How to paint a boat

[Basstronics]

I mostly use denatured alcohol. I know some people like to use rubbing alcohol but that stuff contains water and other additives.
The reason I use alky is because I was painting an ABS boat hull. Acetone and plastic do not get along with each other very well.

Wonderful. So I pick up some of this. My goal was to fix the area where paint wouldnt stick. Did some wet sanding. Dried the area. Went to use this and presto. Lifted all the lacquer paint I had down...

Terrific!

Now I gotta fully repaint a sponson...

[dana]

yeah, stay away from anything but water and soap once youve already got paint on there. alcohol is a good cleaner beofre you put paint on, but not good when you have paint on already.

[Basstronics]

Painting is not my strong suit.



I sanded it down and used some degreaser-dewaxer stuff I had from painting a fender on a beater car. I had JUST enough paint to get the small sponson done.

Hopefully it turns out.

[Basstronics]

OK I put on two of the small cans of Testors "wet look clear"

I then wet sanded it with 1000 grit. I decided to hit the sponsons and front with rubbing compound to see how good I did or didnt do. I can see easily where I didnt sand things smooth.

So Im going to have to sand more. However Im scared of breaking through the clear. So as long as I clean it with dawn dishsoap and hot water, dry it fully- I can re-clear it? Or am I screwed at this point? I got $30 into paint already...

[dana]

You should be fine to reclear. Rattle cans are mostly solvents and contain little solids, so you may need from 15 to 20 coats to get a desired 2mm of film build

[Basstronics]

Dang, Im going to try getting away with less. With two more cans I should get 10-11 coats on it, maybe 12 in total. Its looking good but I can see every defect I didnt get in the epoxy stage. Next time I know better.

[dana]

Well it also depends on how you apply it. Try putting it on wet... You may be able to fill some of the orange peel

[Basstronics]

Say what? I understand what orange peel is and I think its always going to happen with spray cans. The little bit of light sanding I did took out 95% of it it.

The last time I painted I did 3 coats with 20 minutes between. Paint says it can be recoated after 20 minutes.

[dana]

Just follow the introductions on the can, and don't do more than 3 coats per day. I imagine your finish may look a bit like the texture on a basketball.... That's what orange peel means. Prolly not as rough as basketball but you get the idea

[Basstronics]

Yup. Lots of little spots. Where I sanded smooth is real nice. Then i hit it with 3M rubbing compound.

[Raptorcize]

What is the best way to remove paint from a fiberglass hull without disturbing the gelcoat?

[dana]

What is the best way to remove paint from a fiberglass hull without disturbing the gelcoat?

Depends what the paint is and what your definition of "disturbing"is

[Raptorcize]

Enamel paint and I would not want to sand through the gelcoat

[dana]

Try some thinner. Gel coat is pretty tough

[Raptorcize]

Thanks!