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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What should I paint my boat with????

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/14/2007 : 06:51:07

Hi All, as some of you might know I picked up a day sailer for my sister's triplets...it is a Lockley-Newport "Surprise". (I will post pics when I get home tonight) anyway, I want to paint the cockpit and forward deck. Is AllGrip the right stuff??? Is there anything better? Cheers.

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 11:47:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 ...I want to paint the cockpit and forward deck. Is AllGrip the right stuff???<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dennis--are you really, really sure you want to do that? Once you paint over exterior gelcoat, you have a potential mess on your hands forevermore, and it could be much harder to keep looking nice. Have you tried compounding and polishing as needed?

As for Awlgrip or Imron, they're 2-part paints intended for professional application after very intensive preparation (which I've witnessed). But not having used anything on fiberglass, I won't make any recommendations... except maybe to not do it.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 12:06:14

Hi Dave, you will see in the pics I post later today that the whole boat was painted at one time and I think it would be much more difficult to get the paint off and the gelcoat looking good than to prep it and paint it. Cheers.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 12:50:56

VC-17 the whole thing then spray on a clear coat, it will be one of a kind.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 13:14:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 ...the whole boat was painted at one time...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
So I guess you see my point. It's a hard mistake to undo. I guess I'd look into Interlux Perfection (2-part) or Brightside Polyurethane(1-part), probably leaning toward the 1-part. Is the existing paint tight on the boat, or chipping off?

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 14:04:04

Yep the paint in the cockpit is flaking but the hull is not bad. I think a high pressure power washer will take 60% of the cockpit paint off. Both tires were shot and in the mud along with their axels. I had to buy two new tires, four bearings, two seals and find someone to press in the bearings before I could drag it 250 miles home. It will be a great day sailer for the triplets when I get done with it. Cheers.

Edited by - djn on 05/14/2007 14:06:47

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 15:35:29

I was wondering what you're going make the new rudder and tiller out of?

As to paint, I was wondering about painting my O'day daysailer stripes (they're applied vinyl appliques that need to come off) and thought about using that stuff that's made for plastic. Krylon I think??? It supposedly "chemically bonds" to the plastic. They market it to re-finish resin patio furniture. The nice thing is it's relatively cheap when compared to anything that says "marine". Might be worth the cost of the experiment.

You just love projects, don't ya?

In case nobody else says it, I wish I had an uncle that would buy me a sailboat. Good on ya!

Edited by - John Russell on 05/14/2007 15:37:41

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 17:15:19

Hi John, I am drying the tiller and rudder out and cleaning them up before I determine if they need replacing or repairing. Cheers.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 18:20:16

awlgrip it - but follow the instructions carefully and spray it on

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 20:31:55

Spraying Awlgrip is extremely dangerous. You must have fresh air breathing to spray Awlgrip. Don't kill yourself painting a boat.
You know, for a boat that will be a knock around boat, I would paint it with a exterior gloss house and trim paint and call it good. The nice thing about house paint is that it wears away and doesn't peel like what you see there. They're kids. Just get some cheap old paint on it. Honestly, they would have a blast with it if you washed it and put it in the water. They will never remember what the paint looked like, but they will always remember having fun sailing with Uncle Dennis. Good for you! Keep your eye on the ball. Just my 2 cents.
God Bless
Dan

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 22:30:17

Hi Dan, I just can't bring myself to paint it with house paint. I am power washing it Friday and sailing it Monday with my sister just to figure out what needs to be fixed or addressed. After the power wash, I'll know what I have to work with. Cheers.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 07:45:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 ...After the power wash, I'll know what I have to work with...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Maybe bare gelcoat! (Housepaint?? It doesn't even stick to houses! It only sticks to the car that was next to the house when you painted it...

)

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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 16:38:48

At the risk of lighting a small bonfire here, I can offer a little first hand experience. I say bonfire, because my experience contradicts the general wisdom. I have painted two boats, topsides, cockpit and deck with Interlux Brightside one part paint, using rollers and foam brushes. One was a South Coast 23, hull No. 1, built 1960. The second is my C25 1979, FK SR. I painted the South Coast in 1982 or 83, and sold it in 1989 still looking very good with some occaional touch up. The C25 I did year before last. It needs some touch up on the cockpit and deck, but the hull looks great so far. Experience is that the hull holds up better because it is not so exposed to the sun as are the deck and cockpit. It is true that once you paint you are forever committed to painting, but if you keep after it it is no worse than oiling teak. Probably not as bad, now that I think of it. I also used the Krylon plastic paint last summer to do the interior of my C25. It took about 12 cans and a really good respirator. It gave good coverage, and I am overall pleased, but I would not recommend it for any surface which is subject to wear or scratching. It is not tough enough, I have several little scratches in my cabin already from things such as throwing the winch handles on the little shelf above the curtain burner. I have painted two interiors with Brightsides. It is a much better choice, just a lot more work.

I don't know what the local equivalent would be, but when I lived in New Orleans, some of the sailors there swore by the store brand polyurethane paint from K & B drugstores. The theory was that K&B didn't own a paint factory and had to buy it from somebody who did. There were a lot of boats in that area painted with that paint.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 18:09:44

hey Charles - no bon fire...I've used that stuff on the entire cabin of a 32 foot Evelyn. Talk about a buzz.

If you roll on the awl grip you are really wasting your money because you'll get the same look with rustoleum in a can. Spraying is the recommended method - just wear the appropriate protective gear.

Edited by - Champipple on 05/15/2007 18:15:48

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 18:43:12

I use the Brightside also on the Capri, I would do it again with Algrip. I did spary it, I used all the right gear, and it was a hot job. The Brightside didn't come out as shiny as I would have liked, but for the topsides, and the cockpit your not going to want a shinny surface. The sun is blinding enough with out the added glare.

I would use a flat 2 part paint, you can roll it or take 90% of your time in prep work and spray it. Remember you have to remove the tape after 1 week at the longest, if it rains you will be picking off 1" torn strips of tape.

Just by experence

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 19:06:00

Not a sail boat, but an example of Brightsides:

Obviously not the top side.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 19:55:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 ...Obviously not the top side.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Looks like the topsides to me, but not the deck.

Pretty kayak!

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2007 : 18:36:37

One more opinion:

No matter what you coat it with, preparation is 90% of the work, and will be the largest single determining factor in the appearance of the results. So I'd pressure wash, scrub with detergent and those mildly abrasive scrubby pads used for floor finishing and general household scrubbing. Then see what you've got. Probably wet sand with about 220 or finer, fill any major gouges with epoxy based putty (WEST with a sandable filler), sand to 320.

For paint, I'd go with one of the better marine 1-part paints, a light color (but not pure white) for decks, whatever strikes your fancy for bottom and topsides. You can get non-skid additive for use where the decks and cockpit look too slick. Apply per printed instructions, leaning towards more thin coats rather than fewer thick ones. After the first coat, glance around for major cosmetic flaws you would have fixed before, if you'd seen them sooner. Using cheap paint brushes, I've gotten results so good people thought the boats had been sprayed. One 'secret' to a smooth finish is keeping a small container of brushing thinner within reach as you paint. At the first sign of streaking or dragging, stir a tiny bit into the pot.

By the way, since this is an inexpensive knockabout for young kids, it's a fine opportunity to go crazy with more than one or two colors and a couple rolls of good masking tape. See if the kids would like to get involved in the design (or even application) of a unique custom paint job.

-- Leon S.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2007 : 21:04:01

Hi Leon, check out this link. I have been painting with Ron for 10+ years. I'd like to do a really wild paintjob on the little boat but just found out that my C27 will be here on June 7th so now, I just want to clean it, fix it, paint it, and give it to the kids. I will have my hands full with the C27. Cheers.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2007 : 11:11:49

Ummm... What link? (Is it a secret between you and Leon?)

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2007 : 13:30:55

Lowes has marine enamel made by Rustoleum. Give the kids a brush and they can help.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2007 : 15:30:52

Here you go.

http://www.finchscustoms.com/index.htm

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