what do I do next before painting???

I am new at this fiberglass boat stuff. Got the boat for nothing and it had a few cracks on the side and bottom. Sanded down all the paint off and patched the cracks with fiberglass cloth and resin. Next I put some marine caulk along the cracks. Now I'm in the process of using 120 grit sandpaper to smooth out the resin and other areas. I have been reading about painting the boat and my head is spinning!! This is just for a weekend toy, so nothing special. Do I need to prime the boat before painting since its down to bare fiberglass? I have seen stuff about washing the wax off, do I need to do this since it was painted before? I have heard automobile paint is cheaper and will work?? Is it ok to use on the bottom or do I need to go with the more expensive bottom cote from interlux or blue water? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

if your not really worried about looks just brush and roll it

 

Newbie, I saw your post on another board and answered it there.

 

if you use gel coat be in store for some very labor intensive sanding.if you use auto paint use imron , it will flex with your boat

 

NEVER, NEVER use Imron or Awlgrip unless your in a spray booth with proper equipment. ONLY STUPID PEOPLE DO THIS. YOU will die an early death. In your case I would use a single stage polyurethane. Brush on. Interlux makes one.

 

jims right dont spray unless u have a booth with a airmakeup that **** will kill u in no time its like drinking a couple of bottles of wiskey on your liver and thats not mentioning smoking a couple hundred cigerettes that type of paint is for trained pros and not ameteurs trust me on that