Newbie - Too much painting information ...

[mischmerz]

Asking 5 different people about how and with what to paint a boat usually results in 25 different opinions. Some say use primer. Others say it works great without - depending on the paint used. Others say you can use cheap acrylic latex paint, others point to oil based paint like Rust-Oleum. Here's what I want to do: I want to paint my boat. I have NO (in words: Zero) experience with paint jobs, I want a nice but not necessarily  a perfect pro-job like finish and I don't want to spend a gazillion bucks. I was thinking about the "Genius Bucket" Quantum paint because they have everything one needs in one package and a pretty good video that shows how it works. But it's $500 plus shipping. And that's just not in the budget currently.

I discussed this in another group but with a different focus. Now - is there any good soul that suggests an easy and not too expensive path (if possible without primer) I can go to get my "Tauri" painted?

Thanks.

Michaela

[wingtime]

Not sure if you know this or not but Rustoleum makes marine topside paint for boats.  I think a couple embers on here have used it with good results.

[RickK]

B.O.A.T. - affects marine paint pricing too. The reason the manuf want you to use primer is that then they have eliminated a few of the problems you would have if you painted over who knows what substrate.  Most make a primer and a top coat that work together.

[mischmerz]

I am in the boonies here - no stores in a 80 Mile radius even carry any sort of Marine paint. I want the same (original) color for my boat. Seems I have no alternative but to find an online store willing to color match my paint and sell me all the stuff I need to get going.  No room or funds for experimenting.  This is why I am asking you guys. If possible I want a brand of paint to be used for a beginner, suggestions on primer or no, how and when to sand - the works.

Michaela

[Capt. Bob]

Any chance of compounding out the hull?

Same color, pretty inexpensive and weather is not a factor. Minimum of tools required and you really only need to know how to bend over and work.

Is this a remote possibility?

[RickK]

That's a good idea Capt Bob - I didn't even think of that.  If the gelcoat is chalky and dull compound or something like Aquabuff 1000 or 2000 will bring it back nicely.

[mischmerz]

Umm .. compounding? I assume you mean sanding the crap out of the gel coat and polish it back to life? If this is what you mean - tried at some small area, but believe this gel coat had it. This little beauty is 30 years old.

m.

[Woodeneye]

Umm .. compounding? I assume you mean sanding the crap out of the gel coat and polish it back to life? If this is what you mean - tried at some small area, but believe this gel coat had it. This little beauty is 30 years old.

m.

You'd be surprised how seemingly shot gelcoat will respond to a sand, compound cut and polish. There are plenty of boats on here with gel coat that old that still look a million bucks. Mine included. Give it a crack. Wet & dry sand paper, cutting compound, a angle grinder with a buffing wheel (cheap at Harbor Freight) and polish. And a bit of elbow grease. Or you could just start here: https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=6352&familyName=Aqua-Buff+Polishing+Compounds. Again a lot of info on youtube on this subject. And the good news is some auto products overlap into this area. i.e. cutting and polishing. Have at it.

Or for one stop shopping: https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=4138&familyName=Boat+Polishing+Kits

[Capt. Bob]

I assume you mean sanding the crap out of the gel coat and polish it back to life?

No and yes.

Wood is on the right track.

Here's a very good and inexpensive tool.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/polishers/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html

You would then need something like this.
http://3mcollision.com/products/buffing-pads/compounding-pads/3m-perfect-it-wool-compounding-pad-05719.html

Use these products.
http://www.prestaproducts.com/Marine_Products-list.aspx

This is just another opinion. I can't offer help with paint since I used this method. My hull is only 26 years old but a former member turned me and several others on to these products (he made his living with this stuff) and I was pleasantly surprised at just how well they worked in lieu of prep and paint with the big plus being cost. They say time is money so only you know how much yours is worth.

Here's a couple three (mine included) with a short primer on the product use.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12288.msg123958#msg123958

This was my hull when I purchased it. Granted it wasn't the most oxidized hull in the world but it only had a shine when wet.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=4608.msg29786#msg29786

The key is the proper pad/compound mix.

I'm thinking you may have already seen this type of restoration product.
http://poliglow-int.com/

Minimum prep. EZ application even for a DIY. Reduced costs. Requires yearly reapplication?

Sounds too good to be true but might be just what the doctor ordered.

PS...If you do decide on paint, are you keeping the bottom paint? 

Good luck.

[wingtime]

If you try the buff route give Aqua buff 2000 a try. I've seen it give amazing results.

[mischmerz]

Thank you all _very_ much. I rolled/tipped my transom yesterday (that was my most pressing issue to cover the repairs) with a very high grade acrylic latex paint with added mold protection. Followed the advise in another forum , sanded, applied marine grade latex primer and finally rolled the semi-gloss paint. Looks nice, but not very shiny. Good enough for the transom though. As my boat is trailered or (hopefully sits in slings soon), this paint should hold up nicely. I am going to monitor it and may even use the paint for a few inside (the boat) jobs.

As my overall gel-coat is not too bad I may go ahead with the compounding. Maybe there are a few more years in it. Anybody here tried the "PolyGlow" stuff?

Thank you again for your help.

Michaela

[love2fish]

no personal experience with it, but I have heard- once you go with Poly-Glo,,,, you have to stay with Poly-Glo. It becomes a huge nitemare.

Stick with conventional methods for compound waxing and see what results you get. I think you'll be surprised with your results.