Painting hull - a few questions for the experts

[Scott1115]

There is a boat I am interested in purchasing. The hull is in good shape but the dark green gelcoat is shot. It's beyond compounding out. I am thinking of repainting the hull flag blue.

1. is there an advantage to Imron vs EasyPoxy vs Brightsides vs Awlgrip?
2. spray vs roll and tip?
3. How do I do it?

Can some one give me "step by step" instructions how to prep hull and paint, etc...or link to a good video (I cannot find one)? Hints would be helpful too.. ie.. start at bow and move to stern, start at top and move towards bottom, etc...

Thank you very much.

[DonV]

You are so close Scott just a little more research....go one step down in categories to Gulfstreamcomposits.com just below repair/mods. Here's a video to start with.

[Scott1115]

Thanks Don

[DonV]

Good! You will see a few of us speak highly of the Signature Paint, I used it on my transom rebuild and am very happy with the results. Take my word for it, not difficult to apply and great results! However there is a hard part, it's all in the prep......

[Scott1115]

Looks too easy. I am sure there will be signif prep work necessary prior to painting. After painting there must be some "clean up" and polishing to give it a good shine.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Scott1115

. . . After painting there must be some "clean up" and polishing to give it a good shine.

One advantage of Signature Finish is that it's repairable if you nick or scratch it, and it can also be wet sanded and/or buffed to eliminate any runs, orange peel or to improve gloss. I used it on the bottom after removing 3 layers of bottom paint. It's also one of the few urethane paints that will hold up below the waterline! Imron and Awlgrip are NOT repairable, but it's easy to mix up small quantities of Signature using small syringes for small repairs.

Another option if the gel coat is just faded but otherwise in good shape is to use Polyglo on it! When you scrub the gel coat with the PolyPrep cleaner, it will look very dull, but after you apply 5-6 coats of the Polyglo coating, you'll have a very glossy finish that holds up for at least a year in S. Fl. or longer if you live further north. Easy to add another coat or two ever year or so. Also MUCH easier than compounding/buffing/waxing that only lasts about 3 months in this area! And it's a lot cheaper and easier than paint!

[CHANCE1234]

Go with a two part paint like awl grip or perfection. It will last a lot longer and be more durable. I used perfection and roll and tipped it because I don't have access to a larger compressor. It did not come out perfect but I am very satisfied with the results. If you want perfect spray it. As stated above the prep is the key. I followed all signature perfection directions to the tee. Google yachtpaint forum and you will see some good info and when I had questions last year, the perfection rep was quick to get back to me on that board. Good luck

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by Scott1115

There is a boat I am interested in purchasing. The hull is in good shape but the dark green gelcoat is shot. It's beyond compounding out. I am thinking of repainting the hull flag blue.

1. is there an advantage to Imron vs EasyPoxy vs Brightsides vs Awlgrip?
2. spray vs roll and tip?
3. How do I do it?

Can some one give me "step by step" instructions how to prep hull and paint, etc...or link to a good video (I cannot find one)? Hints would be helpful too.. ie.. start at bow and move to stern, start at top and move towards bottom, etc...

Thank you very much.

I'd try wet sanding and they compound and wax. How old is the boat?


1. Open wallet and empty it. (easily $1000+ in materials to paint a hull doing it yourself)
(I like awlcraft 2000 b/c it's easy to work with and it's repairable)
2. fairing/prep is 95% or the work especially with dark colors like flag blue.
3. Spray it or have someone spray it.

Step by Step? . . . There are entire books written about this subject

[shine]

Originally Posted by Scott1115

Looks too easy. I am sure there will be signif prep work necessary prior to painting. After painting there must be some "clean up" and polishing to give it a good shine.

negative, prep work is simple and easy. Surface needs to be sanded and cleaned - same prep work for any paint you choose

The EMC is buffable and repairable

[abl1111]

I've used awlgrip and awlcraft 2000. I did not notice a difference in applications. I recently sprayed Awlcraft 2000 on a sailboat and if you get a lesson about the right pressure to use, the right tip/nozzle and a how to apply with a paint gun, you can get great results. If you're good with using a spray paint can - you can use a paint gun. You just have to do it. I recommend practicing on a valueless pc of either fiberglass, or even a pc of glass to see how you do.

The real work is sanding and fairing - that is the art. It takes practice, a good eye and a feel. Using a sanding board really helped get a sailboat I re-did really nice. It really is 90% prep ! So, take your time and do it right. Then, buy the best paint you can afford and spray it !