Repainting a 1989 Crestliner Sabre G/L outboard

[fishbait2]

I am going to repaint my 1989 Crestliner Sabre G/L 22ft boat. I do not want to remove the old paint but I will lightly sand it all. The hull has a lot of paint that has washed away on the bottom and a few small bare aluminum spots here and there. Wondering if others have attempted this and how you did it? Also what paint you used? I understand that below the water line has to be the proper paint. But I am not sure if you can paint a coat of top coat paint then need a bottom non copper paint over that if only keeping it Docked or nothing if trailering?
Apparently paint that is not correct can absorb water and blister. I would like a semi - gloss or gloss finish. The colors are , the hull very light gray and has a red wine color wide strip on each side. Top is light gray with red stickers. I trailer my boat and it sits currently on a roller trailer at all other times. Never in the water over night. But I have seen on line that some issues can occur wherever the boat sits on the trailer because water sits there between the boat and trailer. Any help is appreciated

 

[Scott Danforth]

Sand the bare spots and hit with a zinc dichromate primer

Use a hardener in the paint

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Use a single stage paint for everything. It's more durable than a base/clear paint job. How much you sand off depends on the condition of the existing paint.

Based on the age, I'd bet there are a lot of spots that are going to chip away. If they're like tiny rock chips, you can get away with just painting over them. If they're about the size of your little finger nail, I would recommend sealer. Anything bigger, use a good primer and sand it.

Avoid hitting the rivets with your sander. Go back over those with a scotch brite pad.

Do you have paint experience?

 

[airshot]

Does your boat sit in the water during the boating season or sit on a trailer? No copper paint on an aluminum hull ! If your boat is trailered, it is not as critical as if it sits moored all season. My 1992 boat sits on a trailer and the bottom looks like new other than a few nicks and scrapes. Once you get it painted and cured, use spray on car wax a few times each season to keep crap from sticking to your hull. Makes it much easier to clean and no need to buff it out.