Thoughts on painting a boat

[dutchboy]

I'm thinking of repainting a Tuffy fiberglass boat. Am I correct in thinking this should be no different then painting a Corvett with a fiberglass body? I will have a body shop do the actual work. Does anybody think special paint will be required or can they spray regular auto paint? Currantly I have a grey hull, most likely would go to black. Anything special or just prime and shoot a cover coat?

Thanks for the input.

[Kyle Posterick]

Refinished a crestliner tin boat this spring, my old man has been doing body work and paint for years. Went from a worn out crestliner blue to a metallic flake one off. He never even blinked at the thought of using quality paint and sealers on a boat. I would tend to think your boat will be the same way...

[KidWalleye]

I have also thought about doing this. my concern what that with a fiberglass boat vs a fiberglass car body.
a boat body takes alot more abuse and flexes alot more then a car body. would auto body paint crack with all the flexing?


Gary

[lou gill]

Just be reminded that a boat is made in with the color showing through the gel coat (reversed out) and a corvette is made with paint sprayed on the outside not using gel coat. I don't know if the gel coat acts as a flex modifier or any other type of barrier??

Lou

[dutchboy]

Maybe we can get a car body guy who has done something like this to chime in? This is a older boat (1990) restore and I only want to do the paint once, but I really want to change the color. For what it's worth there is no fleck in the paint either.

[S.Larson]

Dutchboy,......

Have a look over at the i-boats forums,........

Lot's of guy's rebuilding boats and a couple of the Mods do boat repair for a living,....

Just a thought,.........

[Pezman38]

Two types are normally used, re-gel, or Imron. Both seem to work great, check these out.

Spraying gel here is a decent write-up on it.
http://www.bbcboards.net/bassboat-re...need-help.html

This restore blows my mind.
Imron restore
http://www.bbcboards.net/bassboat-re...ter-201-a.html

[THROWINWOOD]

Automotive paint works fine on boats ,fiberglass or aluminum as long as proper surface prep is done and a good foundation is used. I prefer epoxy primer on both aluminum and glass. Automotive paints do not work well below the waterline. They will bubble ,blister and delaminate after prolong use below the waterline.

Dave