NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

[RIStriperFisherman]

Hey <br /><br />I HAVE A 15 foot 1968 FIBERGLASS STARCRAFT RUNABOUT V-HULL.<br /><br />Want to paint her- The currant paint looks like house paint and is chalky and looks like hell (pretty much) <br /><br />I am wondering, Since i trailer this boat and it will never spend more then 24 hours in the saltwater at one time<br /> If i still need special bottom paints or can i use regular topside paint to cover the whole Hull ?<br /><br />In-Other words. Can i use one simple can of paint to cover the whole boat without worry ?<br /><br />I am thinking on just using a Roller to roll the paint on, is this good or will it look like crap when done? please be honest <br /><br />Tips? Comments? All wanted.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

I have painted a 1968 fiberglass v-hull,Anyway, I went to my local paint store and bought a quart of marine paint.$20 a quart.<br />I put it on with a roller and it looked GREAT.<br />You could not tell I even painted it myself.It even had a reflection!!<br />Very easy to do.I am not an experienced painter and I had no problems.<br />I stripped everything off the boat and marked what it was and what side it came off,painted,put it back together.<br /><br />

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Is that a Starcraft ??? Looks just like mine almost!!!<br /><br />How much OVER ALL did that cost you to paint it?<br /><br />Did 1 qt cover that whole boat?<br /><br />Did you use Primer, how?<br /><br />ya just used a normal roller w/ out the "tip" ?? i am curios- Nice boat!!<br /><br />Please keep that help coming<br /><br />thanks alot

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

It is an alpex,<br />1 quart did the whole boat. No primer just MARINE paint.<br />Regular roller.<br />Did this in 1997.<br />$20 for paint then rollers and paint trays etc. all said and done:<br />Less than $75.<br /><br />check out your " HELP..." post.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

wow.<br /><br />I have to sand the boat and fill in some cracks/reglass an area. Do i still need primer or can i go over the "bare" boat w/ the roller and normal paint ?<br /><br />i am not sure what this boat looks like under the many coats of paint from previous owners and if there is cracks in there i am going to have to fill them.<br /><br />let me know what to do here<br />thanks

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

My boat was bare.Even where I put fiberglass patch on I did not prime. I sanded the fiberglass down so it was even with gel coat then fine sanded the whole boat.<br /> It is important that when you sand the fiberglass patch you smooth the leading edge of it or the water will tend to start peeling it back if it is under the water line.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

so if i sand this baby the paint will still stick w/o primer?<br /><br />How much is a cheap primer to cover this boat- if it is cheap i will get it for a precaution?<br /><br />Can i fill cracks w/ Marine Tex or similar filling putty and paint over it easily?<br /><br />i know i am askin alot and i appreciate your great help- please keep them coming.<br /><br />Step by step would be nice (1,2,3 etc)<br /><br />thanks alot

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Once you sand it all down you will be down to the gelcoat which is where I started. I did not prime but it wont hurt if you do.Most people say priming is a must.All I know is I didnt and it was a very hard paint.I never babied it and never had a problem with the paint coming off.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

It's trailered, used in saltwater.<br /><br />One question i have is PAINTS all this 2 pt 1 pt uniantpoxy all them words (example)<br /><br />what is a simply easy to use that don't need to be shiny and just will make the boat look nice for a few seasons...<br /><br />PLEASE KEEP TIPS COMING

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

The marine paint I used was not a mix of different parts.It was just like regular paint.Take lid off stir with stick pour in tray apply with roller.Dried real glossy looked great lasted for years.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

hey, would you happen to know the name of the paint?<br /><br />And can it be used underwater as "bottom" paint? I trailer it and it will never spend more then a day in the water and will cleaned and scrubbed after each use.......Do i need special bottom paint or can i just use that? will it peel off on the trailers rollers like some black bottom paints to after a few loadings? Do i need bottom paint or can i use topside under the water as well??<br /><br />Doesn't Brush marks show up or is it like a real pro job, obviously not like original finish, but it was really glossy? I suppose wax would help to... <br /><br />PLEASE KEEP THEM TIPS//COMMENTS COMING!!!<br /><br />THANKS ALOT!

 

[y2jericho]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Try and learn its the only way<br /><br />At least if you fawk up on a patch you can always stop. let it dry then apple some paint stripper and scrape it off and try again the next day<br /><br />The Best way is to buy any marine paint (if its made for a boat it should last for 3-4 seasons) Then just start a painting<br /><br />If you wan't to be definate the finish will look good. Your best bet is to buy a 1-2hp compressor for like $50 US used and get a spray gun for another $50 (trust me the compressor and spray gun will come very handy for many many many many years to come i.e with new boat etc.) Then just get some quality 2 pack paint (which you usually have about 1l of hardener and 3l of colour and you mix together at 1:3 and then the drying stage in the paint starts you usually have 3-4 hours to use up the paint before its crap) But you have less time for the ugly to dissappear with the 2pack but if you get 1pack it will dry slower and let the ugly dissappear but it wont be as good but still very affordable and quite durable<br /><br />So "Try and Learn" $100 worth of paint and some elbow grease and you will have skills for the rest of your life. Because of painting my boat i now painted my car and it also looks great thanks to practicing on my boat<br /><br />hope this helps

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

RISF,<br />I used it on the whole boat ,all of it that is white.I used it on the bottom as well.<br />Never came off on the rollers.Every time I took it out I washed it. Time after time and paint never peeled ,flaked ,or dulled.<br />It was a MARINE grade paint and it stood up to water and scum real good.It was like it came from manufacture that way.Cant remember the name of paint.I will ask wife tonight and get back to you .<br /><br />Once again I just used a roller and If I didnt tell peoplr I painted it they couldnt tell.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

if you won't spend more than a day or so in the water, you don't need bottom paint. good luck-

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Thanks alot for all the great replies- big help!!<br /><br />So far from what i read: <br /><br />I will buy a roller, normal MARINE paint, Some Sand Paper and Marine Tex. Then i sand the hull, Fill in cracks w/ Marine Tex then re glass that area near the bow- then REsand, Slap on some paint an go fishin ?? Sounds easy to say but my arms wont want to go fishing after all that, HUH? lol <br /><br />Please Keep them tips coming, so much help so far but still some of them questions have gone un answered, Please help!!<br /><br />thanks.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Keep em coming, Thanks

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

What questions do you still have??<br />List them and I will help best I can.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

Interlux Brightside polyurethane might be the ticket for ya!.... <br /><br />Z*Spar is another co. that makes a great single part enamel...<br /><br />My local Home Depot sells Valspar marine paints so you might luck out there too...<br /><br />Even plain ol' Rustoleum enamel (not spray cans) from a home improvement store will work... (don't ask how I know, but it's great for fiberglass boats) <br /><br />All of these can be applied by roller, brushed, or sprayed by a novice with excelent results (if you follow the directions)....<br /><br />I'd say you can easily do a really nice job for less than $100 including any primers, thiner's, ect....<br /><br />Like matt says, if you are'nt going to leave the boat in the water more than a day or two, you don't need an anti-fouling bottom paint...

 

[boatingfool]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

It was real glossy,no brush marks.All roller.It was so glossy(how glossy was it )<br />It was so glossy that when towing down the road and I looked in the mirrors at the boat I could see the yellow paint lines from the road reflecting off the side of the boat!!<br /><br />When I started this project I figured it would look so - so. I could not believe how easy it was and it came out better than I could have ever hoped!!<br /><br />Sand it , Fill cracks ,add fiberglass repair where req(real easy follow directions on box),take off all cleats etc,paint ,let dry, add another coat if needed,put cleats &stuff back on.<br /> GO FISHING !!

 

[jasonnb]

Re: NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOAT.

OK snapperbait, fess up on the Rustoleum!