Custom paint job

[g352nv]

never mind.


Modified by g352nv at 8:33 PM 5/20/2010

[g352nv]

Anyone?

[g352nv]

Well found out today gel over base is a no go. So looks like Im moving on with clear coat.

[Hometownhandyman]

Not promote other boards, but if you look at fiberglass discussion on Scream & Fly there are some good threads regarding refinishing a hull.

[northrivergeek]

Base clear over gel coat is done everyday!
But its how you prep it that makes it work .. you cant just spray it like a car, first you must clean clean and clean some more.. pressure wash the boat at a car wash , get lots of degreaser purple stuff, spray the whole boat . then let soak .. and rinse off ... then wash boat again.. then get some quality wax and grease remover .. gallon can .. and lint free paint wipes.. wipe the whole top cap down, then you need to sand the old gel coat with 80-120 grit... just ruff it up wit a DA sander, then repeat the prior step, then tape off and remove as much stuff as possible .. cleats , rub rail, deck lids , what ever you can get off .. you want as little for air and water to get in under the edge of the base clear.. then spray with EPOXY 2 part auto primer no sand version, then you can spray the base / clear.. I would spray the clear at least 4 coats

There are other things you can do as well .. depends on your budget .. you can spray with reg poly primer first , then block and wet sand till you have they body straight .. and also use poly filler to fill low spots .. then prime and block more .. then the Epoxy ... you can easily spend 1000 on just paint and prep products to paint a boat if you are looking for perfection !
here is pics of mine before and after each step












This is how its done on high dollar off shore boats every day .. and how I have done many

[CandOFiberglass]

Here the thing automotive Paint will not stay on the top deck of your boat!
you can put it on and it will stay for maybe a year or so. when it start lifting you will have to strip it all off. Yes some company used automotive to paint stripes ect. the other thing is you kill the resale and Quality of you boat. how many bass boats come with automotive paint on them? this is just my opinion. I have and do warranty work for all major brands of bass boats and also alum boats so I use 2 part paint on alum not Fiberglass. Not trying to be a smart ass by no means.

[northrivergeek]

I know your not trying to be a smart ass .. and I know you guys do great work up there .. but I have seen many many boats painted and yes they last for years.. if it aint prepared right , yes it will peel .. and but even then it will last much longer than a year or so .. most clear coat jobs just sprayed over gel coat again cleaned, and wet sanded will last 5 or more , paint jobs on boats if done right will last a min of 6-8 just like a car .. they dont gelcoat fiber glass cars .. they paint them.. gel coat is better because it lasts longer with scrapes and such .. takes more abuse .. my last bass boat was painted and it still looks like it did 5 yrs ago when I had it .. and gel coat job done properly, sanded, and buffed takes deep pockets.
Yes a warranty patch job is not that big of an issue.. but a complete re-spray of the whole top cap is a big pain in the arse.
But how many warranty jobs do you do that need the whole boat re-gel coated ?

If boats are taken care of properly they almost never need repainted with anything be it gel coat or paint.. the sun is gel coats enemy .. garaged when not in use and waxed a few times a year will keep most bass boats looking new for 20 yrs plus.

Like I said Ive seen much work C and O has done .. top notch.
It should be known that gel coat is not the only answer.. I can do both .. but given the difference in price .. and the ability to change the color or other custom air brush work ..gel coat dosnt fit the bill .. yes gel coat comes in many many colors.. but can never match the way paint looks . now if your talking about the hull.. I would never paint a hull with auto paint .. gel coat only!

Just check out your options . thats all Im saying .. ask the guys on scream and fly .
the other option is a boat wrap