Best way to paint a boat.

[turner24]

Hey Guys,

I have a boat that I'm currently in the process of restoring and the big question that I have is; how am I going to give this boat a good paint job? So I've been all over these forums trying to find different ways to paint a boat. And to tell you the truth, it seems that everyone here has there own way of doing it. Right now, I have plenty of sanding tools and have the drive and determination to finish this thing. So, with that said, does anyone have a step by step process on how to paint a boat? I have plenty of sanding tools - belt sander, hand sander, etc.. But haven't purchased any paint, primer, etc..

So here's my boat:


Questions I have:
What type of Paint should I use, top/bottom side paint or gelcoat?
What grain of Sandpaper for prepping and polishing?
Are there cheap sprayers I can use? Or is it better to roll it on?
After sanding and getting out any scuffs, how many coats of primer?
After Primer, how many coats of top/bottom side paint did you have to apply?
Also, what do I use to polish the paint?

..And If you post, please feel free to post your paint jobs!

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

Do you just not like the color? I'm thinking why not buff out the gelcoat that it has now?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

Yup, I agree^^^^. But if you do want to change the color and want to do it on the cheap.. The last link in my signature below has some good info.

 

[turner24]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

The paint is oxidized pretty bad. Maybe I should try and buff it out before painting.. What products should I use to buff it out?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

Cool old boat!

What ya got hiden under the hood......

 

[79Glastron]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

A tri-haul jet drive? Now I've seen it all.....Olds 455? Pretty awesome! If you like the color I would do a color sand and buff.

 

[turner24]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

You are correct sir! Olds 455 big block w/ jet drive. Supposedly, the motor was rebuild a couple years ago w/ new carb and only has around 30 hrs on it. I should pry just buff this baby out and make sure it runs before I go all out.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

It's prolly not paint. Most boats are Gelcoat and that looks like the original Gelcoat to me. This is some good info on buffing out oxidized gelcoat...

http://morrison-marine.com/polishing-oxidized-gel-coat/

 

[turner24]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

I'm Back.

I did a test area w/ Maguire's Agressive One Step Compound. This is 2 coats:

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

Looking pretty good to me, much better than prepping and painting, don't you think?

CW

 

[turner24]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

I dunno. The amount of work just for that little bit of buffing could possibly equal out to sanding the whole thing and getting the right paint. But as far as $$ wise it's a lot better.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Best way to paint a boat.

True lots of elbow grease, but I have more of that than money...