Painting a boat?

[drdetroit3]

I have a 1985 Stratos bass boat I bought, the gell coat is gone, the surface fells like sandpaper.
I don't want to spend alot of money and I was wondering if I can Paint the top half of the boat, the lower half is in good shape?
My question is how do I smooth the existing surface to paint?

Mike

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Painting a boat?

Well painting is ALL in the prep.

Yes you can paint only the cap of your boat.........

You MUST prep that top cap to be as smooth as possible prior to it's top surface. That roughness will look horrible if it is not sanded out. Paint makes a lousy scratch filler.

 

[drdetroit3]

Re: Painting a boat?

Whats the best way to prep it? Just sand until smooth or apply something over the existing?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Painting a boat?

I'm guessing your boat is a Metal flake Correct? If so, you will need to use an electric Random Orbit sander or an air powered DA sander and sand it down to the glass to remove all the gelcoat (it's not paint) and metalflake. You'll use 40 to 60 grit paper for this. Once that's done, you can fill any/all gouges, holes, and scratches with a fairing material, sand her again with 180 grit. For an inexpensive but durable paint job check the last link in my signature below.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Painting a boat?

I'm guessing your boat is a Metal flake Correct? If so, you will need to use an electric Random Orbit sander or an air powered DA sander and sand it down to the glass to remove all the gelcoat (it's not paint) and metalflake. You'll use 40 to 60 grit paper for this. Once that's done, you can fill any/all gouges, holes, and scratches with a fairing material, sand her again with 180 grit. For an inexpensive but durable paint job check the last link in my signature below.

EEEk !!

All you probably need to do is prep it for primer .. Prime/re-prep/paint ..

Just a scuff and paint will not be too good as most Bass boats are in fact metal flake. Once you break through the Clearcoat you will need to prime.

If you didnt break through the clear..then it is possible to get a semi-half decent DIY el cheapo paint job without priming it.

got some pics ?

YD.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Painting a boat?

He said it felt like sandpaper indicating the Flake, if in fact it is flake, is on the surface and he will need to do more that prime and repaint. That's why I gave the details I did. EEEK!!!! Possiblly not All the gelcoat but until a smooth uniform surface can be acheived to accept the primer.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Painting a boat?

He said it felt like sandpaper indicating the Flake, if in fact it is flake, is on the surface and he will need to do more that prime and repaint. .

Why would he have to completely remove the gel to Glass ? .. what is it that he has to do to prep for highbuild primer ? ..

Prime and paint ...

YD.

 

[drdetroit3]

Re: Painting a boat?

T for the advice guys, yes the clearcoat is gone. The past owner put a clear finish on that was flaking off, I removed that to the rough(metal flake). So sounds like I need to remove the metal flake to the fiberglass, then fill holes (bondo?), prime and paint. I recently bought a HVLP sprayer for painting trim and sound like it will work for this. What paint do you recomend??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Painting a boat?

You need to sand it down well enough to get a smooth surface. This may not require going to the glass! You just need to enusre the flake is not going to interfere with the primer. Using a High Build primer as YD suggests is a good and proper method. Make sure to wipe her down with acetone first. As I stated in my first post, for a good durable inexpensive paint job check the last link in my signature below.

 

[JOHNSON140HP]

Re: Painting a boat?

I also am going to re paint the top half of my boat what is a good high build primer to use?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Painting a boat?

Depends on the Final Color Coat paint you'll be using. I like to stay with the same brands.
If you are going the Inexpensive route you can use this and then paint with Rustoleum Oil Based Industrial Enamel and use an acrylic enamel hardener with it.

 

[JOHNSON140HP]

Re: Painting a boat?

Depends on the Final Color Coat paint you'll be using. I like to stay with the same brands.
If you are going the Inexpensive route you can use this and then paint with Rustoleum Oil Based Industrial Enamel and use an acrylic enamel hardener with it.

I have two questions for you wood.Can you roll the rustoleum filler primer on? Also i wanna use Interlux Brightside High Gloss Polyurethane Marine Paint will these two work together well?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Painting a boat?

I have two questions for you wood.Can you roll the rustoleum filler primer on? Also i wanna use Interlux Brightside High Gloss Polyurethane Marine Paint will these two work together well?

I wouldn't mix brands. Especially marine and non marine. I'm sure Interlux has something that would work well.