Re spray

ELK · 16-07-2012, 06:41 PM

I appreciate that there is nothing like having the original gel coat but if you need to re spray a whole hull from scratch is there a way of finishing it to a gel coat standard or will it always be more 'fragile'?

Many thanks for any help

Jon Fuller · 16-07-2012, 07:16 PM

That's the fastest shortcut known to man for devaluing your boat.

Jon Holmes · 16-07-2012, 07:21 PM

Pah!

Nothing de-values a boat like the aftermath of a Labour Government!

Jon Fuller · 16-07-2012, 07:22 PM

That does put things in perspective, I stand corrected.

john walmsley · 16-07-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELK

I appreciate that there is nothing like having the original gel coat but if you need to re spray a whole hull from scratch is there a way of finishing it to a gel coat standard or will it always be more 'fragile'?

Many thanks for any help

Hi
I paint cars for a living. The overall finish would look the same if painted and prepped corectly,a decent 2k paint or lacquer would be just as hard.

It would be more fragile then the gel coat though. Best to paint it the same colour as the gel.

Hope this helps. John

ELK · 16-07-2012, 07:30 PM

Thanks Jon, I realise that and don't intend to do it to mine but if an old hull (project) requires it I'm just wondering how good you can really get it? Is there some kind of protective top coat out there that gives some kind of protection to the new paintwork?

Jon Fuller · 16-07-2012, 07:36 PM

There's norr'a lot that'll stop a few trailer chips, or an unfortunate stone/concrete quayside rendering it 'scruffy' in no time, but, if it starts as a scruffy project, I guess its the only realistic option to make it tidy, at least in the shorter term.
Trouble is, the first thing anyone will ask themselves when they see it is: Why has it been painted, what's it covering up? And quite rightly too, as just about every boat (of this kind) that's painted, was done for one reason and one reason only, even if the only thing it's covering up is faded, knackered gelcoat (but it's usually much worse).

Just MHO of course.

leeornsby · 16-07-2012, 07:53 PM

I had heard that it was possible to spray gel coat or flo-coat, it this true? And is it any good?

john walmsley · 16-07-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELK

Thanks Jon, I realise that and don't intend to do it to mine but if an old hull (project) requires it I'm just wondering how good you can really get it? Is there some kind of protective top coat out there that gives some kind of protection to the new paintwork?

You can get the paint to look really good,look at some of the American power boats.
Like JF said,there's nothing to protect it from chipping off.

ELK · 16-07-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walmsley

You can get the paint to look really good,look at some of the American power boats.
Like JF said,there's nothing to protect it from chipping off.

Thanks John, You're right, this had crossed my mind, some of the American boats have amazing paint jobs and must cost a packet to create but this doesn't seem to worry them and doesnt stop them. I'm surprised they are willing to take the risks and that there is nothing on the market to better protect them.

Ok, thanks for info though.

Jon Holmes · 16-07-2012, 09:41 PM

It is possible to spray gelcoat but it is very expensive compared to 2 pack paint and you won't get a smooth "out of the mould" finish unless you build it up thick and then flat it back. Very labour intensive and therefor expensive.

Matt · 16-07-2012, 09:46 PM

Possible? Yes.
Bloody hard work, much harder than paint? Yes
Still not as good as virgin gel outta the mould? Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeornsby

I had heard that it was possible to spray gel coat or flo-coat, it this true? And is it any good?

ELK · 16-07-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Holmes

It is possible to spray gelcoat but it is very expensive compared to 2 pack paint and you won't get a smooth "out of the mould" finish unless you build it up thick and then flat it back. Very labour intensive and therefor expensive.

How much do you reckon for p21? Ballpark!

Jon Holmes · 17-07-2012, 07:25 AM

As I do not do this myself I would advise you obtain an estimate from someone who does. I had an estimate a few years back to strip and re-gel a thirty foot performance boat (below the water line only) and was looking at almost 8 grand. You also need to bear in mind that the chemical adhesion between the new Gel and the underlying GRP will not be as good as when the boat left the factory. This is because when the boat is being built the layup of the fibreglass is begun whilst the gelcoat is still wet and so the two dry out together forming a very strong bond.

If I was you I would go for the two pack paint option in the same colour.

Jon Holmes · 17-07-2012, 07:39 AM

Having just re-read this thread, am I right in thinking that you are proposing to paint a poor condition project boat? If this is correct, then unless it is a rare or significantly historic boat I wouldn't bother as the cost of doing so would in my opinion be better off spent on buying a better hull in the first place. You wouldn't see much change out of a grand for a professional paint job on a 21 footer and therefor a "cheap hull" would end up costing you the same as a good one but not be as good! (If you get my meaning).

deepvee · 17-07-2012, 08:46 AM

it would be handy to know someone that sprays boats, as there are always lots of projects out there for sale , would of thought they would do well off of here

deepvee · 17-07-2012, 10:03 AM

as you have mentioned theres nothing better than original gel, and like a few have said already done well you would never know hull as been painted, when you look at bors mint now 21, you wouldnt know that was painted, me personally wouldnt spray hull of your 21 when the boat does look stunning and clean any how, you can always tell a good, well looked after boat even if it has got a few scuffs/scrapes, as all these older boats will have now, just my opinion, ps do they even come out the mould this shinny, lovely job

Jon Fuller · 17-07-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepvee

ps do they even come out the mould this shinny, lovely job

Actually they did. Very few boats have a 'mould finish' like the P19, P21 & P23 did. Absolutely flawless, straight as a die, and mirror finish.

Even the 28's weren't bad straight out the mould.....they don't come any more 'newborn' than this..

deepvee · 17-07-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

Actually they did. Very few boats have a 'mould finish' like the P19, P21 & P23 did. Absolutely flawless, straight as a die, and mirror finish.

Even the 28's weren't bad straight out the mould.....they don't come any more 'newborn' than this..

when you pulled that mould off john i bet you grinned like a cheshire cat, yours does look a nice boat

Jon Fuller · 17-07-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepvee

when you pulled that mould off john i bet you grinned like a cheshire cat, yours does look a nice boat

Well I have to be honest, I wasn't present when they released the deck from the mould, they took that pic for me, but I certainly did a lot of grinning around that time, that's for sure.

My personal fave pic of my 28 is one that Chaos took, and accidentally got right...