I need Advice

[gatorbait]

I've been through the archives for paint, bottom paint, gel coat....

Finally I've got all the bottom paint off my boat and I'm down to the gel coat.
I've read that some of you have used different brands of topside paint for your hull below the water line and have had no problems. I trailer my boat and don't want to put bottom paint back on. On occasion I will keep my boat in the water for a couple days if I go to Key West for Mini lobster season.

For those of you that have painted your entire hull with Awl-Grip or your paint of choice, please let me know how it stands up to stains, chipping, and trailer wear over the years. I don't want to make a time consuming and expensive mistake. By the way I am painting the topside with Awl-grip but I just can’t make up my mind for the bottom. Any advice would help, thanks.

[strick]

Awl grip is one of the toughest paints that I have seen. I have only used it once on my 23sf and it is holding up really well. Going on 3 years now. I probably will paint my next project with awl grip from top to bottom. There are guys that have done this. You just cant leave it in the water for extended periods of time. I do have bottom paint on my boat. There are other good paints out there probably just as strong as awlgrip and soon someone will chime in here telling you about them.

strick

[Capt Chuck]

I used 2-part Signature finish @ a 8-2-3 mixture (paint/catalyst/flow fluid).This is a little heavier than the topside formula. It has a nice orange peel. Covers great with two coats and NO primer is needed. Apply with a roller and sponge brush. Easy to repair scratches from sandbars, trailer wear, etc. I leave mine in the water for 7-10 days at a time with No problems. I did my bottom in 1985 and the original coats along with minor repairs are still applied.





The only problem I have had is small blistering between the gel coat and the paint where the boat sits on my carpeted skids on the boat lift. I guess the water does not drain sufficiently I will install some sort of plastic runner like you see on Float-On trailers.

Call Tom at Signature ----> (772) 287-6077

[Lenny]

AquaplyM makes a great 2 part epoxy paint, it rolls on much like paint is extremely durable and they will match the color to what you want. I stripped the paint on my last 24' Hydra Sports and due to some clown really digging into the gel I had no choice but to repaint it, most people had no idea it wasn't gel.

[bigeasy1]

Sherwin Williams automotive division makes a two part Urethane finish called Sunfire.It's the equivilent of Imron,and other two part urethane finishes.

I've sprayed a couple aluminum boats with it and is an awesome finish.I have it on a 18' starcraft aluminum that i use on local lakes,and some brackish water.It has held up unbelievably well.I've kept it in a slip for two weeks with no pitting or blistering.This finish is now 12 years old,with tons of use,and still looks new.

Okay,i know this is an aluminum boat,but please go easy on me,i'm only posting it for the picture of the paint.

The pics.not the best,and doesn't show the finish as good as it really is,but it will give you some idea how it looks.I'm thinking of using it on my Tsunami restoration.

[thedink9]

I agree with Cap't. Chuck.
I also used signature finish. Easy to apply once you mix it correctly, and easy to repair. If you take your time and follow Tom's (owner of the company) instructions you will not be disappointed. Dink

[gatorbait]

Thanks for all of the advice. I like the sound of no primer with the signature finish and the fact that you can repair it. From what I hear Awl-grip is hard to repair. Capt Chuck, what’s the color scheme of your boat there? It looks to be a seafoam or off white?

[NoBones]

That's OK John123,
I'm confessing as well.
I too own a "Tin Can"
Converted a 1964 Lone Star to a flats boat 25 years ago.
Re-painted with Dupont Centari 13 years ago and still looks good. This pic was taken a couple months ago with visiting
Grand Daughter. It has taken more abuse then you can think of. From the Mosquito Lagoon to the Keys and to Sanibel.
Most paints if applied properly will perform well.

See ya, Ken

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I re gel coated the bottom and use sterling two part epoxy for the blue and all the interior of the boat. Works great and last a long time. I kind of like it this way because I also trailer my boat and splash it from 30 to 50 times a year and to repair gel coat is really easier “I think” compared to dealing with scratches on paint because of a 5,000 lbs boat being dragged onto a trailer even with the toughness of a two part epoxy paint. I also will keep my boat in water for approx 7 to 10 days at a time when I go down to the keys with no problems.




FellowShip

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My motto: Just for the Grins

[gatorbait]

Fellowhsip,

How did you apply the gel coat to the bottom...spray, roll? From the picture it looks great!!!