Repainting hull

[headgardener]

Question from a real novice. I am restoring a 1989/90 Searay 190 which needs the hull and other fibre glass panels repainting. Is there a special system or is it a case of just sanding down and repainting with the appropriate paint.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Repainting hull

Its really no different than doing a car, in a lot of ways. You fix whatever needs to be fixed first and then get it sanded. From there pick the type of paint you want to use and have at it. The difference is that with a car you'd really only consider painting by spray, but with a boat and some of the products available for them, you can get an unbelievably good job from a roller or a brush. Anyway my advice to you would be this. Pick the paint you plan to use and then stick with the manufacturer's 'system' for the application. Do exactly what they say and use their products when and how directed. I just finished doing it with Awl Grip and I can not tell you how happy I am with how it came out.<br /><br />Thom

 

[headgardener]

Re: Repainting hull

Thanks Thom,<br />I have plenty of experience at repainting cars etc, I was just concerned that being in contact with water it was some kind of 'Black Art'. I will now be able to tackle the job with a little more confidence.<br />Geoff

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Repainting hull

Gardener, I had my speedboat painted with an Awlgrip-type paint. I wet sanded the hull to 400 grit, removed the hardware and took it to a local body shop. He had plenty of boat painting experience, and sprayed it for me. It was a good job. I have heard that people get good results with a brush an roller, but I have not tried that!<br /><br />PS the painter stated that all the yachts are painted(with Imron and Awlgrip), since gelcoat wasn't a good enough finish!

 

[ericm]

Re: Repainting hull

Did you try to buff out the finish yet? How about 1200-1500 grit wet sandpaper and then buffing? I would try this first. You will need a rotary buffer, NOT an orbital one.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Repainting hull

<br />I have plenty of experience at repainting cars [/QB]

Paint it like it was a fiberglass bodied car and you'll be fine. You'd be wise to use an epoxy primer first though if it has a factory gel-coat finish on it now. Most paints alone don't like to stick to fiberglass products very well without being primed first. <br /><br />The only part that really should be a special paint is what is below the water line if it left in the water more than a few weeks at a time, and the 'crud' grows on it. <br /><br />If its a trailer boat, paint it just like you were doing a Corvette or a non-metal car body and it'll come out great.