Painting my blue Mac 26M hull white

[Billiam]

The medium-dark blue hull on our 2004 Mac 26M makes the cabin too hot in the Alabama summers. If I understand correctly, it's not a painted hull but rather a colored gel coat from the factory.

I'd like to paint it white, but I'm worried about the blue showing through. Or maybe it will only show through in future minor scratches and dings. Possibly a good primer first will take care of this. Any thoughts about this project? Can I do it myself with paint, or do I need to get a pro to spray on a white gelcoat?

Also, it seems there are several types of paint, some which can be waxed and others that can't. Maybe at good white paint coat won't oxidize as quickly as the factory blue, which requires waxing ever few months!

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[alexco38]

don't paint the side

The side of the hull doesn't make you hot. The top does.

Painting the hull will devalue the boat. Buyer don't like painted boat. You will never get the same shine back.

Just erect some over the boom tent to shade the top side will get you cooler even with a bimini. I sew two fabric shower curtains (on sale) together to make a boom tent. Go to camping store and get a sheet of the silvery emergency blanket and place it under the boom tent will reflect the heat away.

I saw a guy use a automotive transmission cooler and ran a pump to circulate lake water thru it. He put a fan behind the transmission cooler. Pretty cheap air conditioning.

Another guy got a portable air-conditioner from wal-mart and place it on the slip and ran a 6 inches hose to the boat. He was in a marina with electric supply.

 

[Drew13440]

Yea this is not a good idea. If you try to do it yourself, you will be sorry you did. A pro will charge thousands, shade is free.