to paint or not to paint?

Y

Yachts of Dreams

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Apr 30, 2006
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21066
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I have a boat that needs extensive gel coat repair. From a serveyors point of veiw concerning future vessel value, should I re-gel coat or just paint the boat with awlgrip or sterling? It is a 32 foot glass boat 1980 vintage. The gel coat is oxidized but it has damage to the gel coat all over the stb side
 
I used brightside by interlux on my Chris Craft, 33'x 12.5', it's a one step paint. Easy to work with but it is soft. Looks great, seems that poeple assume it was done in a spray booth. My wife and I did it under a tarp about 3 years ago with a roller and brush. Easy to touch up when you need to and inexpensive. Why make it complicated? No regrets. I would be happy to send a photo by email.
 
On a 27 year old boat the cost of gel coating would be too costly. Although it is not cheap either I say paint!
 
I have painted my last two boats. What type of "damage" on the starboard side?
 
awlgrip is the gold standard of paint... since prep/masking/hardware removal is 90% of the work, you may as well get the best paint !

gel coat requires a lot of work, not easy. many larger yachts are awlgripped, very resistant...

some specialists can do amazing roll and tip jobs... but if you can do it yourself spraying, that may be your best bet.
 
Awlgrip is probably the best choice but it isn't cheap. You should also have some idea what you are doing as well.

FYI, Feadships are all hand painted with Awlgrip, not sprayed, if that will give you any idea how great it can look with a proper roll and tip job.

Jonathan
 
I plan on painting it my self. I was a auto painter by trade for many years and I have all the equipment to do so.
The damage to the boat occurded when the boat sank( I purchased it sunk) it layed on its side in about 3 feet of water and was rolling on the gravel on the beach . It has gravel rash on one entire side , all 32' of it. the rest of the boat looks good but I would want it to look all the same
 
I would use a polyester filler on the damaged side and any other place as needed. Remove as much hardware as possible, cleats,rails,etc. I used Sterling when painting my boats. I'm sure Awlgrip is just as good. Your going to have to apply several coats of primer to achieve a uniform surface and color.

Painting your boat is not the same as painting a car!!!!!!!
Painting your boat is not the same as painting a car!!

Follow the manufactures instruction!!

My first boat I sprayed the hull and on my second I tipped and rolled it. Painting with this product is like painting with water. The trick is to get just the RIGHT thickness down or you will get massive amount of runs. It takes practice to get it right.

Painting your boat is not like painting your car!!

I would practice by just doing the transom until you get the hang of it. If you screw it up you can always sand it down.

When your done you will be rewarded wityh a nice shinny boat that is very easy to maintain. Simple hosing off with water and a light scrub brush as nothing likes to stick to the paint. No pores. When other people are polishing and waxing you will be out boating.

Good luck and keep us posted on your project.

Dave

Faster now but still steady
 
i do understand that it is not like painting a car I have painted many things in my life all have been different. Which product would be best Sterling or Awlgrip? I was thinking Sterling at first but then lately I have been leaning toward Awlgrip, Dave
 
Dave,

there's a lot to consider but since I'm going to be doing this very thing, I'll share what I've found. First, polyester filler maybe just fine but the secondary bond strength, shrinkage, flexibility and water resistence is no where near as good as epoxy filler. Re-Gel coating is not a viable option on a 32' boat due to thickness build and labor. Sterling and Awgrip/Awlcraft are excellent catalyzed 2 part paints. They are not compatible with 1 part paints so if your boat has any existing 1 part paint substrates or repaired areas, these must be stripped off prior to repainting. Both Sterling and Awlgrip offer some provisions for reductions based on weather conditions. BUT, they are both still very sensitive to hull and air temps and require a longer, moisture free drying window to flow out and retain gloss. If it's too cold or it doesn't set-up prior to evening dew, you will need to sand and re-apply. The weather window is a big deal in my region, I don't know about yours. Both Sterling and Awlgrip are much more hazardous when sprayed as the catalist is isocyanate based. My yard won't allow spray application and having done it, I don't recommend it outdoors or without a supplied air respirator. My boat is also a 32' and I will be rolling and tipping.

Hope this helps.
 
jav1,

I found I got better results when painting over polyester filler as conmpared to epoxy. I used West system and found the paint would "flow" differently then the areas that i had used polyester filler. Giving it a couple coats of primer and sanding it down then it probably wouldn't make much of a difference which one you use.

Dave

Faster now but still steady
 
Epoxy filler is the choice. Peroid. The boat must be properly preped. This means filling all dings, then sanding and fairing. The boat must be carefully dewaxed. As noted any old paint must be removed. There need to be at least two coats of epoxy primer. After each coat, again filling and sanding/fairing. Awlgrip will wear better than Sterling. Sterling is easier to brush/ tip/roll. Spray will always give a better job, if you are skilled with a spray gun and the use of two part urethanes. Yes, fish eyes and runs are a problem--and that is why the epoxy primer is so important.

You can always tell the difference between a truely professional spray job and a tip and roll job, no matter how good it is. However for many people the cost factor is not worth the spray and the prep which is necessary. I had to laugh today, when I was at the shipyard. A boat next to mine is being painted with a roller--epoxy first. You can already tell it will be a very "messy" job. Even the rolling is not even, and the end result will reflect that. A good Awlgrip job should last 10 to 12 years. Brightside, Toplac etc maybe 3 years. The prep is the biggest job in any boat's paint job.
 
If you know what you are doing with a brush, the finish can look just like a spray job.

All Feadship Yachts are painted with Awlgrip and a brush. They do not spray their boats.

FYI.

Jonathan
 
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