Any painting experts know when it's time to paint the fiberglass hull? I've got a 1988 Cal and am concerned about losing the gel coat, currently I've been waxing twice a year and the hull is an off-white color.
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not yet!
I'm assuming yours is the boat in the foreground, I can't see it too well, but I'd hold off until it turns yellow and dried out. Off-white is ok, and usually the orginal gel coat will last as long as a good coat of wax is applied to the hull.
I'm assuming yours is the boat in the foreground, I can't see it too well, but I'd hold off until it turns yellow and dried out. Off-white is ok, and usually the orginal gel coat will last as long as a good coat of wax is applied to the hull.
Already!
I know that salt water is tough on boats but an '88 Cal?! My '79, admittedly on fresh water, still waxes up nicely. And it's a Hunter!
I know that salt water is tough on boats but an '88 Cal?! My '79, admittedly on fresh water, still waxes up nicely. And it's a Hunter!
Painting hull
William, It's time to paint your hull when "you" think it's time. If your gelcoat is not all crazed or totally faded and waxes up nicely, why paint. What you may want to try is some wet sanding to remove oxidation and refresh your gelcoat.Use 800 wet or dry sandpaper on a soft sanding block or better yet a pneumatic orbital sander, step up to 1000, compound with a buffer and then polish and wax. Try a small area at the bottom of the transom to see what result you'll get. It's nowhere near as much work as the prep needed to paint if you were thinking of doing it yourself. Good luck.
William, It's time to paint your hull when "you" think it's time. If your gelcoat is not all crazed or totally faded and waxes up nicely, why paint. What you may want to try is some wet sanding to remove oxidation and refresh your gelcoat.Use 800 wet or dry sandpaper on a soft sanding block or better yet a pneumatic orbital sander, step up to 1000, compound with a buffer and then polish and wax. Try a small area at the bottom of the transom to see what result you'll get. It's nowhere near as much work as the prep needed to paint if you were thinking of doing it yourself. Good luck.
Best Polish!
Once a year with Starbrite Boat Polish with Teflon (easy on/easy off!). I've been using this on my O'Day 22 for the past 20 years plus. The topsides still look good.
Once a year with Starbrite Boat Polish with Teflon (easy on/easy off!). I've been using this on my O'Day 22 for the past 20 years plus. The topsides still look good.
Best polish
William I am no painting expert! But then what is the definition of an expert, My algebra teacher taught me that x is an unknow quantity and spert is a drip under pressure. Who knows what an expert really is. What I do know is that a friend of mine put poliglow on his boat and it shone up really nice, so nice as a matter of fact that when we are ready to launch our boat this year we too are going to apply that stuff. It works great. Don't paint if there is an easier way to get the boat looking good. dirk
William I am no painting expert! But then what is the definition of an expert, My algebra teacher taught me that x is an unknow quantity and spert is a drip under pressure. Who knows what an expert really is. What I do know is that a friend of mine put poliglow on his boat and it shone up really nice, so nice as a matter of fact that when we are ready to launch our boat this year we too are going to apply that stuff. It works great. Don't paint if there is an easier way to get the boat looking good. dirk
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