Painting

AirborneJarhead · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006

I'm in need of suggestions or help in finding info on painting the deck, cockpit and cabin trunk of my good old boat. She's got stress cracks and chips and there is absolutely no shine. I plan on using a one part polyeurethane. Do I need to prime the areas to be painted?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
BTW, she's a 1970 Columbia 28.

Thanks,
Rick

eryka · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006

Rick - The old saw about "you only need to prime the areas you don't want to redo next year" is even more true in the harsh marine environment than it is on land. ABSOLUTELY prime!

We used Interlux "Brightside" and the corresponding sanded paint for nonskid areas, 2 coats of paint over 2 coats of primer, 3 years ago and it has stood up very well. The label directions, IIRC, provide pretty good guidance.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006

Eryka's advice is sound as usual.

I would also do any repairs for the causes of the stress cracks before going ahead with any painting. Since you're probably going to have to sand and prime, you might as well sand, re-inforce, sand and prime...instead... makes the boat a bit stronger and prettier at the same time... but doesn't really take much longer than just painting it would.