Sanding/Repainting

[neoxaero]

My boat is damn near 40 years old and is still sporting the original gel coat. We'll just say its not in the best of condition. Sitting on the desk or rubbing against the hull results in an annoying chalk appearing all over you.

In an effort to make the ole girl shine again I've decided to paint it. Since its had some spots filled in over the years from her bumping against a dock and such.

I've pretty much decided to with Interlux Brightsides for the sides (Thats the 1part, ya?)

My questions here is... How far down do I sand? Obviously I want to remove the oxidized chalky stuff but will doing this cause me to go all the way down to the glass? I realize the paint probably wont last 30+ years, but I'd like to get a solid 3-5 years out of it.

Thanks!

[deniseO30]

It's actually still easier to bring back the old gelcoat then paint it

[fordo]

Use compound(or wet sand) to remove the chalk and then decide if you want to paint. Read MaineSail's sticky on restoring the topsides. Obviously you don't wax anything if you decide to paint. There is probably enough good gelcoat under the chalk that you won't have to take it down to the fiberglass.

[Ulladh]

I would second Denise, try and bring back the old gelcoat first.

I use Brightside, the gelcoat had already been painted and was in poor condition. I light sand and repaint every spring.

The paint surface at fender locations gets a surface rash and dirt ground into to the surface.

[neoxaero]

My intent when I bought the boat was to wetsand/buff to clean up the gel coat but the PO fixed some spots along the sides that i'm assuming had some gouges in to the fiberglass, but i'm honestly not sure.. Since this was done i figured the next best course of action is to sand/repaint since buffing this filler isn't an option

So do I just sand it down a bit.. wash it and see if it still comes off as chalk?

I'm not expecting a professional paint job here but I'd like for it to be a 20/20 paint job (Looks good from 20ft or in 20knts of wind.. )

[Ulladh]

Looks like you can forget restoring the gelcoat.

Fill and sand to make smooth as possible, then light sand the entire surface.

Clean and remove dust then use a primer Interlux Pre-Kote Primer for One-Part Finishes
The primer will show any defects in the previous fill and sand, then light sand again and touch up the primer.
Then roll on the Brightside.
If you are working outdoors, stay within the manufactures temperature recommendation and only paint when in the shade.

Depending on your local conditions you may need to light sand and re-coat every year or every other year.

[L124C]

Just repainted my topsides and part of the hull with Rustolium Top Side (single part) paint. Very happy with it so far, let's see how long it lasts. $10 a quart, $20 dollars for the primer. Found it at Lowe's and I think ACE hardware can order it. Limited color palate, but they certainly have White, Navy Blue and Red! In Don Casey's Book "Sailboat Maintenance" he suggests that it's not worth painting hulls with single part paint. He basis this on durability, and ease of application due to lack of obstacles on hulls (unlike decks). If I find I have to repaint the hull every year, I'll be agreeing with him! He also goes into detail regarding Gel Coat repair. Great book IMO.

[DonScribner]

If there's paint on it already, go with 1 part paint. 2 part has compatibility issues that the 1 part doesn't. You can roll and tip. Some folks have great luck with it. I'm usually very handy and detail oriented but my tip & roll job was fair. To do it again, I'd spray.

[TQA]

I have had a similar quandry and made the decision to go the two pack route.

The existing paint finish was sanded off and some of the gelcoat.

2 coats of epoxy primer

3 coats of AWLGRIP

= 1 shiny boat!

From ELEPHANTS CHILD

[SailingWebGuy]

I painted mine with Brightside this spring. It still looks really good. I took this photo last weekend.