Regarding painting my boat :) Read inside if you dare!

y2jericho	well I got a de havilland 1974 4.33m runabout. I recently flipped it over.. sanded it... primed it... and painted it with 2 Pac epoxy paint (juton or something) to a Diablo red color. The problem I have is I don't have access to a baking room and also it might burn the fiberglass The problem is I sprayed the boat to the best of my ability (2 coats) of the 2 Pac paint (its not antifouling as I don't need antifouling paint on my boat as it stays on my trailer at home) and the paintjob is kind of rough and its not smooth like lets say on a car painted with non metallic paint (I think its acrylic)... Someone told me the only way to get the car finish is to the sand the boat with 1000 grit wet and dry sandpaper with it wet and then polish it up with a special polishing cloth on my rotary tool... Is this correct? If so what kind of sponge/polishing element do I need and what kind of polishing compound/wax or whatever it is Thanks	2002-09-24
KeltonKrew	You must sand the rough or "orange peel" out of it. 1000 grit is ok. As far as polishing compounds, find a local auto parts store that carries auto paints and supplies. They can guide you in the direction of what compounds, etc. Be careful sanding because you can sand too much, and get below the color.	2002-09-24
crab bait	that's a real shame ,mate.. I have no comment on how to remedy your problem.. 2 part epoxy paint is not user-friendly,, at all.. epoxy paint sure is hard & wear proof but it is vulnerable to sun light.. it will dull soon & get chalky later on.. it's not really a good boat paint.. I'd sand down somewhat & paint over with a good boat paint.. that 'epoxy paint isn't all a loss.... you'll have one heck of a primer coat there..	2002-09-24
y2jericho	its the best paint money can buy here in Australia it cost me $450 Australian just for the paint to have just enough to paint my boat (4 l's) Thanks for the help I will try the sand paper and polishing technique and no I can't repaint the boat as I have spent well over my limit on this boat as it is and I still need to get a new windscreen and canopy rofl	2002-09-25
y2jericho	Update..... The paint is actually a Polyurethane Finish Coat! the undercoat was epoxy.... silly me Anyways will the sanding and polishing technique work? thanks	2002-09-25
Spidybot	The thing about spraying paint is, that you need humidity and temperature to be within specified ranges and then know how to apply the coats. It's about adding enough 'wet-in-wet' but not enough to start runners. The paint is self-leveling and gets a fine even surface with good luster, if it is done right. One common error is to go back an re-spray after the surface has begun hardening. Then the layers won't float and level and you add a spray of paint dust on top of the other layer. Car painter know this, and even pros experience problems from time to time. PS! Baking paint won't hurt the gel coat or the GRP.	2002-09-25

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