Paint looks horrible - contour sanding to look good?

[sunlover]

I'm using a 2-part epoxy primer that is building, so I was hoping that it would smooth out the rough edges. That was wishful thinking as it seems to really highlight my prep and sanding flaws. Even filling pin holes requires some mechanical brushing or similar. Overall, not a total fail as the job came out very well except for some of my patches. Certainly, better than a newbie deserves.

I'm redoing a few patches that look bad. I've found a few youtube videos for auto body painting that have some interesting tips and tricks to create nice smooth contours, but I didn't find much for boats. Any resources?

In particular, it would be nice to wet down the surface (or similar) to highlight the flaws before I get to the epoxy primer stage. Maybe I just need to brush on primer and sand between coats until I get something that I'm happy with. Comments are welcome.

 

[sail sfbay]

What exactly are you painting (hull, non skid, deck)? What paint system are you applying? What prep work did you do? I recently painted 600 sqft of pattered non-skid gelcoat with Awlgrip 3 part system (color-matched topcoat, converter and reducer) resulting in a glossy finish on my 37 year old boat. Prep work consisted of washing followed by acetone treatment and taping off.

 

[sunlover]

What exactly are you painting (hull, non skid, deck)? What paint system are you applying? What prep work did you do? I recently painted 600 sqft of pattered non-skid gelcoat with Awlgrip 3 part system (color-matched topcoat, converter and reducer) resulting in a glossy finish on my 37 year old boat. Prep work consisted of washing followed by acetone treatment and taping off.

the freeboard on a Beneteau currently.

 

[jssailem]

Check out

Videos | Boatworks Today

www.boatworkstoday.com

 

[Pirate Dave]

X2 on boatworks today. If you can't learn from Andy, you can't learn

 

[sail sfbay]

Same question came up on this thread: Painting Freeboard on a Hunter 33 Cherubini | Sailboat Owners Forums and you might find some usefull posts in it.

 

[Davidasailor26]

+1 for Boatworks Today. He’s got several videos on fairing and painting starting with

.
The third video after that includes using a guide coat to see any imperfections when sanding -

 

[PaulK]

You are applying primer to patches on your topsides? Patches on topsides sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially if you are using hi-build primer. The primer has to be sanded smooth. ANY ridges or unevenness will be telegraphed in the thin coats of finish paint.

 

[thinwater]

I strongly suggest the 10-foot rule. If you can't see it from 10 feet, life is too short to worry about it. I strive to do better than that, and mostly do, but I'm not going to torture myself over it either. A boat is a tool for sailing and exploring. Reliability is the only area I will not compromise.

 

[sunlover]

I strongly suggest the 10-foot rule. If you can't see it from 10 feet, life is too short to worry about it. I strive to do better than that, and mostly do, but I'm not going to torture myself over it either. A boat is a tool for sailing and exploring. Reliability is the only area I will not compromise.

Yeah, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I did dramatically improve the patches and things are looking much better.

No silver bullet here, but just an attention to detail. It's definitely an art form, but also the realization that every defect will be amplified during painting.

 

[Hollyberry]

Another point.... using water to 'see' if you have highs or lows/check for fairness doesn't really work, the water film hides those flaws due to its thickness. Don't ask how I know!!

 

[sunlover]

Another point.... using water to 'see' if you have highs or lows/check for fairness doesn't really work, the water film hides those flaws due to its thickness. Don't ask how I know!!

I was cleaning a new spray gun from manufacturer oils today with surface prep cleaner and decided to use it for wiping down the surface. Surprise! Nice thin reflective layer.

 

[Ward H]

Might want to look into Total Boat Total Fair fairing compound.

 

[sunlover]

Might want to look into Total Boat Total Fair fairing compound.

that's what I used over the fiberglass patch.

 

[sunlover]

I did finally work out how to do this so that it looks professional. Copying from the large number of body shop youtube videos, the solution is to apply the fairing in multiple applications and then sand where each one gets successively closer to what you want. It often takes 3-4 layers to get it how you want it.

And be cognizant that any imperfection will be amplified by painting. If you can live with it being 10x worse, then you're ready to paint.