A couple of years ago, I got a really great deal on a 1977 boat/motor/trailer combo. It had been sitting for several years (there were even small trees growing in the seats!) The boat is a 17-foot fiberglass Johnsen. We all pitched in with Clorox and scrubbed the boat back to life when we first got it... but it’s been sitting for the most part because the trailer was showing it’s age. I just finished restoring the trailer (Gawd I hate doing wheel bearings!) but it all turned out great.

So now for the boat. The interior is a very pale blue with darker splotches of blue. The exterior has faded so much, it’s hard to tell what the original color was…a light blue is my best guess.

I have all the stuff to lightly sand it but then what?
I want to paint the exterior a gloss white and pick up some car door graphics (splashes or splotches) and stick them on the sides to really set it off…but what primer and what kind of paint? I have a compressor but no spray gun. I’d like to use a brush if possible.
Anyone done this before or got any tips?
Thanks!

 

I own aluminum myself, but I know some fiberglass folks. Don't know if they were using gelcoat back then; if they were, Gelcoat is extremely tough to get paint to stick to. The proper primer is key. They make primers specifically for fiberglass/gelcoat surfaces. These primers soften and self etch the gelcoat, giving better adhesion than sanding can give.

Best paints to use are 2 part urethane or 2 part epoxy paints. Whatever paint you buy, get the recomended primer of same brand. Primer is soooooooo much more important than the actual finish paint. Best bet would probably be to roll it on, one person with the roller, and another trailing behind with a brush to smooth out the little bead that will form at the bottom of the roller stroke. Check out Westmarine for lots of paint choices, info, etc.
www.westmarine.com
You said you were thinking white, that's good. Dark colors on fiberglass are bad. Fiberglass is basically plastic, a dark color will soak up more heat. This can lead to major warping.

 

Use AWLGRIP...a monkey could put it on and make it look good. Prep work is deff. the key. Whatever you do DO NOT use any kind of paint unless its intended for use on fiberglass hulls. Regular paint wont stick properly and will peel off the first season.


This might help,
http://www.awlgrip.com/pages/app_guide/chap1.htm

 

The info and links are a big help. I started on it today.
Thanks
Jeff

 

No problem,, good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

First, thanks again for both links! I found out there was a West Marine store only a mile from where I work! Cool!

And now for the BAD news. For anyone considering doing this, be advised to have a SUBSTANTIAL amount of cash on hand. For example....
Primer? $100.00 per gallon! Paint? $100.00 per gallon!
Stuff to patch the holes that I have to COMPLETELY grind out. $35.00 (needed to fix the little blisters just under the paint.) They are a lot like what cars get when they rust out. It's all gotta come out, dry for several days, be prepared, filled, sanded, primed, cleaned, etc
Sandpaper, cheese cloth, special brushes, stuff to prep the hull, stuff to clean and grind the hull between sandings and painting.....another $100.00.
And this is the MINIMUM amount I'm looking at. If it stayed in the water more than on the trailer, it would be even more! (gulp!)
This is looking a lot like what I remember about my drag racing days!
Oh yeah, I just confirmed all this info today. To top it off, last night there was considerable discussion on why I just HAD to have the graphics I found (to run down the sides of the boat) for $110.00?
I just can't WAIT to tell her the REST of the story!
Jeff

 

I told you painting it with Awlgrip would be easy...I just forgot to elaborate on the prep and the $$$...SORRY!!

 

"a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into..."

 

B..Break
O..Out
A..Another
T..Thousand

 

^^^


Thanks for the tip BREWDUDE - I'm thinking of getting a boat. I have heard rumors, they are high maintenance.

~BUT~

Sucks fishing from the bank all the time.

 

A guy once told me you'll have two good days with your boat.
The day you buy it and the day you sell it! LOL.

Wife said ok to the budget busting make over.......just not all at once, so the rebuild is on! Should be done in April. I'll try to get some pics in my gallery soon.
Jeff

 

cool, good for you. Im sure it will be a fun project for you. Let us know if you have any other questions. Im sure we could help you out.

Boats are cool and a lot of fun. ANd yes it is more fun to fish off your boat than to fish off the banks. I just wish I could afford the boat I want.

VIKING 45 open



Or this one. The VIKING 56 convertible