Im SO Confused!!!

[RCNO]

Ok, Let me start at the beginning...I have a 1979 Skeeter, Duke 1500. Its a fiberglass boat, 15 ft long, 4 ft wide, made of fiberglass.This boat is trailered and never spends more than 1 day on the water at a time. I want to paint it soon (after hurricane season, I may need to get home with it for a week or so) and Im looking at using Brightsides for a few reasons: 1 its available locally,2 its a single part paint, 3 its available in a few more colors than other brands.
I have a few blisters and gouges in the hull than I plan on repairing. Is it ok to use either Bondo automotive filler or the Marine Epoxy sold at Lowes?: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=40308-133-40308&lpage=none .Is there something that is simpler and easy to use?
Once its repaired and sanded smooth, I would think it will need to be primed before painting, correct? I was looking at the Pre-Kote by Interlux, to stay within the same brand. How many coats is best?
Once primed I plan to roll and tip the Brightsides and this is where Im confused...How many coats should I need and what is recommended? How long before recoating?

So, to sum it up:
1 I will strip the hull down and flip it.
2 Before any sanding of the gelcoat, i should wipe it down with a dewaxer (what to use?)
3 sand the gelcoat to get it smooth and ready for repairs (fairing is the right term here?)
4 Make all repairs to hull with whatever is recommended
5 sand and prime the hull
6 wipe down with dewaxer or ?
7 begin painting

Anything else i should know or add to these steps? I have searched the web and this site over and over, the more I read on the subject, the more confusing it seems!
Thanks for clearing this up for me , Dave

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

Acetone as a dewaxer. There are also commercial dewaxers.

Don't use Bondo automotive filler. It absorbs water once dry (so I've heard). I've fared hulls w/ epoxy mixed w/ a filler (sawdust, talcum powder, micro balloons, etc).

 

[gcboat]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

Hey Dave,
First off. in order to achieve a good finish to need to have a good base - so remember it will be 90% prep, 10% paint. With that said.

Repairs on your bottom should be done with Marine Tex. Much better than what you are looking at.
You are right on with the priming. However not necessary if you are applying a single pack paint ( which you are ). The priming will add an extra step in the process but it will also give you a clean slate in which to start your initial painting. I'd use it. One coat should do the trick - read the label well.
Dewaxing solvents are available most anywhere. Even some Dawn liquid dish soap will do the trick - don't let it dry.
The number of coats depends entirely on your color choice. A basic white, possibly two or three coats.
The Interlux Britesides is a very good product. Please remember that marine paint is a lot different than ordinary house paint - a lot. Don't let the viscosity of the paint fool you into thinking that it doesn't need thinner - it does.
Here is the web page for Yachtpaint. That is home base for Interlux. Lots of good reading - hope it helps ya' some.
http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp
http://www.marinetex.com/

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

Once primed I plan to roll and tip the Brightsides and this is where Im confused...How many coats should I need and what is recommended? How long before recoating?

So, to sum it up:
1 I will strip the hull down and flip it.
2 Before any sanding of the gelcoat, i should wipe it down with a dewaxer (what to use?)
3 sand the gelcoat to get it smooth and ready for repairs (fairing is the right term here?)
4 Make all repairs to hull with whatever is recommended
5 sand and prime the hull
6 wipe down with dewaxer or ?
7 begin painting

Looks like a good plan Dave.
Interlux sell a solvent #333 for Brightside use it to thin the paint and as a dewaxer before sanding.

 

[RCNO]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

thanks for the replies so far guys..being that my boat is 15 ft x 4ft bottom with approx 16" sides, how much paint and primer will I need?

 

[RCNO]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

Well looks like my boat may have to wait a while...http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200805.html I may have to use it to get back and forth to my house if it doesnt leave fast enough.

Hurricane Rita did the same thing and put 4ft of water in my yard. Levees broke in 34 places and we had to use the boat to get home for a week.

 

[1970 Chieftain V]

Re: Im SO Confused!!!

thanks for the replies so far guys..being that my boat is 15 ft x 4ft bottom with approx 16" sides, how much paint and primer will I need?

The website that gcboat gave you has all the answers to your questions under Boat Painting Guide. It is a really good research page for painting.

Jason