Painting Question

Hello, I am new here and have been reading numerous posts and articles about painting boats. I was given a 1973 Chrysler Sport Fury and I would like to repaint it. The boat structure is in great condition, but the paint is the original yellow that has faded over the years.

I will probably only have this boat out on the water (fresh water, Illinois and Texas) about once a week during the summer. Other than that it will be stored on its trailer with a boat cover or in storage.

I have seen several posts where people have said that it is unnecessary to apply an antifouling bottom paint in situations like mine. Is this true?

I have been looking at using Interlux paints. From my research I think I might try useing Interlux Brightside. If what I have read is correct I will first need to clean the boat with acetone. Then I will need to sand it, clean it again with some special wash, apply a few coats of primer (Interlux Pre-Kote) and then 2-3 coats of the Brightside. Am I on the right track?Are there any steps im leaving out? I have also read that I will need to use buffing compound and buff the boat once I have finished painting it.

To combat wear from being stored and taken on and off the trailer I have thought about putting a keelshield on the bottom. It has a cathedral hull so this is the major point where it can be damaged. Is this a good idea?

Sorry for the long post I just have been reading many different things and want to know my best option. Thanks!

 

You may not need to paint the boat. De-oxidize the gel coat with chemicals or a polishing compound, then buff it up good. This may be all you need, depending on how much gel coat is left on your hull.

If a boat is to live on a trailer, then you don't need anti fouling bottom paint.

A keel stripe is up to you, but with the very limited use it'll see, by your description, you don't need it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have thought about using a fiberglass cleaner, a friend of mine recommended a product made by Meguiars. Its a three part system, one is the oxidation remover, the other is a high gloss polish and the last one is a wax. Is this what I should use?

The only reason I would like to paint it is because it is a very ugly faded yellow, plus I have the summer off and have too much time on my hands. If I do decide to paint it, am I on the right track from what I described in my previous post?

 

Hello Chry Sport Fury,

the quicker solution is described by Par, but if your looking to extend the project then you are on track as you described in your post.

I noticed you posted in June, so I guess you've already gone one way or the other. I'd be interested to know which?

 

Hey Chris,

Sorry it took so long to respond, ive been traveling alot and just moved from Illinois to Texas, but yes I already finished my boat. I decided to sand it all down, cleaned it with a cleaning product from Interlux (fiberglass solvent wash 202). I then used a foam roller to put two coats of Interlux Pre-Kote primer (sanded in between coats and before first coat of paint). After that I put two coats of Interlux Brightsides using a brush. I followed the technique that Interlux suggests and the finished product came out great. I got the boat for free and invested about $800 in it and it is now like a brand new boat and runs like a champ. I replaced the seats, carpet and added a 2nd battery and all the proper wiring components. I added a stereo and decided to go with a wood dash and side panels that I sealed with outdoor polyurethane and then coated them with epoxy(which may have been a little overboard, but it will last longer). After completing this boat I cant stop thinking about my next project. I recently helped some friends build a 12' flat bottom wooden skiff, that turned out very nice. Thanks for your interests, ive found that alot of people on this site just want to boast and not answer questions directly. I got alot of help from some people at batlu.com. It is more of a boat builder forum, but there are alot of people on there willing to help. Here are a few pictures.

Cheers,
Paul

 

If you applied poly varnish first and then epoxy, you did it backwards. You can start sanding now. Epoxy, does not withstand UV radiation very well. It will begin to chalk pretty soon if exposed directly. The drill is to seal the wood with epoxy and then apply a top coat that has UV inhibitors. Warning...most epoxies desplay an aggravating tendency to produce "amine blush". That is a hazy, sometimes gooey film that rises to the top of the surface. You must remove that haze before paint or varnish is applied. Otherwise the paint will not stick no matter how good or expensive it is. Remove the haze with sanding, a strong solvent such as acetone, or in some cases a strong detergent and water.

Congrats for your (almost) successful restoration.