Gelcoat and Automotive base coat?

[BeachCustoms]

Hey Guys,
I have recently purchased an old school 12' jet boat, it looks a lot like a Champion Mirage. Anyway I want to do a complete restoration/customization, my question is can I use automotive base coat and clear coat it with gelcoat?

Thanks
Carlton

[scotty34]

Awlgrip now makes some nice metalic colors. You might want to check them out since they are more compatible with gelcoat.

[crank68]

It’s a great product !!

[rojoguio]

When I spray paint over gelcoat I first spray a good quality 2K Urethane primer/sealer. Automotive finishes tend to sink when sprayed over gelcoat. Awlgrip and other marine paint finishes are formulated for application over fiberglass. Many one off boats are just faired then a marine paint sprayed with very good results. If your looking for a House of Kolor type custom culture paint job then automotive refinish products are the only way I know to get there.

[Bassnailer]

I painted the sides of my hull the way Rojoguio above mentioned, by first sanding all the oxidation and scratches out of the gel coat, then using a 2k urethane sealer and 2k fullthane urethane paint. The gelcoat was black, the sealer was black, and the 1 stage urethane was black. It has proved to be a durable finish and the one scratch I got in it (when a pontoon boat slammed into my boat while it was docked at the courtesy dock) easily buffed out with a little wet sanding and a DA. Urethane paint is easy to apply for a novice painter, such as myself, and I think well worth the money (I used Nason from a local paint supplier and had about $300 in it for all the paint, sealer, activators, reducers, and materials).

[rojoguio]

BeachCustoms clear your PM's Bud, I can't answer your message due to your limit is reached.

[BeachCustoms]

should be good now, weird because I only had 122 in my inbox.