Repainting Help!

I have a 77' Avenger Jet Boat/Speed Boat. This boat was the speed king of my local lake in the 80's. Well its my dads boat. My uncle took the boat out to the lake and sinks it. He ruined the motor and in the process of the repair he decided to regelcoat the topside of the boat he sanded it down and it has set in a field for 25 years ever since. I would like to restore this boat to its speed king throne. But first it needs a new paint job. I have painted many Automobiles and motorcycles and I know that painting a boat is different. I was wondering if someone could help me make the transition from automotive to marine painting. Are there one step paints that have a gelcoat and paint mixture. I want to paint it to last but I don't want it to be to hard to apply. If someone can give the spraying steps and what paints to get and use and how to apply them properly please help me. If you have a suggestion on what paint to use or what type of paint you use and how you mix it and apply it let em know it would help me out alot. Thanks

 

Or do I even need to gelcoat it is there a different route to take someone told me that they just painted their boat with the same paints and clearcoat that you use on automobiles how long would that last or would it last at all. The boat will always be in fresh water. Also do I need to get a different type of primer. Sorry if I sound like an uneducated idiot but I just want to paint the boat right and have it look good. Thanks

 

I don't know if its clear from what I said before but the original color is also gone so.I was going to go with a silver metal flake. Most of the bottom of the boat is still in great condition and its the original paint so I'm sure its gelcoat. I would like to only have to paint what is needed to be repainted and leave the bottom alone. Is there a way to put a new color and clear on the top and blend it with the original gelcoat at the bottom. From what I have read gelcoat is hard to work with is ther somthing that will bond with the gelcoat and that is easy to work with. Again I'm sorry If I take up to much of your time but if your ever close to the lake that I frequent I'll let you water ski or tube or wake board off of my newly repainted jet boat as repayment. Thanks

 

I don't know much about painting so I'll let someone else answer that. I'm just wondering about the condition of the boat itself. Sunk, then half repaired, then sits in a field for 25 years sounds like trouble. Maybe the boat isn't worth the effort and expense. What condition is all the encapsulated wood in? How about the engine and drive? Does it run? Sam

 

It is made of fiberglass so it hasn't rotted or anything. The motor is a 454 they already had it rebuilt but never put it in. I plan on rebuilding it again anyway because it hasn't been turned over four like 20 years. The jet drive still looks good from the outside. I work at a mechanic shop and have a lot of hookups so I can get everything pretty cheap. It is 100% restorable.

 

Corvette body repaint? Could be the same steps involved. Clear coat, gel-coat? A call to a good auto paint company will open your eyes and save some money.

 

Awlgrip or Awlcraft 2000 @ Awlgrip.com This should give you plenty of info.
esp. with youre experience. Remember preperation is the key to ANY sucess.

 

I have plenty of experience but only with newer cars and motorcycles I just wanted to know what the best products were and how to apply them but I think that I have now.
Thanks to everyone that helped

 

FYI.. just because the boat is fiberglass does not mean you don't have any rot issues. Almost all boats of that vintage used wood core for stringers, transom, deck, etc.. Although the outside may look fine, you may have issues brewing in places you cannot see. As far as paint, Awlgrip makes a good paint and interlux perfection goes down nice too if they are applied properly. Cehck the awlgrip link above. I have never used gel-coat, but have heard it is alot of work to get it buffed down and shiny. I would investigate the above mentioned areas to make sure you do not sink alot of time and money into something that needs more extensive work than just paint. I just got finished rebuilding my boat, and at first thought everything was fine. 1 year and $3500 later I have a like new rig. I would do it over again too. I say go for it, but make sure you know what you are getting into. Anything that is sunk and sits up for 20 odd years is likely to have some strings attached...Good luck. my .02