Fiber glass paint jobs, colors, scheme etc..

[hoytedow]

polyurethane

[J3]

Somewhere I read an article on how they do the complicated in-gelcote colors now using some kind of color inlay application in the mold. Can't find it. Anyone have experience doing elaborate designs in-mold gelcote?

(I'm old fashioned - I prefer single colors

[ondarvr]

Doing it in mold with gel coat is about the same as doing it later with paint, lots of tape, paper, skill and the right products.

Many of the custom looking color schemes on boats are vinyl, depending on the quality, part of the world you live in and where you store the boat, vinyl can last a long time. But in intense sun and when stored outside all methods and products will fail sooner than you would like them too.

[Vulkyn]

So is there any point in spraying varnish on top of Vinyl ?
I mean it wount effect the color fading but it would at least protect it from miner scratches?

[ondarvr]

I wouldn't put anything over the vinyl, it just makes life more difficult.

The nice thing about vinyl is it can be removed and replaced relatively easily compared to paint

[Vulkyn]

Originally Posted by J3

Somewhere I read an article on how they do the complicated in-gelcote colors now using some kind of color inlay application in the mold. Can't find it. Anyone have experience doing elaborate designs in-mold gelcote?

(I'm old fashioned - I prefer single colors

Thats what i was looking for as well some one told me they do it using vinyl in molding stage paint then remove creating different colors or something im looking into it and asked a friend who works in fiber repair to send me his technique he's been using for about 8 years now.

[Ramius41]

In-Mould Gel coat graphics if not has , is becoming a lost art! And it is also more of a 2d paint scheme. Its hard to do the newer looking shadows and wilder graphics because for 1 you have to do everything backwards. We paint our graphics on after ist been pulled from the moulds and we use traditional automotive paint and then put a clear coat over for the UV protection. The problem is that its basically permanent(to a point)...and means that if you have to repaint it means you have to sand almost down to the original gel coat. Wraps(Vinyl decals) are the new thing , but as Apex1(Richard) has posted , its not a permanent solution by far , but its much easier to redo or change....you just put a bit of heat on it and pull it off and scuff and buff the area and place your new graphics on it!....I am not sure how large a boat you are talking about...we build a 19' tunnel hull so we do not have lot of area to cover....but our 40'er is a different story! Also there is a big difference between saltwater and fresh as far as the Wraps go...I have seen wraps flapping in the wind from good day in the salt!

[Vulkyn]

Thx for your help sir !!

Yah salt water operation 40 - 45 degrees sun 70-95% humidity 5 - 10 meter boats
Both fiber and strip planked epoxy.

My friend assures me he has 6 year boats with 3M Vinyl colors that are still going strong .... he is too busy to email me how he does it though will keep badgering him .....

[Ramius41]

Originally Posted by Vulkyn

Thx for your help sir !!

Yah salt water operation 40 - 45 degrees sun 70-95% humidity 5 - 10 meter boats
Both fiber and strip planked epoxy.

My friend assures me he has 6 year boats with 3M Vinyl colors that are still going strong .... he is too busy to email me how he does it though will keep badgering him .....

Yes I have seen those also...but they go out and play in the water for a couple of hours and then take the boat out of the water and wash wax and park it in a garage! anything will last a long time if its properly cared for , thats why there are 100 year old boats still around! But I guess I am more of a cynic , if it can be broken it will be!...lol

[Vulkyn]

lol .....
If it that what it takes than that good enough for me !!
Just dont want it to shrivel shrink and die horribly in its maiden voyage lol