Type of paint in the Bilge Area.

[KCLOST]

Had a repair done on my boat that was almost a hole thru job by hitting a stump. Got it back the other day and the repair is fine but I would like to do a better job matching the interior bilge paint job. The paint is plain white but the original also has that black splatter/strings over the top of the white. It's like a painter just slapping paint on a canvas lightly leaving irregular splatters/strings of paint. My repair guy did not match it at all and I think I can do a much better job.
I would like to repaint the white to cover up his attempt and then give my artistic skills a try. Just need to know what paint to use. All I know is the black splatter he used will not come off, it's on there good! I may also consider just painting it black if I fail my attempt to match the original.

[STRETCH1]

I painted my whole bildge area with appliance epoxy in white color. Looks brand new and holds up great. Bought it at Home Depot. I did rough up the existing paint the best I could with a wire wheel before I painted it.

[KCLOST]

Thanks, but I don't want to risk having a different shade of white or gloss if that is a chance. Would like to stay with whatever Stratos used or most all boat manufacturers use. I would think just adding a layer of what is standard would take no prep at all... It's just a flat/satin white color...

Any more help on the type...

[tjonas1]

Sounds like you just a standard white gelcoat with Surfacing wax. Adding about 5% to 10% Styrene will help the gelcoat flow out better and reduce brush/roll marks. This will give you the flat white you are looking for. You can get a qt size from uscomposites.com for around 16.00 then the Styrene will run you around 4.25 for a pint and the sufacing wax is 2.75 for a 2oz bottle.
As for the black splatter/strings you can get black pigment to mix with the white gel to make black. then splatter using a small paint brush. the pigment will run around 3.00 for a 1oz which will be then you will need.

[KCLOST]

Do I need the styrene, the bilge area is not smooth at all it actually is bumpy from the fiberglass/resin that was not sanded smooth. It's not real rough just not smooth. I also need to paint a couple of vertical surfaces, so I don't want the gelcoat to run if that is what the styrene can cause it to do more than normal.

And the Surfacing wax, is that always applied to the inside bilge area?

[tjonas1]

I came across somemore info for you. Looks like the spatter is made by using webbing solution. Webbing Solution is a clear liquid added to gel coat to obtain spatter or cobweb effects. It is mixed with a gel coat of one color, and sprayed onto a contrasting colored surface. Decorative effects produced by the webbing mixture will vary, and relate directly to techniques or gun adjustments. A fine hairline spider web pattern results from plenty of air and scanty material flow. Coarse and splotchy patterns are created by fuller material flow and decreased air volume. Experimentation will help determine the desired effect. Added to gelcoat at a ratio of 2 parts gelcoat to 1 part webbing to achieve a "web" effect. Used generally in the second coat after applying a solid primary coat. This runs around 10.00 a pint. Styrene is nothing more then a thinner so gel can be sprayed out of a paint gun. If you are going to use a roller or a brush to apply the white you wouldn't need it.
Surfacing wax is Additive for Polyester Resins and Gelcoats used to allow an easier sanding finish. But if you not going to sand then you shouldn't need to use it.

[merc280]

I worked for stratos until the move to ranger and we used valspar white gel for the bilge ,then we sprayed webbing solution with a little black gel mixed in with it to give it the spider web look

[illinifish]

Suggest you not paint it solid black as a back up plan. It is dark enough in that area. If/ when you do drop something it would be hard to find with the black paint.

[suck my wake]

Bilgekote

[ranger230v]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by KCLOST &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I would think just adding a layer of what is standard would take no prep at all...
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Nothing could be further from the truth. Bilges are filthy, without alot of prep, nothing will stick. Painting is 90% prep.

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by suck my wake &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">



Bilgekote


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+1 I used the gray.