish sailboat that had been repaired, using only a brush. The paint flowed so well it looked like smooth gelcoat when dry.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

i trailer all my boats, so i can answer that question, only to say i have never had one peel. true you can nick it. but a 99cent brush and touch it up in a minute, and never see it. i have boats that were coated 4 years ago, still look good.

for what Jim is doing, this is a great solution. hard to paint a boat for $20.00.

 

[jim_b_20653]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

Thanks for the advice. Rustoleum looks great on your boats, so hopefully I can have similar results. I'll let my son pick the color, and if it ever warms up here we'll give it a try.

 

[fishing addict]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

This is a perfect thread for me-thanks, guys!

I have an old, stripped-out fiberglass runabout that I'm going to turn into a fishing machine, and I've been trying to figure out how to make it look good in the process.

A couple of questions along this line: is the Rustoleum you're using just the stuff you can buy at Home Depot? Do I need to prime the hull first? Do I need a clear coat or some kind of gel coat over it? I was looking at some $80/quart 2-part urethane automotive paint, but that green runabout especially looks awesome, and much cheaper.

Thanks, from a boat rookie.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

is the Rustoleum you're using just the stuff you can buy at Home Depot?

Ayuh,.. That's the Stuff,....

Do I need to prime the hull first?

Ayuh,.. A uniform background gives a uniform top coat...

Do I need a clear coat or some kind of gel coat over it?

Nope,.. Not necessary...

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

.......is the Rustoleum you're using just the stuff you can buy at Home Depot? .........

It works nicely, but your boat should be prepped and sanded smooth, and tacked free of all dust etc.

The Rustoleum is an oil based paint- you should thin it a little with paint thinner to get it to flow out to a nice smooth gloss. If you roll it, I would recommend "back-brushing" it and tipping it off for the best finish.

Another paint I have used often around boats is ACE Paints Gloss Polyurethane Deck Enamel (label might say 'porch and deck enamel') Thinned a little bit it flows out nicely and seems to hold up very well.

I have had no problems with these below the waterline, but I trailer too, so I don't know about this. Even the pricey polyurethane marine paints say not to immerse more than "x" hours if it is not labeled "bottom paint"

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

TD you rolled and tipped those finishes?! NICE!

I assume rustoleum makes the primer you used as well. I've finally gotten mine upside down and am working on bottom repairs.

After the repairs are made and the primer is rolled down what grit paper do I sand with before rolling finish coat.

Do I just scuff the existing gelcoat before the primer goes down or do I need to go deeper?

Did you wet sand the finished product or just leave it be?

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

Oh yeah! One more thing...how much do you have to thin it out to achieve the proper flow?

 

[ljc1957]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

JB, make sure you sand it properly. Then put a coat of primer, followed with at least 2 coats of marine paint. I used Rustoleum marine primer and paint. Roll it on with a 4'' roller, then "tip" it with a quality brush. I was really happy with my results. Good luck.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

Oh yeah! One more thing...how much do you have to thin it out to achieve the proper flow?

The manufacturers usually say no more than 10%. I wouldn't go more than that as it won't cure up or dry right with too much thinner- I can attest to that. Plus if you get too thin it gets runny. Two ounces in a quart is probably about right. Start with one ounce- if it doesn't level out within a minute or so, add a little more. If you've painted some at all, you'll suddenly notice the paint getting very workable.

A natural bristle brush 2-1/2 or 3" seems to be manageable to me. I'd always done it with a brush about 3" but recently was using oil base in a home on a large area and bought a 4" to tip it off. I couldn't get the touch and didn't like the results and went back to the 3"

Keep the brush wet, not dripping, and don't roll out too big of an area before tipping that section. If it starts to set a little or dry it will leave furrows and brush drag marks.

I have always considered oil-base paints on stuff that's not metal to be self-priming, but read your label. I am not old but I am apparently aging since a lot of what I used to know is becoming obsolete

 

[mthieme]

Re: Painting Fiberglass

TD - I love the lines on the runabout.
I also love vintage stuff.
What is she? Can't say I've seen one before.

Jim - Glad to see you getting the younun' on the water.
I spent my entire youth on the water (along with every other kid on the Bodkin). I wouldn't trade it for anything, although much has changed in the past 4 decades. It kept me off the 'street corners' and out of trouble, well - serious trouble.