Simple boat painting answers

[wolfblake21]

Okay, so basically, there are a million threads on here about boat painting, but everything gets confusing, there are no simple answers. I am going to paint my boat, completely with topside paint since I will be storing it on a trailer. I plan on using epoxy paint for this, I know that basically, the only thing that needs to be done is the boat wiped down with a solvent to remove any wax or other materials. I run a bass boat so anybody that runs ones knows how much they love their metal flakes. What is the best method to apply the metal flakes? And what needs to be applied over them, a few coats of clear coat? Or something different?

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

From what I have read, you need to spray a base coat color, then mix the flake with clear coat and spray it. Next depending on the size of flakes you've used, shoot anywhere from 5 to 10 more coats of clear so that you've covered all the metal flakes in a bed of clear coat.

 

[wolfblake21]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

Thank you! That was exactly what I was looking for without too many words. Would I be able to brush the clear coat on to make a thicker coat to cover more quickly? Or will I not be abke to get a consistent coverage because of the flakes?

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

No don't brush, you will soften the layer of paint with the flakes and cause dragging, then you will have to strip it off it will look so bad. You need to be aware that the time between coats needs to be limited so the following coat burn in properly to the layer its being applied onto, and it will be soft enough a brush will loosen the flakes up.

The following coats of clear that go on over the flakes (depending on the conditions and temp and air circulation) can be in fairly rapid in order, in right conditions you can put 3 to 4 layers on without even cleaning your gun in between.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

Okay, so basically, there are a million threads on here about boat painting, but everything gets confusing, there are no simple answers.

There are tons of answers. Step by step answers.

I am going to paint my boat, completely with topside paint since I will be storing it on a trailer. I plan on using epoxy paint for this, I know that basically, the only thing that needs to be done is the boat wiped down with a solvent to remove any wax or other materials.

I dont know of anyone here on Iboats that suggest a simple wipe down ( even if your using EPOXY ).

Your surface needs to be sanded and sometimes Primed before you even think about putting down paint.

I run a bass boat so anybody that runs ones knows how much they love their metal flakes. What is the best method to apply the metal flakes? And what needs to be applied over them, a few coats of clear coat? Or something different?

I have never heard of Flake going into Epoxy paint. Gel yes ..but paint ..um no. You can use Metallic in your Paint but again never heard of 'flake' in paint.

You might want to Read up on the forum a bit more about Flake and proper prep for painting.

Got pics ?

YD.

 

[wolfblake21]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

I am not looking to make my boat look perfect, I just want it to have a nice glow about it. It is a bass boat so it will be run through the trees and will have new sratches within a year. If I was wanting a perfect boat, I would buy a new one and more than likely never use it to make sure i dont hurt it. My plans are to remove all my carpet and patch any screwholes I have with a bondo type epoxy made. Once that is done, I will be primering those spots and said it to make it flow. I cant feel my original metal flakes on my boat which has not been repainted so I plan to change my color and sand as needed then i will apply a clearcoat mixed with metal flakes until I have the look I need then spray several coats over this. Does anybody see a major problem with my thoughts here?

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Simple boat painting answers

You will need to scuff sand anywhere you paint or you risk flaking, its not much work for what you get out of it. I would wet sand with 600 or something like that for what your doing, it will go very fast. Then rince let dry and wipe with a hot compatable thinner just before you paint. That will soften the top layer of the old paint and help with adhering. Some of these clear coats will shead right off if not applied right, there not like normal "paint".

I know a guy who cleared a jet ski, big mistake it all came off first time it sat in the water! Nothing below the waterline.

If you dont want to sand it then you should just buff whats there and leave it.