Painting crazed gelcoat

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by canoe42, Jun 30, 2008.

  1. canoe42
    Joined: Sep 2007
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    Location: Maine

    canoe42 Junior Member

    Well I guess patching the crazed gelcoat isn’t going to work. Too many cracks that are really impractical to sand completely out. My revised plan is to patch the ¼” hole with fiberglass cloth and polyester resin, then sand smooth. As far as the gelcoat on the canoe, plan to sand it down with successive grit sandpaper to 220 grit and prime and paint. Don’t care about the cracks, as canoe does not leak. Maine question now is what to paint it with? Thinking of automotive spray primer and automotive acrylic paint. If there are marine primers and paints that would work better please let me know.
     
  2. the1much
    Joined: Jul 2007
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    Location: maine

    the1much hippie dreams

    all marine paints and primer will work better,,,,but ,,if your not fixing the cracks,,then why waste the money on marine paint,,,,,,,its just fine to use auto paint if your not looking for it lasting,,,and even if you want it to last,,,auto paint should stay on a canoe for 10 or so years ;)
     
  3. Kaptin-Jer
    Joined: Mar 2004
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    Location: South Florida

    Kaptin-Jer Semi-Pro

    As long as the cracks are only gel coat crazing you can fill with a glazing putty then sand and fare down to 320. If you are going to go through the trouble and expense of spraying auto paint you should go the small next step and spray Awl Grip. Canoe paint gets even more abuse then a typical boat at a marina, so go for the better paint. A pint kit should give you about 5 coats, but I defer to JIm. He is the spray Guru.
     

  4. the1much
    Joined: Jul 2007
    Posts: 3,897
    Likes: 44, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 696
    Location: maine

    the1much hippie dreams

    ya it should be 5 coats,,more or less depending on how ya spray.
     
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