Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

DaveInGA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
31
I caught a good deal on a "factory second" boat from a fiberglass boat manufacturer. The boat had a chip on an outside edge where it was knicked during shipping and was less than half the current retail price. The manufacturer repaired the nick and repainted the exterior.

The only negative is the interior paint is a fairly dark green and is too dark for the hot summer temperatures here in Georgia. I need to repaint it either light grey or tan. I don't want white, as I'm fair skinned and white reflects the sun too much and will fry me.

The manufacturer's VP of operations advised using either Herculiner truck bedliner in grey or Rustoleum's two part epoxy for garage floor and adding shark bite to give it a skid free surface. I wanted to check if these are the best solution for someone doing his own interior.

I don't have a sprayer and will have to either roll the paint on or brush it on. I do have sanders and such if necessary.

I could use any advise about preparation of the original interior and about what type of paint to use.

Thank you,

Dave
 

sdunt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
389
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

I could see using the truck bed liner stuff on the floor, but when you say interior it makes me think about the insides of gunwhales, and the dash, etc.

If you are going for a really smooth, aka no brush marks paint job and you are looking at using a marine paint and doing a roll and TIP job on it. Do some searches in this forum for roll and tip.

A couple of other pointers:

http://www.sailingworld.com/article_print.jsp?ID=200727

http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=1942
 

DaveInGA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
31
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

sdunt,

This is a nice boat, but is only about one step above a jon boat. It has a more advanced hull, but no dash and runs on a 15HP two cycle.

Thank you for the links. The information was very helpful.

Regards,

Dave
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

i like the 2 part idea, and i have been using light gray for years on the interior, and it's very easy on relection.
 

DaveInGA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
31
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

tashasdaddy,

Do you use a gel coat primer when you use the two part or just the two part by itself and some scuffing of the gelcoat?

Thanks,

Dave
 

DaveInGA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
31
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

fishingdan,

Thanks for posting that, I think you're right. That's just about exactly what I'm looking for. Can anyone suggest wether or not I need to use a primer or simply sand the gelcoat? The inside is NAC gelcoat I'll need to pain over. I do have a variety of electric palm type sanders, I'm I'm a woodworker.

Regards,

Dave
 

gcboat

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 29, 2007
Messages
1,822
Re: Paint selection for fiberglass boat interior

Remember that most - if not all - boats are layed up with polyster resin. So if you plan on using an epoxy based product there will be an adhesion problem. Stick with a two part linear polyurethane product. With the proper prep you have better luck in the long run.
 
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