Paint or gelcoat?

[Wave34]

I would like to have the sides of my boat black, to contrast with the whole white boat that it is now.

I read many posts on the subject, suggestions are, Base Coat Clear Coat with a Good feedback. And Urethane that most rate as a Very Good feedback.

When I asked my body shop guy, who does nice work on expensive cars, he was excited to do that project.
He checked with his paint supplier, and they suggested him to apply a black gel coat.

Can gel coat be spray painted like regular paint and hold well?

My concern is resistance to wear. When docked and attached to another boat in a bay for example, I can see and hear the fenders squick and roll in between the boats.

How a urethane paint will endure such a treatment?

The gelcoat should resist since the white gelcoat on my boat is still nice, but I'm wondering about the application process, and if any thickness demarcation will be seen.

I thought about a partial wrap, but they seem fragile.

What options exist?

 

[mr 88]

Depending on what year your boat is ,where you live and what the length of it is ,IMHO in MOST cases it's a waste of money. Black like most non white colors looks good for a few years then fade and turn into a headache unless religiously waxed and polished. What is your boat worth and how much is the painter going to charge you. Gel coat will be a heck of a lot more and then you have to find a qualified perdon to do it. More info on boat is needed, something like a 80s Bayliner ,no way. A mid 80s Black Watch ,Topaz Bertram etc,sure,they are ageless hulls.

 

[Wave34]

My boat is a 2004 Chaparral Signature 260.
I find that the side color gives a younger and sportier look.
I'm in Canada, so no salt.
Painter said he could do both side with a 3' side stripes for $1000 or a bit more. (He's a friend, so may be the price is lower...)

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes gel can be sprayed....its done every day

 

[89retta]

My boat is a 2004 Chaparral Signature 260.
I find that the side color gives a younger and sportier look.
I'm in Canada, so no salt.
Painter said he could do both side with a 3' side stripes for $1000 or a bit more. (He's a friend, so may be the price is lower...)

That's a pretty good price to do both sides. I've been in the trade for 30 years. Where about are you up here in the great white north ?

 

[Wave34]

Yes gel can be sprayed....its done every day

Do you think that a professional car painter can figure out fast how to spray gelcoat, or it is a trade to be learned over the years, and requires special spray gun etc?

 

[Wave34]

That's a pretty good price to do both sides. I've been in the trade for 30 years. Where about are you up here in the great white north ?

That's what I thought about the price also. He just saw the boat on a picture, maybe when he will be beside it, he will revise his price, hopefully not.
I'm around Montreal, and you?

 

[Wave34]

So, is urethan (1 stage) going to resist abrasion from fenders and some accidental touching of a dock or gel coat is a must?

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Do you think that a professional car painter can figure out fast how to spray gelcoat, or it is a trade to be learned over the years, and requires special spray gun etc?

I'd take my boat to a fiberglass repair pro near me. They have the experience to do it right.

For what it's worth... I had a body shop friend paint my Supra after the 10th season and I wished I hadn't messed with it. Although the gloss was there the color wasn't a match for the original and the finish wasn't smooth. The first couple of runs produced a few chips in the paint.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Do you think that a professional car painter can figure out fast how to spray gelcoat, or it is a trade to be learned over the years, and requires special spray gun etc?

if a professional painter talks to the gel coat guy for 5 minutes, he will have all the information he needs

tip is bigger for gel then it is for paint
working time is less for gel (typically 15 minutes)

spray gel
allow to kick
spray PVA to finish curing (unless you used waxed gel)
wash and buff

 

[Chris1956]

Gelcoat is used on all small (non yacht) boats. it gives a good finish, and is handy to spray into the hull mold, before glass is applied. It is a bit more durable than a good urethane paint, however, it is subject to fading from the sun..

Yachts have a 2 part polyurethane paint on them for appearance. Imron or Awlgrip are the brand names. These must be applied by a professional with the necessary breathing and baking facilities. These are very expensive, but necessary for high end boats.

I have not sprayed gelcoat, however, I have used 1 part polyurethane paints with good results. They are pretty tough, and hold up to the sun, unlike gelcoat, but are for above the waterline use. I would recommend a product like Brightside, which is a 1 part polyurethane paint. You can spray or roll and tip and get good results. If having the professional apply it, I would choose a spray finish.

If the paint is to be submerged, you will need a 2 part polyurethane.

 

[wahlejim]

Have you looked into vinyl decals to accomplish the same thing? They are going to be easier to install, probably cheaper, and if you don't like it in a few years, much easier to remove. Also easier to repair if/when they get damaged. Just food for thought.

 

[Wave34]

if a professional painter talks to the gel coat guy for 5 minutes, he will have all the information he needs

tip is bigger for gel then it is for paint
working time is less for gel (typically 15 minutes)

spray gel
allow to kick
spray PVA to finish curing (unless you used waxed gel)
wash and buff

Thank you for the procedure. If we go gelcoat, I will suggest him those steps.

 

[Wave34]

Gelcoat is used on all small (non yacht) boats. it gives a good finish, and is handy to spray into the hull mold, before glass is applied. It is a bit more durable than a good urethane paint, however, it is subject to fading from the sun..

Yachts have a 2 part polyurethane paint on them for appearance. Imron or Awlgrip are the brand names. These must be applied by a professional with the necessary breathing and baking facilities. These are very expensive, but necessary for high end boats.

I have not sprayed gelcoat, however, I have used 1 part polyurethane paints with good results. They are pretty tough, and hold up to the sun, unlike gelcoat, but are for above the waterline use. I would recommend a product like Brightside, which is a 1 part polyurethane paint. You can spray or roll and tip and get good results. If having the professional apply it, I would choose a spray finish.

If the paint is to be submerged, you will need a 2 part polyurethane.

It will be for above water line.

You say 'roll and tip'.
Sorry for my lack of English technical vocabulary, but what is the 'tip' portion means? Use a roller then sand + buff??

Can a DIY at home job with a roller give good results?
I don't want an orange peel effect, but a nice finish like the gelcoat is.

 

[Wave34]

Have you looked into vinyl decals to accomplish the same thing? They are going to be easier to install, probably cheaper, and if you don't like it in a few years, much easier to remove. Also easier to repair if/when they get damaged. Just food for thought.

Yes I did. For the single 3' wide stripes, they want $2500. For a complete hull wrap with printed graphics it is $3500.
Paint is cheaper, at least with the guy I know.

 

[89retta]

So, is urethan (1 stage) going to resist abrasion from fenders and some accidental touching of a dock or gel coat is a must?

The gel coat would be a 1 stage application kinda like the old enamel paint jobs on cars. That is why they fade over time and have to be polished to bring the shine back. The auto paint of today is a 2 stage where you apply your base coat which is the color. Then the 2nd stage which is the clear coat. The clear will give all the uv protection you need so it wont fade. As long as its a quality product. So to answer your question go with a high quality auto paint

 

[Chris1956]

Roll and tip is a way to apply paint with a roller and tip the roller marks. The paint is left to self-level. The results are very good, and the method is pretty easy. You might do some searching on this site.

 

[Chris1956]

Don't use automotive paint. Use a good quality Marine polyurethane.

 

[89retta]

Don't use automotive paint. Use a good quality Marine polyurethane.

Just wondering what your reason for saying this is

 

[Chris1956]

Marine polyurethane is designed to be used on fiberglass. Fiberglass bends and flexes much more than the sheet metal on your car. In addition, marine polyurethane is made for the marine environment. Last I checked, your car is not...