Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

[WebsterCityIowan]

Hey Folks,
I just bought a 16ft Starcraft the other day and the paint is pretty rough. My dad and I decided to paint it but we thought that after sandblasting that some spots may get opened and leak. What would you recommend to seal off all of the seams and rivets post sandblasting pre paint? Thanks.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

dont use sand

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

I just completed a 14' MirroCraft that was also "beat looking". I suggest you lightly sand the hull with an orbital sander (220 grit) to rough up the surface enabling the paint to grip. Then add two coats of Pettit Easyepoxy urethane paint. Using the "roll and tip" proceedure a glossy finish is easily achieved.

Go to the Pettit web site and take a look at the video on how to roll and tip. I selected the bright red and it look like a new boat after 36 years of service.

On a smaller tinney I used windshield sealant to caulk (seal) the transom to the hull bottom. Worked great from the inside. Just inject it into the seam from the tube and let it seep in and dry. Takes a couple of hours to get it cured. Its very thin so tilting the boat will allow gravity to help get it into the seams.

Best of luck with your new project.

Erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

Welcome to iboats!

I will move this to restoration and have a look at this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

 

[WebsterCityIowan]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

Thanks for all the help guys. Do you recommend using shells instead of sand? or should I just sand it instead?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

Just sand it....... prime the spots of bare aluminum with zinc chromate...... and paint

 

[Stratosman86]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

Lots and Lots of sanding! I did my 16 with a 5 inch orbital sander and it took me about 19 hours just to do the bottom. Be cafeful around the rivets as to not flatten them out. Then primer and paint. The Petit Easypoxy lays down real smooth and glossy with a 4 inch foam roller. You found the right spot for asking questions about working on a Starcraft, as these guys have helped me all along the way!

Darren

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

I confer with above post - use an orbital sander, use aluminum primer on bare spots, consider painting with an hlvp paint gun.

I painted my alum starcraft last year with a paint similar to rustoleum. sprayed it on with my hlvp sprayer and it came out great.

 

[WebsterCityIowan]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

I confer with above post - use an orbital sander, use aluminum primer on bare spots, consider painting with an hlvp paint gun.

I painted my alum starcraft last year with a paint similar to rustoleum. sprayed it on with my hlvp sprayer and it came out great.

I think you meant to say HVLP. That means high volume low pressure. These guns are junk. They result in orange peel and other imperfections. Just find a good non HVLP gun. HVLP was made to protect the environment by reducing over spray and other emissions; thus making them junk.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

I think you meant to say HVLP. That means high volume low pressure. These guns are junk. They result in orange peel and other imperfections. Just find a good non HVLP gun. HVLP was made to protect the environment by reducing over spray and other emissions; thus making them junk.

I disagree completely with this statement.

HVLP guns work AWESOME, I love mine. I just finished painting my 21ft starcraft with a HVLP gun and you can see your reflection in the paint. They are very nice guns to have, and has worked awesome for me.

I sprayed 1 coat at a time, wet sanded between coats, and did a total of 4 coats. Came out very smooth and glossy.

I have pictures if you are interested. Just click on my link at the bottom.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

A paint gun is only as good as the person using it. I have been using a HVLP gun from Harbor Freight for 5 yrs. I can spray Rustoleum Oilbased paint thinned with pentrol with absolutely NO Orangepeel. Before you condemn a piece of equipment you should absolutely make sure you are QUALIFIED with LOTS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE before you try to influence others on making a decision.

Check this out and you will learn a lot

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/techinfo/HVLPspraygun.html

I'm just sayin...

 

[WebsterCityIowan]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

That was from my 48 year old father who has painted cars on the side since he was 16. Just our opinions. And yes we have tried an HVLP gun before, prefer the good ol' guns. But Isaac that paint job is pretty slick and there's no denying that.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

A paint gun is only as good as the person using it. I have been using a HVLP gun from Harbor Freight for 5 yrs. I can spray Rustoleum Oilbased paint thinned with pentrol with absolutely NO Orangepeel. Before you condemn a piece of equipment you should absolutely make sure you are QUALIFIED with LOTS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE before you try to influence others on making a decision.

Check this out and you will learn a lot

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/techinfo/HVLPspraygun.html

I'm just sayin...

I agree,

Anything you do is only going to turn out as good as you know how to use it.

My boat was my first time using a HVLP sprayer, and I am still learning how to use it and get it dialed in. My first 2 coats had some orange peel, and that is why man created sand paper. My last 2 coats came out smooth, I was really happy with it. Every-time i use the gun, I like it more and more, and i am getting better at using it.

I know people who swear by the standard sprayers as well. Others prefer the roll and tip method over spraying. I have seen some roll and tip paint job's where you could not be able to tell the difference between that method and a sprayed boat. Everyone has the own likes and dislikes.

So I am just saying from my experience so far with a HVLP, and I love it.

 

[WebsterCityIowan]

Re: Questions about Painting my Starcraft.

Everyone has the own likes and dislikes.[/QUOTE]

Yup.