Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

[Noodleman]

Hey guys

I am still prepping my boat ready for a complete new paint job, I think about another week of sanding and I might be ready. I am working on a fiberglass 18ft ring18 speedboat.

I am looking into the best way to re-paint the boat, and any steps that I should follow. I assume that I will need to use some sort of primer before painting anything, if this is correct, can somebody give me some information about primers. Is there much to know? Will any old primer work etc?

I see there is a method of tipping paint onto the surface, using a sponge roller to spread the paint, and then use a very fine brush to lightly go over the rolled area to remove any bubbles etc. This method looks quite quick and easy, which is appealing. However... As I am doing a complete re-paint, I need to also re-paint the underside of the boat, So, should I look at flipping the boat and using this method, or can paint simply be applied with a roller rather than tipped, and then gone over with a brush?

I don't mind spending a few beer tokens on a spraing system if it would make the job easier, or give a better finish. However, I do not have any indoor facility to spray the boat, so I am at the mercy of the great outdoors. I assume this may be a problem if spraying? Also, when using a spray gun, is it simply a case of just thinning the paint (to the suggested levels by on the tin I guess) and using a spray gun?

I would also love to add some graphics to the paint work, Something simple, maybe a single colour using a stencil / template. Would this be best done using a spray gun, or another method?

I have tried to do some research into painting, however I am confused by the many brands, and types of paint and don't really know what I should be looking at doing at the moment.

Any advice would be greatly welcomed

Cheers

Noodle

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle Rolling and tipping ( putting paint on with high density foam roller then going over with foam brush to remove bubbles ) is actually pretty easy plenty of youtube videos on it . Spraying can get messy ( if theres anything else near what your spraying ) but will give a better initial finish . You are going to have some orange peel with either method thats what a buffer is for to cut down the paint and make it like glass. The primer depends on the paint you end up using and should come from the same manufacturer and be what they would recomend. The Graphix really depend on how simple they are . I added a stripe to my boat with the roll and tip method simply using high quality masking tape ( the second time around LOL ) .


Rick

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle Rolling and tipping ( putting paint on with high density foam roller then going over with foam brush to remove bubbles ) is actually pretty easy plenty of youtube videos on it . Spraying can get messy ( if theres anything else near what your spraying ) but will give a better initial finish . You are going to have some orange peel with either method thats what a buffer is for to cut down the paint and make it like glass. The primer depends on the paint you end up using and should come from the same manufacturer and be what they would recomend. The Graphix really depend on how simple they are . I added a stripe to my boat with the roll and tip method simply using high quality masking tape ( the second time around LOL ) .


Rick

Cheers rick.

Sounds like the tip/roll method will be the easiest to use, and I don't need to go and buy too much stuff to make it work. However, I am still assuming that I would need to flip the boat to get the best job, or can you suggest another method?

Buffer, got it! I keep hearing the term "orange peeling". What exactly is orange peeling? I can guess, but would rather find out for sure

Graphics, should be quite simple. Not 100% sure on what yet. Considering something silly like some big teeth just above the water line on the nose, or something like that, im still playing with sketches, and trying to talk the mrs out of wanting to paint the whole thing pink and stick a dolphin on the front.

So, I guess my next step would be to select a manafacturer of paint to use, and stick with it, then find out what primer they suggest?

 

[ftl900]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Orange peel is not a desirable finish.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle orange peel is exactly what you are thinking the surface looks like an orangepeels surface . I personally would recomend flipping the boat over to paint it regardless of the method used to paint . I can tell you however once its off the trailer and flipped its hard to get it back on the trailer LOL. Mine was off the trailer for a while . The other benny to flipping it off the trailer is it gives you a chance to do any trailer repairs you may need to do ( new bunks ,recarpet bunks, paint the trailer . Feel free to have a look at my resto thread linked in my post to see a rolled and rolled paintjob I didnt Tip This method was started by CheapbpoatKev one of my fellow Starcraft club members . Most of the pictures are near the end of the thread if you dont fee like clicking a bunch of links .


Rick

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle orange peel is exactly what you are thinking the surface looks like an orangepeels surface . I personally would recomend flipping the boat over to paint it regardless of the method used to paint . I can tell you however once its off the trailer and flipped its hard to get it back on the trailer LOL. Mine was off the trailer for a while . The other benny to flipping it off the trailer is it gives you a chance to do any trailer repairs you may need to do ( new bunks ,recarpet bunks, paint the trailer . Feel free to have a look at my resto thread linked in my post to see a rolled and rolled paintjob I didnt Tip This method was started by CheapbpoatKev one of my fellow Starcraft club members . Most of the pictures are near the end of the thread if you dont fee like clicking a bunch of links .


Rick

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the information. I have decided that I will take the boat off the trailer, and flip it when it comes to painting time. It will give me the oppertunity to fit two new rollers to the trailer at the tail end to stop some frame on fiberglass rubbing I have noticed. BAD!

I will take a look at your thread soon, Pics always help!

Noodle.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle get 3 or 4 freinds over for the flipping party ( just makes it easier ) . I also highly recomend getting some kind of rubber floor mats ( you can find these at Pep boys , Harbor Freight , I have even seen them at Big lots. These will make life much easier as you can roll the boat up onto them and then roll it the rest of the way over . I also had several furniture dollies that I set mine on while it was flipped over ( these are cheap at Harbor freight ) . I used 2 smaller ones under the transom end and a larger one up under the bow .


Rick

 

[Mark42]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

When I painted my Hard Top, I researched the major brands of marine paints/finishes. Decided to go with the Brightsides one part paint by Interlux. I followed their instructions for prep and applied the paint "roll and tip" method. It came out much better than expected. Not like a new car finish, but it far exceeded my expectations. I am very happy with the results.

I went with the Brightsides because I didn't want to deal with the health aspects of two part, and I don't have good spraying equipment. The Brightsides dries a little slow, but you can apply multiple coats in a short amount of time (read instructions). To speed up dry time, get it out in the sun or use heat lamps.

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Hey guys,

I was considering the international perfection range, 2 part. That way it gives me a nice hardened finish, and a high quality paint job (unless it all goes very wrong!). I would ideally like to only apply a single coat of paint, so again, the 2 part should help with this unless there is a problem. does this sound right to people, or would you suggest more than one coat?

I have spent some time watching their video's on how to get a good finish, as well as reading a few guides.

Rick, do you think you can link me to the dollies that you used? Just trying to get a good idea of what they look like, to make sure I am thinking of the same things you are talking about.

Mark, Looking good. how many coats did you apply

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle heres the small version at Harbor Freight .


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93888




Heres the large version same place.



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38970

Rick

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Hey Rick,

Cheers for the links. I am glad you linked to them, as I was thinking you ment something completly different!

I can see the logic in using those.

I do not see the boat being moved off of my trailer for quite some time, maybe a couple months. I have actually just scored some space on a local farm to store it which is handy. Downside is, its a 30 min drive from home.

So, flipping it will be a 2 person job (me and the mrs). Im thinking of using a jack with a board attached to get a large surface area, then jacking it until its at a good angle. Then, putting supports on the other side, and lowering it slowley. It should work as long as its done nice and slow. I know its not ideal, but you have to work with what you can get.

I think I now know what i need to be doing with the paint anyway, its just going to take a long time

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle do a search on boat flipping . There are several very good although quite redneck versions of boat flipping here in the resto section . Some using trees and comealongs and others using a pair of trucks and a comealong there are at least 2 done in these ways that were done by one person and they managed to flip the boats all by themselves without harming themselves or their boats LOL . There were a few tense moments in at least one of them where it looked like a moment out of the hold my beer and watch this therme book but it worked .


Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Here is Bob 1027's version of the one man flip and yes this one has that Hold my Beer look to it but it worked LOL.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZBhcnVvHvw


Rick

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

genious!

I see a plan forming !

Although, my boat is a little bigger than that one.. and I think a lot heavier >_<

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Noodle Numlaar is another member who used 2 trucks to flip his Trihull which is similar to yours and he did it by himself . Heres his thread where he explains and if I remember shows how he flipped his.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=341872



Rick

 

[Mark42]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

Hey guys,

......

Mark, Looking good. how many coats did you apply

That is 3 coats. If you roll and tip, remember that each coat is thinner than if it was applied by a brush alone. So 3 or 4 coats are common with this method, depending on color of paint, color of primer, etc.

 

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

id roll the vc performance for below the water line , and id use the perfection or the bright sides above the water line . if flipping the boat is to hard. go to a boat yard and have them do the bottom job . then do the top sides while on the trailer

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Painting methods (Tip/Roll / Spraying etc)

That is 3 coats. If you roll and tip, remember that each coat is thinner than if it was applied by a brush alone. So 3 or 4 coats are common with this method, depending on color of paint, color of primer, etc.

I guess im going to have to wait and see how it looks after the first coat when i start the painting. I've worked out its going to cost about ?200 per coat.