After several years of enjoying my '94 H26, I'd like to freshen it up a bit. The stripes have seen better days, I've got discolored gelcoat at the bow where a yard did a so-so repair on some damage caused by the trailer, and the Admiral says she's always liked dark-hulled boats. Now before you jump in and warn about temperature increases, etc., realize that I'm a Northern sailor, and I don't consider it to be a problem. I'm considering a dark blue with red/yellow stripes, and having the Hunter 'swoosh' re-done by a vinyl shop in the appropriate colors. I'd be painting from the rubrail down to the waterline, where my bottom paint would start. I think I'd leave the scoop-tail white. I used to do some work at a body shop, and was considering Dupont Imron or a similar paint. From what I've read, this can provide a finish as durable, if not more so than gel-coat. What I'm looking for is advise regarding types of paints to use, anyone who may have done something similar and has any lessons learned, etc. Thanks in advance for any advise. Tom
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Painting As The Last Resort
For my money I'd never paint a fiberglas boat unless it was the absolute last resort. A neighboring boat at our marina had there boat professionally painted [sprayed three or four coats] a dark blue color. It looked real good for a month or so. Then every scratch, nick or ding revealled the old white gelcoat underneath. Its inevitable. This began the constant process of touch up after touch up. You can't compound or buff scratches out it seem either. I'd look real hard to find a yard or professional that could rejuvenate the original gel coat. I can't imagine a 1994 boat's gel unless it was totally neglected, not being restorable. If I had to paint, I'd stay with the same color white so scratches would not appear as visible. When I looked for a new boat I was careful not to buy a boat that had been painted over for fear it was hiding something. Apparently many other potential used boat buyers feel the same way. In fact one broker commented about a painted over boat " If the boats been painted, the boat's been tainted." I guess there is some truth in that. Fred Miller S/V M Squared
For my money I'd never paint a fiberglas boat unless it was the absolute last resort. A neighboring boat at our marina had there boat professionally painted [sprayed three or four coats] a dark blue color. It looked real good for a month or so. Then every scratch, nick or ding revealled the old white gelcoat underneath. Its inevitable. This began the constant process of touch up after touch up. You can't compound or buff scratches out it seem either. I'd look real hard to find a yard or professional that could rejuvenate the original gel coat. I can't imagine a 1994 boat's gel unless it was totally neglected, not being restorable. If I had to paint, I'd stay with the same color white so scratches would not appear as visible. When I looked for a new boat I was careful not to buy a boat that had been painted over for fear it was hiding something. Apparently many other potential used boat buyers feel the same way. In fact one broker commented about a painted over boat " If the boats been painted, the boat's been tainted." I guess there is some truth in that. Fred Miller S/V M Squared
Here's a link...
...describing a procedure for getting good results painting a hull. I haven't tried it, but it sounds both sensible and doable.
...describing a procedure for getting good results painting a hull. I haven't tried it, but it sounds both sensible and doable.
Paint
The paint system used on boats is Awlgrip. Similar to aircraft and auto Imron. Many of the high end boat manufacturers, such as Hinckley and Hatteras, paint their hulls. They use the gelcoat only to pop the mold and consider it "poor mans paint".
The paint system used on boats is Awlgrip. Similar to aircraft and auto Imron. Many of the high end boat manufacturers, such as Hinckley and Hatteras, paint their hulls. They use the gelcoat only to pop the mold and consider it "poor mans paint".
David, I don't disagree but . .
I don't know about all of the higher end boats being painted . . but some I beleive like Kirie and Sabre the color is actually in the gel coat and not paint. If I bought a high end boat, I wouldn't want a paint job . . no matter how good it is, paint is still paint. Maybe that's why there are so many restrictions on waxing, buffing, compounding etc.; even shrink wrapping the boat is a no no. Sorry. I'm not convinced a paint job is better than the original gel coat given a quality gel coat job has been put on in the first place. Fred Miller
I don't know about all of the higher end boats being painted . . but some I beleive like Kirie and Sabre the color is actually in the gel coat and not paint. If I bought a high end boat, I wouldn't want a paint job . . no matter how good it is, paint is still paint. Maybe that's why there are so many restrictions on waxing, buffing, compounding etc.; even shrink wrapping the boat is a no no. Sorry. I'm not convinced a paint job is better than the original gel coat given a quality gel coat job has been put on in the first place. Fred Miller
2-part urethane
Any good 2-part like Imron will be a great choice as long as the prep work and application are done right. I repainted a 1969 model 23.5 Kittiwake back in 1989 or so in a dark green with a cream colored topside and even with minimal upkeep she still looks great!!! People would always sail up to us and comment on how good the boat looked. Bright yellow boot stripe and red/rust colored bottom paint really set her off.
Any good 2-part like Imron will be a great choice as long as the prep work and application are done right. I repainted a 1969 model 23.5 Kittiwake back in 1989 or so in a dark green with a cream colored topside and even with minimal upkeep she still looks great!!! People would always sail up to us and comment on how good the boat looked. Bright yellow boot stripe and red/rust colored bottom paint really set her off.
Stripes advice
Instead of paint, try to replace the vinyl stripes with same. The trick is to use a hairdryer and Ace razor blade to slowly take the old stripe off. This could take a couple of hours. Then order the tape directly from Hunter and have a professional boat signpainter apply the stripe. He'll only take 20 minutes and he'll get it right the first time.
Instead of paint, try to replace the vinyl stripes with same. The trick is to use a hairdryer and Ace razor blade to slowly take the old stripe off. This could take a couple of hours. Then order the tape directly from Hunter and have a professional boat signpainter apply the stripe. He'll only take 20 minutes and he'll get it right the first time.
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