Preparing for paint

[Smoki_ooki]

Currently in the middle of an 86 196 rebuild and it's going great. We've come along ways and learned a lot of new trades through this site, so thank you to past post that make rebuilds possible to novices like myself. We completely finished the coffin cover and applied with kiwi grip grey non skid, which although on the expensive side a great product and easy to use once you figure out the technical aspect of the application. I will post pics tom. So our next step is prepping the hull for paint, I'm planning on repainting the entire boat but am unaware of some answers I couldn't find on previous threads. My questions are as follows and I'd appreciate any knowledge/opinions

1) what kind of surface is needed to be ready to paint? Like to I need to completely sand off the gelcoat like all the white? or just the shimmery  2) do I wet sand (rubbing compound) or use a fine grit sand paper? What texture am I looking for?

Ps --wingtime--you were right! we had holes where the gas tank had the foam stripping around it and we bought a new poly tank so we lookin good

[RickK]

Depending on the paint you're going to use I would plan on a primer with hull sanded with 120 to give the primer something to grip and when you go for the paint I think no higher than 220 - it needs something to grab onto also.

[CLM65]

As Rick said, a lot depends on what you plan to use (paint or gelcoat).  They say that with paint, 90% of the effort is in prepping the surface, and with gelcoat, 90% of the effort is after the gelcoat is applied.  Either way, you do not need to remove all the old gelcoat.  Roughen up the surface with 120 grit.  Regular sandpaper is fine.  You do not need to wet sand in your preparation phase.  if you gelcoat, you will need to wet sand afterwards.  I don't think you will need to wet sand paint, but someone will need to confirm that, as some types may require that.

Note- I recently gelcoated my project hull.  If I had to do it again, I'm not sure I would do the same thing.

[Smoki_ooki]

Thanks guys really appreciate the information -CM when you say completely sand off the old gel coat do you mean to the glass or are we talking like just a dull matte finish all over I took 120 grit and sanded left just a matte I figured i could always sand more of course btw why I've got this here are there any primers y'all recommend? we bought petit ez poxy modern polyurethane topside paint so I guess paint it is thanks again guys

[Smoki_ooki]

Never mind C I read that post wrong ok roughed up then prime got it.