I didn't know that the original paint was under this

[wildmaninal]

First off let me tell ya I have been worried about getting this boat painted for the longest, been using the boat just like it is for some time now. I figured that these white spots on the hull was where the previous owner sanded it down to bare fiberglass. I started sanding with heavy grit on the hull on those white areas that I thought was raw fiberglass so I could spray some primer on it and next thing I know I started revealing the original paint underneath. I feel like such a goof, because I didn't know that was primer all along.

I sanded it down in spots and I had some old (I mean old) car wax that I put on a rag and buffed into the original paint and it helped bring back some shine but not much.

One of the problems that I have now since I started off with the heavy grit sand paper I scratched the original paint that was below the primer in several spots.

Is there a way to buff these scratches out?
Or should I continue to sand down the original paint with a finer grit sand paper to get the scratches out and maybe try to bring more shine back in the paint?
What type of wax should I use? Or would clear coating it work instead?

Here are some pics. My boat is due for a wash and a vacuum cleaner .

You can see in this pic where I sanded the area down to the original paint and applied the old wax from the trolling motor and on to the right of the bow light. Also if you look to the right by the anchor winch you can see where I have been sanding and revealed allot of the original paint there as well but haven't applied any wax yet.

This last picture of the livewell doesn't do the paint any justice, the paint in this area looks like new, and has never been touched.

 

[gcboat]

Re: I didn't know that the original paint was under this

Looks to me that you are a great candidate for a complete repaint.
The really deep sanding scratches will come out by using a finer grit paper - in succession from each other. Meaning if you scratched it with 120# paper then start with 180# then to 220# and up the line.
Be careful that you smooth out large area - don't concentrate too much on one spot as it will eventually "cup" if you're not careful. Sanding boards are good to use - something longer than the palm of your hand.
Prime with appropriate primer, sand again and prep for finish coat.
Here is a link that might help you http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp
It is a good read - hope it helps some.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: I didn't know that the original paint was under this

Well GC, I didn't think anybody was going to reply to my thread . I just continued on sanding, just got in from working on the boat, this time I used the palm sander and I got nearly all the primer off from the top of the original paint. For the time being I used that wax (that I mentioned earlier), I don't know how long that old wax is going to last but it looks like a totally different boat now.

It's to dark to take any pictures so I'll try and get some tomorrow. Been thinking about taking the presure washer to the boat as well even if it means messing up my "wax job". Maybe I'll let the presure washing go for now because the hull doesn't look all that bad. I went over all of the areas that I sanded with paint thinner before I put the wax on it.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: I didn't know that the original paint was under this

Here are the pics, it's like night and day when you compare them. Makes you wonder why the previous owner didn't just leave the hull alone.

 

[gcboat]

Re: I didn't know that the original paint was under this

If you're happy with the end results then I applaud you. If you're not happy then I still applaud you. At least you are accomplishing something in your favor. Good job !

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: I didn't know that the original paint was under this

Thanks GC. I am happy with the results. I am through with the paint as of yesterday. I installed a built in fuel tank today, and added a fuel gauge as well, everything works well and looks great. I was using a 6 gallon portable tank, now I have a 12 gallon tank with a working gauge. I was going to try and install an 18 gallon tank but it didn't work out like I wanted it to, I could of made it work most likely but it wouldn't of looked as good as the 12 gallon does back there.