HELP!-----Painting

RIStriperFisherman	I am not a boat painter so this is still very confusing to me. I have a 15' Starcraft FIBERGLASS v-hull (1968). I NEED to paint this boat (looks like hell) But I am not sure if she floats...so I think I have to sand it all down and fill in some cracks first, There is also an area I would like to re-glass... Can I still paint over it? I want to flip the hull, Sand it- and that's all I know- Now I am lost. Sand it, what kind of paper? palm/power?? Primer? Yes or No? what kind? How much of it? is it needed? Paints? What kind, (1 part, 2 part, I have no idea of the differences) It's a fishing boat and doesn't have to be very shiny, I want the CHEAPEST paint & method possible. I don't care if it only last a couple of years for that is as long as I will probably own her Methods? Roll, Brush ?? what can be done outside, by a few people? Safely? IS THERE ANYWAY POSSIBLE I CAN GET AWAY W/ CHEAP EVERYTHING FOR UNDER $200 ? YES OR NO? ANY TIPS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING PLEASE.... almost boating season and I need to get this done I know I sound like an idiot (I feel like one also) But please take some time to give any advice it is very needed. thanks	2003-02-02
boatingfool	I bought fiberglass repair kit from wal-mart. put it on let it dry sanded with reg 80 grit, Did not prime hull just used marine paint with a roller. Boated for years with that paint job never a chip. It was the first time ever doing it and I had the same Qs as you. I answered one of your other posts with more info. If you want to know more just let me know. I didn't sand mine but no one had attempted to paint it before, it was original color just horribly faded.	2003-02-02
RIStriperFisherman	I SEE, sounds good but my boat looks like it has House paint on it (previous owner = idiot) and I don't know what the situation is under the paint.....so I must sand- Still need primer?	2003-02-02
boatingfool	Once you sand it all down you will be down to the gel coat which is where I started. I did not prime but it wont hurt if you do. Most people say priming is a must. All I know is I didn't and it was a very hard paint. I never babied it and never had a problem with the paint coming off. Lets stick with your other post so we are not jumping back and forth	2003-02-02
RIStriperFisherman	Okay, I'll meet you over there>>>>>>>> (haha) thanks	2003-02-02
jeffhead	I have the same boat lol.....and today I started ripping up the floor and rebuilding the boat. The entire floor was soaked under the fiberglass and was rotting. I got a saw cut some line in the floor and started tearing it up and took pics of the whole process .... I also will have to paint it but I need to clean out the hull because it is so heavy from the soaked and rotting wood, then I will flip it and fix and paint the outside and then rebuild the floor and re-fiberglass.......I have pic if you want to see them I can email them to you if you want	2003-02-02
RIStriperFisherman	1968 15' Starcraft, You have this boat? Wow!! I would love to see any pictures of it, not only of the currant job but of the hull and transom, profile pictures, anything! yes please send them over.[edited] PLEASE KEEP TIPS COMING thanks!	2003-02-02
crab bait	use 'marine tex' for patching' ..marine paint & a roller for painting',, porter cable random orbital sander with 3M sand paper for sanding' ( green )..no primer needed..	2003-02-02
jeffhead	Hey man if you got you AOL instant messenger on I can send them to you that way.... my AOL is brtcuda ...	2003-02-02
jamiewashere	MAN GO TO INTERLUX.COM..( I THINK THAT IS THEIR WEBSITE. IF NOT , JUST LOOK UP INTERLUX. THEY WILL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND USE.	2003-02-03
Franki	I thought you needed to use an etch primer on fiberglass to get a good bond between glass and paint?? is that not the case?? I was going to get a compressor to paint mine,, is a roller just as good? (I was planning on using 2pak paint, but if there is an easier option that is just as good, I'd be most interested.) Only problem is that the yanks on the list have a lot more options with regards to products then we do here in Australia.. (we are called "down under" because we are the worlds @sshole. :-)	2003-02-03
boatingfool	I used no primer and a roller , lasted for years and looked great. If I didn't tell people I painted it they couldn't tell.	2003-02-03
RIStriperFisherman	Thanks a lot for all the great replies- big help!! So far from what I read: I will buy a roller, normal MARINE paint, Some Sand Paper and Marine Tex. Then I sand the hull, Fill in cracks w/ Marine Tex then re glass that area near the bow- then REsand, Slap on some paint an go fishing ?? Sounds easy to say but my arms wont want to go fishing after all that, HUH? lol Please Keep them tips coming, so much help so far but still some of them questions have gone un answered, Please help!! thanks.	2003-02-03
Franki	I'd like to add a small question to this... When you have small cracks in the gel coat, what is the best method of fixing them??? should I open them up a bit first.. make enough of a space to get the filler in, or just try and force it in the crack...??? rgds Frank	2003-02-03
crab bait	your right ,FRANK, about the horn of plenty' here in the states.. WE GOT PRODUCT.. I always wonder,, when we wright about a product & things,, people off country must not have a clue what we're talking' about.. or maybe you do have it over there.. FRANK, yes it's best to open up a crack then patch...best tool is a 'dremel'( do you have ?? ) an a abrasive cut-off wheel.. follow it crack & patch with 'marine-tex' ( ditto ?? ) or epoxy putty.. same thing.. if you don't the crack isn't really filled/sealed.. it's just a surface patch .. an by-the-time you sand/feather edge ,, there's not much left.. do the same for home wall cracks.. best tool is a old pocket can/bottle opener ( church key) .. the kind the punches a 'V' notch in a can of juice. If you can still find 'them.. rake the pointy end along the crack .. opening' up a nice 'V' groove that holds spackle well..	2003-02-03

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