Hey there. can you use the same oil based paint you would use on a car? Color and clear? the boats paint is faded bad and its not a gel coat. The boat will do about 50 mph if that makes a difference in paint. thanks…
ok thanks, is epoxy based paint a 2 stage paint or is it just color and no clear coat?
No – That paint won’t hold. You’ll need an epoxy-based paint formulated for fiberglas.
Sand the whole thing down with about 320/400 grit paper (wet or dry), repair any holes and blemishes with regular filler, eg polyester, sanding these to a nice fair and flat finish when cured, then repaint using a brush or roller.
For a really good ‘look like a new one’ job, use a two-pack polyurethane paint such as International™ ‘Perfection 709′. This is now widely used on other applications, for example, over wood-epoxy boats. But it was originally developed by International Paints for exactly this purpose – restoring old, tired GRP structures. But it is very expensive. As are the accompanying solvents.
For a more reasonable price, just use a good-quality regular, oil-based paint.
So, treat the job as a normal paint job, rub it all down, fill any blemishes, then paint with a two-pack polyurethane or regular oil-based paint.
Finish with a wax polish after the paint has cured really well.
If you use polyurethane paint, use up to four coats of gloss. You only need an undercoat really if you are changing the colour. And even if you are, on a small boat, it would make the job unrealistically expensive really. If you use oil-based, ‘regular’ paint it’s the other way around – up to four undercoats and a coat of gloss. Two, if not satisfied with the result.
(Note: You do not need to have anything to do with gelcoat products. I mention this because it is a common misconception you may encounter. And epoxy paints are for use below the waterline).
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Check around boat dealers/repair shops. All you want to use is Marine paint.
There’s no reason you can’t use a good quality automotive paint and primer on a boat, the secret is in doing a good job on the prep to insure adhesion of the paint and a good finish. there is a paint that is made for marine use called “Awl-Grip”. It’s a great paint, bit expensive as hell. A good alternative to it is a Dupont product called “Imron”. It’s not as expensive, but it is one of the toughest paints around. It’s used on heavy equipment like bulldozers, loaders forklifts, etc. and with proper prep it sticks like glue, I’ve used it many times. For a perfect shine you can wet sand the paint after it cures and buff it to a brilliant finish! Good luck!!
Two part epoxy. Automotive and oil based paints will not work.