Boat painting

Goostoff · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:10 pm

Anyone know if automotive paints will hold up on a boat? I know they can be used on fiberglass truck accessories with no problems. Just wondering how it would hold up on the boat. I dont want to do anything with the bottom. Just the dark blue on the sides on up. My gel coat is in pretty bad shape, and I have become quite a hobbyist painter. Figured I would dive into a little custom paint job on the boat.

BTW this will be a base coat/ clear coat system.

brijr77 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:38 pm

Not sure on a boat, but my truck cap which is fiberglass scratches pretty easy. I have a couple of spots that look terrible.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:53 am

I think LouC had his boat painted with Dupont Imron. There's a thread about it somwhere on this board.

Goostoff · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:06 am

Found the thread with a quick search. Just a couple days ago too. Shoulda searched a different area.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:30 am

Yes I had the old FW done in red Imron, it looks great and Imron is about the most durable paint you can use, but it has to be professionally done, it's too dangerous to spray without the right equipment.
It is expensive to have done, for sure.
There are other options, auto paint can be used, if it is done above the water line.
Also, there are marine paints designed for rolling and tipping by do it yourselfers, that can give good results for a lot less money.
I had the shop do Imron because I wanted to to this only once and I don't have a shop where I could have rolled and tipped it myself. If I had a good place to work I would have strongly considered it.
There are a bunch of threads at both:
http://www.iboats.com (restoration forum)
http://www.thehulltruth.com

Goostoff · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:32 pm

My search on thehulltruth came up with a big fat ZERO, but I managed to find all sorts of conflicting info and results in iboats. What the heck.I am going to give it a shot doing it my way and see what happens. Its not like I have a bunch of money tied up in this boat. Including the cost of a paint job I will still be into this boat for less that $2k. If the paint turn out I will treat her to some new seats courtesy of the LouC method.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:51 pm

Auto paint is more prone to UV damage. No better then gelcoat. If it's a garage boat it should look good for years but something tied to a dock or outside id invest in a really good cover

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:31 am

go back to the hull truth and search under the user name Glen E, he had a center console painted black with I think automotive paint, he is in Fla and the boat is left out on a lift most of the year. It looks phenomenal.
Also search under the user name RayboMarineNY, that is the shop that did mine, Rob the owner has more information on paints for boats than just about anybody else.
Trying to find a consensus, on something like this is about impossible. But for me, since Imron was designed to paint airplanes and over the road trucks, that says that it is durable for boat use and will last. Formula uses it for their graphics, other makers use it too, usually its either Imron or Awlgrip.

www.iFourWinns.com

Boat painting

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