Paint, Gelcoat or Restore?

[wufibugs]

I have to haul and paint the bottom of my 1986 Hunter 31. I had a detailer look at the hull and topsides and he concluded the gelcoat should be buffed etc and recommended against painting. I noted that running my hand over the hull left a white film, like a whitewashed fence. Not sure if that was old boatwash or oxidized (?) gelcoat, or if he was wrong and it was paint. There are a few spider cracks and chips on deck that need gelcoat repair.

Spent a few hours searching the archives and I am undecided as to what is the best course: A two part paint, recoat with gelcoat, or restore the gelcoat following mainsail's wonderfully detailed instructions.

For a boat that spends its life in salt water at San Diego's moderate temperature, I am thinking Mircron 66 for the bottom.

 

[MrUnix]

The white stuff that comes off on your fingers is oxidized gelcoat. I would go with the recommendation of your detailer and bring the gelcoat back up to a shine. If it is as bad as you describe, you might need to give it a good wet sanding first.. 5 minutes with the polisher will let you know if it's needed or not. Gelcoat will last a lot longer than paint and is much more protective, so I generally consider painting a measure of last resort. The chips and spider cracks can also be easily repaired with gelcoat.

PS: I'm going through this exact same procedure right now on my '85 H23 which sat out in the Florida weather for way too long without any protection. The end result is well worth it.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Steve Dion]

I would only paint a boat as a last resort.

Maine Sail has a very good hands on to buff out a hull. This would always be my first choice before painting (never ending job).

Small areas that need repairs can be re-sprayed with gel coat if needed. This is usually best left for the pros.

 

[Hermit Scott]

After a few years of reading the archives, agonizing, making up my mind, reading the archives again, post something, change my mind then repeat the process, I have decided to not paint the topsides. I am going to try polishing them again in the winter. I have done extensive modifications and repairs to the deck. I am going to roll and tip perfection 2 part from the rubrail up. I haven't agonized enough about the non-skid yet to come to a conclusion.

 

[woodster]

I haven't agonized enough about the non-skid yet to come to a conclusion.

well start with KIWE GRIP

regards

woody

 

[Steve Dion]

Woody: I think Kiwi Grip is "the" best for the non-skid. Easy to apply and VERY economical. Wears well too.

If one uses this process, I would suggest that they double roll it for a more agressive finish. I would also suggest that you use white vs. the colors, but that is preference.

 

[kenn]

Our little boat's hull and deck have been neglected, including by us :cry: , but this week I've been going at the hull using Mainesail's excellent article on gelcoat care and feeding as the gold standard.

So far, I've only done the washing, some light wet-sanding with #1000 wet/dry paper and compounding, but a decade or more of oxide has now been removed and the improvement is already noticeable. We'll be completing the glazing, polishing and waxing steps this weekend.

It wouldn't cost alot for you to try sanding, compounding and polishing a small 2x2 area of the worst part of your hull, and you'll see right away whether this will restore the finish.

 

[Dave Groshong]

aye aye, for the non skid areas:

http://shop.SailboatOwners.com/detail.htm?group=1292

 

[woodster]

Woody: I think Kiwi Grip is "the" best for the non-skid. Easy to apply and VERY economical. Wears well too.

If one uses this process, I would suggest that they double roll it for a more agressive finish. I would also suggest that you use white vs. the colors, but that is preference.

i agree with you on both......i never remember one coat of anything ever being enough......and i like the white thing as well.....with out white there would have never been saddle oxfords

regards

woody