Paint Color

[DayDreamer41]

We recently purchased a 2007 Hunter 41 DS very nice dark blue, the previous owner had a few scratches along the length of the hull, said to have happened when they were docked along some floating docks.

Anyway a couple of the scrapes are in need of repair and I have not as of yet been successful locating a paint color code, or supplier of the original color. I realize that after almost 10 years the color would have changed but it would be nice starting with the original color. Any help would be appreciated, would like to get these fixed prior to relaunching next spring.

Mark

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The paint would have been done at the owner's request at or after commissioning so there is no way to definitively tell other than by talking to him.

Given the timeframe, it's a good bet it was Awlgrip which was the preferred paint 10 years ago and color charts are widely available from that era.

Having been down this road, you can be certain what you've got now won't match out of the can paint color given its weathering so it is a moot point. Our experience with this is you have two options:
Expensive but mediocre repair or fairing and respraying. Others likely won't notice the repair option but you will. The choice is a function of how much of a perfectionist you are.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Don,
I understand that the blue or painted hull would have been requested by the original owner, but all the later model Hunters I have seen with blue hulls are the same very dark blue. I was thinking about repair with color tinted gel coat, would that not be the way to go?

Mark

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Mark
Just like with generic paint, matching is an art form more than a science. Gelcoat always dries a different color than when applied. I've tried over the years to patch color on our last two boats due to scratches. Once when a transient dock crew told me our 13.5 foot beam boat would fit in a 13 foot wide dock.
Some who aren't as picky as me find patches acceptable.

Maybe you will have better luck than me.

 

[kloudie1]

If hull was originally that color, it is most likely gel coat and not paint.. so yup, a gel coat repair would be fine.

 

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[SEMPERAVANTI41]

My 2007 41 DS was painted by Hunter but NOT at the factory. The work was subbed out to St. Augustine Marine Center. A few years ago I contacted them and they still had the original work papers. Turns out my boat was painted with Awlcraft 2000 in flag blue. My boat also had gotten some scrapes on both sides. I looked into having the boat "touched up", but ended up have the entire boat repainted as no one thought they could do this properly. ( I still have an unopened can of paint & other products needed) The boat was redone in Alexseal, and came out fantastic. Please see picture taken just after we installed name on boat.

 

[Bosman]

Don't quote me on that, but if this is factory gelcoat, the colour is likely to be either:
RAL 5003 Sapphire blue, or
RAL 5013 Cobalt blue
These are most commonly used "dark blues" and belong to so called RAL Classic colour charts ( http://www.ral-farben.de/en/PRODUCTS-SHOP/RAL-CLASSIC/RAL-K7.html) Your local gelcoat supplier will (should) have colour cards - you might be able to borrow it and match it up. Yes, after nearly 10 years it will be little off.
If the hull is painted, then this is completely different story....

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

As far as I know, Hunter did not use colored gelcoat circa 2007. Anyone have information to the contrary?