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Paint Hull-DIY or Hire?

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CateP
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USA
108 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/05/2013 : 08:45:45

We are thinking about painting our hull next spring and I am researching how to do it. It looks like we have to sand and fill and sand as part of the prep and I'm concerned we will make a huge mess of the boats nearby.

Has anyone painted their own hull and can advise on this project?

Also has anyone paid someone to paint their hull and can share approximate cost?

Edited by - on

sfsmith
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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 09:25:02

This spring I'm doing both. I usually put a coat of VC17 on the hull myself and get as much as I can on the bottom of the wing keel. (I can never coat it entirely due to the rollers it sits on while on the trailer.) The paint has been flaking on the keel, so this spring I'm having my marina paint it. If I had a safe, reliable system for raising the boat off its trailer I would do it all myself. It's a messy job, but not hard. The key to getting the most out of the paint is to avoid evaporation. I use a 7-inch foam roller, keeping the tray covered when I'm not applying paint to the roller. I also keep the paint can covered, and add just a small amount to the tray at a time. I work fast, and can usually put a thin coat on the hull and keel in less than an hour. I put a coat on it every spring, and I can get one coat from a quart can. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you're in a well-ventilated area. The fumes are bad.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 09:34:55

Do you mean the "topsides" of the hull (as with urethane), or the bottom (as with bottom paint). The answers are very different.

If the former, our first question to you is, why are thinking about it?

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/05/2013 09:39:24

CateP
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108 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 09:50:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 Do you mean the "topsides" of the hull (as with urethane), or the bottom (as with bottom paint). The answers are very different.

If the former, our first question to you is, why are thinking about it?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Painting hull as in urethane (not bottom paint). The reason why we are thinking about it is because the PO did a crappy job painting it and there are all kinds of spider cracks in it, bubbles, curtaining etc. AND our "touch ups" look splotchy. From a distance it looks great. Now that we are on the hard, up close it looks pretty bad.

Edited by - on

glen
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359 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 10:32:54

OK everyone will try to talk you out of this, and for good reasons. Our Gel coat was way past ever looking acceptable and nice, so a few years ago we painted our 1979 swinger. We did both the deck and hull ourselves for under $400, but the work involved is ponderous. If you do the deck you will need to remove everything that you can, you will sand, and sand and then sand some more. Wipe it down with certain nasty preps, and prime it. Then apply 3 to 4 coats of paint (did I mention sanding, you will need to do it between coats). We used Interlux Bright Sides, and one person rolls it on while the other follows with a brush. We were lucky we had someone who let us use there pole barn, I would not want to do this in the open air, but in the barn you have to deal with the fumes. Then you can expect to toutch it up every now and then. If you are of a certain age, you will recall painting was just part of the joys of owning a boat.
The other option is to have it done professionally with a better paint. This option will hold up for years, but the price of that may equal the value of the boat. I am happy with the job we did. I am glad I did it (even gladder it over, well sort of over, remember the toutch up) It’s not great but the overall appearance of the boat has greatly improved.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 11:55:16

Capri 25, but same deal:
Bottom Scrape/Sand/Fill
[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2057+69"]

[/url]

Bottom Paint Job
[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2057+100"]

[/url]

Topsides
[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2057+112"]

[/url]

If I get ambitious, and do the deck, I'll update this post.

Edited by - shnool on 11/05/2013 11:56:43

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 12:13:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glen
 OK everyone will try to talk you out of this, and for good reasons...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...well, maybe not in Cate's case. What she's seeing is why we usually try--cracks, chips, peeling, painted craters,... She's past the point of no return.

I have friends who've had Awlgrip and Imron applied professionally, and get about 10 years before it's time again (for their tastes). Costs vary widely by the applier and prep needed.

The prep is indeed messy--lots of machine sanding, although a vacuum can be employed with some effectiveness. As much as the paint seems to be trying to peel off, when you want to take it off, it becomes tenacious! My experience is limited (happily) so I'll leave it there.

Good luck!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/05/2013 12:18:05

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 15:41:05

I agree the Rubicon was crossed by the PO, now she has to deal with it by repainting. Are you going to check into soda blasting the topsides? The guy I used for my bottom made most of his money doing Corvettes so I would not be afraid of getting the topsides done. You may then not only have a beautifully prepped surface but possibly even have other choices you could make.

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 20:52:09

Cate, if you can get the old stuff off, try this:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

You might want to write to Maine Sail and ask him, too.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 22:21:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stu Jackson C34
 Cate, if you can get the old stuff off, try this: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...or you could go sailing. Whew!

If you can get down to gelcoat, perhaps by soda blasting, it hasn't been worn through (by someone like Maine Sail), and you can get to a uniform color, Poly Glow is easy and effective for bringing old gelcoat back to what I'll call a 90% shine that will last. 4-6 initial coats takes literally a couple of hours. One coat each year thereafter keeps it looking nice.

Click on Passage below to see her 21 year old hull a few years after my initial Poly Glow job, and several months after her spring dress-coat. She didn't look like a Concours Bentley, but she wasn't ashamed to leave and return to the marina. (Note the reflections of the fenders.) And she sold in about 30 hours, 15 minutes after the first lookers saw her.

Of course, if the gelcoat is toast,... carry on.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/05/2013 22:22:50

CateP
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USA
108 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2013 : 14:15:31

Okay-here is some more info. I called our sailing guru here on Lake Winnipesaukee (NH) and got a quote for $5k to paint hull with Awlgrip. (Wow!!) I told him the PO painted the hull with Pettit Bright side paint and he said those types of paints are too "soft" and a two-part paint should be used. He said automotive paint is an alternative. I am going to sail over his way this summer and have him look at the hull and advise on DIY.

FYI- I am thinking of this as a winter project that won't take way from precious sailing time. AND I love working on my boat. It's part of the fun of owning it.

Edited by - CateP on 11/07/2013 14:18:55

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2013 : 15:44:42

Interlux and Pettit make 2-part polyurethane paints suitable for DIY... The process is more tine-sensitive. Interlux's 1-part Brightsides is a compromise for simplicity. Either will look nice--the variable is for how long. But gelcoat is probably "softer" (although thicker) than either one.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/07/2013 15:51:14

Voyager
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5352 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2013 : 07:03:35

I used Interlux Brightsides 1 part poly paint on my 16 foot day sailer. With a bit of hard work prepping, sanding and faring, I had a nice looking "new" 1976 boat. Got plenty of offers for her. After 2-3 years with moderate use, there were some dings and touch-ups. After about 5 years I needed to start over.
I've got a friend from my old marina with a Sabre sailboat, 35-40 ft, that he used 2-part poly to re-do. It shines! I've known him for over 6 years and it looks as nice today as it did when I first met him. He got it done by a pro and he said it was worth every cent.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
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1773 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2013 : 06:08:02

One other option that was touched on here is to talk to auto body shops. Some, especially in less populated or seasonal areas may want to take on the project as a filler for when they are otherwise slow. If it is to be a winter project they may keep the boat for the winter and do the prep work on their schedule al for far less than a boat yard. I'd at least pursue, especially where you are which is very seasonal.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2013 : 08:31:39

Good idea... Tell them it's just an upside-down Corvette.

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dmpilc
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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2013 : 09:00:16

The go-to guy who paints C-22's here in the southeast uses Imron paint - same stuff used at the factory on 18-wheeler tractors. Had him do ours. Great job, but for the expense, and the chipping hazard, I would not do it again. Do a seroius buff and polish as long as possible.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2013 : 17:49:38

Brightsides is easy to do, roll and tip.

after a season:

Edited by - shnool on 11/12/2013 17:51:18

CateP
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USA
108 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2013 : 14:06:50

Hmm. Re-thinking this since others posted. Interlux Brightside (DIY) may be the way to go for us. It may not be a perfectly professional job, but I bet it will look a whole lot better than it does now. Happy to do the prep work and roll and tip this spring. Will show before and after so others can see. (Going with dark blue over dark blue)

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2013 : 14:41:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CateP
 ...(Going with dark blue over dark blue)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">"over..."? Going on your decription, the old blue paint should probably come off (or 90+% off). Otherwise, your chances of getting a smooth result that will stick are slim. The edges of aged chipped and broken paint don't smooth out well, and any cracking and peeling of the old stuff will continue under the new. The new paint might even loosen the old, which will make you very sad.

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shnool
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Response Posted - 11/13/2013 : 19:03:45

Sand with 120 grit, and again with 300... prime, and paint with brightsides.. My guess is she's not looking for the $5000 paint job, but one that keeps his $5000 boat from looking like a $300 one. I get it... and totally identify with it.

Mine is a 10 foot paintjob, looks it, and it's fine, no one will accuse me of making a perfectly smooth run free paint job... Boat still turns heads, and is one of the nicer looking ones in the club... that works for me. My guess it'll work for you as well...

Keep in mind Brightsides is a 2-4 year paintjob, not a 15 year paintjob. It's not as stinky, its easy to apply, and can cover a lot.

Edited by - shnool on 12/09/2013 18:56:39

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2013 : 19:18:13

...if you're confident the old paint you're covering won't peel or crack under the new.

Otherwise I agree--a fresh, shiny coat will dress her up--all things being relative.

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pastmember
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Response Posted - 11/14/2013 : 11:15:50

How about trading up to a nicer boat. There are a lot of nice affordable boats out there.

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CateP
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USA
108 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2013 : 15:49:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 How about trading up to a nicer boat. There are a lot of nice affordable boats out there.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

"Mysterious" is part of the family. We love to work on her and take care of her. It's part of the fun.

Edited by - CateP on 12/10/2013 08:58:29

redeye
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Response Posted - 12/10/2013 : 05:19:27

Yepper.. If I ever finished everything I wanted to do on my boat I'd probably sell her and buy another neglected gem.

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