Painting after FG work?

[HookMaster]

Ok, took everthing off, rub rail, bow rail, fittings, old snaps, etc. etc.. Will fill in and repair everything that has a hole and sand out ready to paint. Now here is the question...Spray on new gel coat? Spray on Awlgrip? Spray on other 2 part poly paintys? Want a hard finish that will resist scratching like when you put a cooler on and off the boat. Will be fishing a lot. Have asked other questions on this forum. It's a 19 ft Manatee 1978. Have ordered Vertglass restorer reccommended on this forum also for the hull.

What about the interior floor? Non skid, textured surface? Roll/brush tinted gel coat.?

Any suggestions or specifics would be appeciated.

Thanks,

Don

 

[Mark42]

Re: Painting after FG work?

I vote for new gel coat. Should be able to put on mucher thicker than paint, and if it gets scratched, won't show color through as easy as paint. I believe this will be the longest lasting coating you can apply.

Gel Coat can be applied in multiple layers, and done with a brush that will "float out" so that there are no brush marks. But you should read about how to do it first and compare effort and cost to paints and other coatings.

 

[sdunt]

Re: Painting after FG work?

2 part poly's or Awlgrip are very good coating as well.. Considering thats what is on your car. I used a poly with out the hardner and it took a couple of weeks to get REALLY hard, but it extremely tough stuff now that it has hardened

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Painting after FG work?

I crossed this path some time ago, If you plan to do a large area or the whole boat gel-coat can be done but ir could take months of sanding to get good results. It doesnt self level, it needs mutiple application, there is very little paint time, (it can start curing in as little as 10-15 mins) see ondarvr he is not a novice at this kind of thing, in essence gelcoat was never designed to be sprayed on after the fact

http://www.iboats.com/bbboard/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=26;gtid=548684;gpid=548709#gpid548709

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Painting after FG work?

Paint and gel coat can give a very good finish, it just depends on how much time and money you want to put into it.

Gel coat will be easy to prep for, you fill the bad stuff and sand everything with 80 grit, thats when the hard work starts. Spraying large amounts of gel coat can be difficult, then you need to sand it all down, this can take weeks and a small fortune in sand paper. Then the buffing starts, after a day or so you will sart to find spots that you sanded through or were sprayed thin, so they need to be redone. If everthing goes well, it will turn out OK after much $$, time and hard work.

With paint you need to do a little better prep because the paint won't hide many dings or scratches, but after that it's easy.

Painting will give a surface that will hold it's color and gloss for decades compared to gel coat's 3 or 4 years, gel coat can be buffed to shine again though.

The big difference is when you finish spraying, with paint you are very close to being done, with gel coat you have only just started.

For a non skid surface you can roll on gel coat or paint with fine grit in it, both will work well.

I sell gel coat for a living, so I can get it for no cost, if I was going to redo my boat I would buy paint.

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Painting after FG work?

Sounds like I will opt for paint! I have quite a bit of spray time under my belt, so it should work out. The only issue now is product? I am planning to roll on a white gel coat on the floor area after fiberglassing. Want to try and get a little texture before it sets up.
Imron, Awlgrip or other? I have an HVLP spray gun I use for latex so I don't have to thin it too much. Is there a recommended nozzle/orifice tip size in MM??

I have restored a 1955 Sea King wood boat and applied Awlgrip by roller & brush over the new smooth FG hull and it came out like glass, but I have not sprayed this product. Do you thin it to spray it or use a large tip. How much time before it sets up in the gun? Is there a an additive to extend set up time?

Thanks again for the input.....

Don

 

[Mark42]

Re: Painting after FG work?

I did some research on gel coats and there are a few that are brush on, flow out and don't require hours of sanding to get a smooth finish. Just do some research on the different gel coats out there. Lots to choose from now adays. Spraying is not needed.