What kind of paint to use for longevity

[Hofty]

Hey folks,

So in the past I have used the roll and tip method for painting topside paints. Mostly used interlux brightside. That was on fibreglass boats.

I have picked up this StarCraft Chieftain (aluminum hull) and want to breathe new life into the hull and topside. There is factory paint on the boat and I'd be wanting a nice smooth new look without painting over scratch indents so likely a primer filler to get the levelling right.

I live in Canada do don't seem to get as many varieties of paints like down in the states. I guess what I'm asking is does auto enamel with a hardener and 2k clearcoat allow for a decent job or what paint will make this boat look the part.

Any advice is helpful.

 

[jimmbo]

You're in the Fraser Valley, near Chilliwack? Have you checked with any Marine Dealers in the Vancouver Area, they likely have had Aluminum Hulls repainted. Myself, I would stay clear of Auto Paints, and use an Epoxy Paint.

The Kicker Bracket needs some TLC...

 

[stresspoint]

its all in the choice of primer you choose , just about any self etching will work for you 'however " ,my choice is to etch prime first over any sand throughs and then a self etch over that , then a 2k epoxy enamel top coat .
steer away from clear coats unless you are using metallic or mica paint.

roll and tip / tip and roll , will work just fine for a top coat if that is what you are experienced with.

dont over think it , i painted a mates tinny 10 years ago and the paint is still on there , faded and scratched from hitting stuff , but solid.

 

[Hofty]

So looks like I have a decent job ahead of me. The paint underneath the boat is fairly chipped and beaten up. Would it be best to paint on paint stripper and then get paint stripper poly disks to cut down to the aluminum?

Any ideas are welcome.

See pictures.

 

[jbcurt00]

Take a look around lots of good info in here

Countless Starcrafts have been painted this way

1961 Lonestar Flamingo - SPLASHED w/Pics

Re: 1962 Lonestar "Flamingo" - I finally Started w/pics Re: 1962 Lonestar "Flamingo" - I finally Started w/pics OK, 3rd and Final coal of Easypoxy has been on and cured for two weeks. I am REALLY pleased with it. Especially with the Valspar Hardener. It's hard as Nails, and I THINK she looks...

forums.iboats.com

Prep prep prep

 

[stresspoint]

it all depends on whether you are after a show boat finish or just a good from a far paint job.

if you are looking to make it look tidy and shiny with a durable finish ,then i would suggest to sand it back with 100 grit paper as best you can, give it a coat of etch primer then a couple of good coats of 2k epoxy primer filler ,use that to fill imperfections !, sand that back to your satisfaction ,it sands easy with 180 sandpaper then you can 320 grit again over it to get a surface for top coat .

 

[Scott Danforth]

On your 60+ year old failed paint. The key to longevity will be prep.

Sand, alodine, etching primer, lightly sabt, epoxy primer, 2-part paint

 

[Hofty]

Thanks for the tips. Any idea of 2 part paint brands or some specific types I should use?

 

[stresspoint]

Thanks for the tips. Any idea of 2 part paint brands or some specific types I should use?

your best bet there is to ho shopping at a local paint store , never mind the whooooo haaa about marine paints , once prep is done proper almost any epoxy 2 k paint will hold up.

 

[Hofty]

Feedback. I purchased a paint stripper "EZ Strip". Layered on the gel in a nice thick layer. It is currently 20 degrees (68-72F). The process did diddili squat. Maybe a little bubble here n there but I think the formula used will require bath of the boat to rid the paint off the bottom!

Now onto the big boy toys. What have others used to strip the paint off the hull. I used "Poly Strip Wheel Disks" in the past (4 or 5" disks) on a 12' aluminum. I burnt thru a 8 pack of those. They good and don't eat the aluminum but they shear off easy if under too much load and boy oh boy do they require some elbow grease.

I have seen 8" sanding disks with sandpaper material. Any luck with these? I know the next step up is pay someone to sandblast the hull but im looking for sweat hours I can put in with less energy consumed as per the 4-5" pads I have used in the past. Ultimate answer is that the bottom paint is thick and needs to be removed. I don't care about what the next steps are, I need paint GONE!

 

[Scott Danforth]

6" DA with 80 grit