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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Painting cockpit benches

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ckroll
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/12/2011 : 06:48:54

Well we did a real amateur thing when repairing our cockpit floor...somehow one of us got a light coating of epoxy on something we were using and now we have some "spots" scattered across both benches. Obviously no amount of scrubbing will get this stuff off so our next thought is to paint just the topside of the benches. I know there are probably several post regarding painting on this forum but was hoping just to get a quick answer as to the simplest solution to our problem. Keep in mind this is NOT a show boat so a super finish is not my goal. White, durable and easy to apply. I guess I should also add that this boat is in fresh water and in a mild climate (South Carolina). Thanks in advance!

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 07:21:24

Can you do any good with a razor blade (single edged)? ...or a little grinder or wire brush on a Dremel (with a light touch)? I'd risk some damage to the gelcoat before resorting to paint on an area that gets that much wear and tear

10-15 years in the SC sun and the epoxy should turn brown and flake off--it doesn't do well in sunlight. Maybe you could find out what John Boehner uses...

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Rick6027
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 09:40:03

A couple of full length cockpit cushions should hide the spots quite nicely!

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 09:49:00

In case you haven't figured it out, painting gelcoat is a bad idea around here unless there is ABSOLUTELY nothing else that will work.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 10:10:20

Yepper Gelcoat is the only thing to put on gelcoat.. and my fav quote on amateur painting...

"LOOKS GOOD FROM FAR AND FAR FROM GOOD!"

( don't mean to sound so negative but most paint in that environment ends up a mess )

Edited by - redeye on 04/12/2011 10:34:11

ckroll
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 10:43:06

I may try the wire brush trick. That crossed my mind but was very concerned with creating more damage than we've already done. As for the cushions.... dem puppies aint cheap!! I'm using this boat to learn to sail and test the water (so to speak) of my interest. If time and interest allow, I may put some more money in the boat but more likely, sell it and get something that's already "purty" and rigged well.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2011 : 19:49:36

Paint might be the most damage you can create in that situation. Later owners might be trying to look you up...

Half a dozen "throwable" cushions would be cheaper and (IMHO) more useful and easier to stow.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/12/2011 19:51:48

ckroll
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 05:08:26

Cushions are a definite and I think I've heard enough negative comments regarding painting to steer me well clear of that option. Just bugs the crap out of me knowing those spots are there. As always, thanks for the advice!

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 06:33:13

While I agree that painting should be an absolute last resort, there are times when it is unavoidable, because the damage done to the gelcoat might be so severe, or a repair might be so extensive, that it can't be ignored. When the condition is that severe, painting is the only viable option.

When you paint a boat, you also have to do something to restore the non-skid surface, because the paint impairs the non-skid effect, and, if you don't restore it, it will be dangerous to work on a wet deck. There are additives to paint that can restore non-skid.

The modern paints that have been developed for painting boats are much better than in the past. I have seen brush-painted boats that look as smooth and shiny as if they were sprayed, and, as far as I can tell, the paint holds up well.

An alternative you might consider is that, occasionally someone parts out a C25 and sells the parts in our Swap Meet. If the worst damage is to a locker lid, you could get lucky and find a reasonably priced replacement by periodically checking Swap Meet.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 07:35:58

Been there and done something like that! I used a scalpel to cut the offensive drip out. Couldn't tell it ever happened.

Paul

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.