I have a buddy who owns an auto repair shop...says he can repaint the surface of an OC1 or ski using auto paint that will weigh about 3/4 lbs and buff out any surface scratches....anyone try some thing like this before?
Submitted by zumapop on Sat, 04/25/2009 - 4:36pm
#1 Sun, 04/26/2009 - 11:25am
One of our mirages got basically totalled and was completely repainted with car paint and it's now the best looking boat we have.
#2 Sat, 04/25/2009 - 4:52pm
The Hurricane and Pegasus I know are sprayed w/ automotive paint .
#3 Sat, 04/25/2009 - 5:04pm
I do it all the time. I would just caution to use a very good LP paint such as Imron
#4 Sat, 04/25/2009 - 6:40pm
Or Awlgrip,
Is the current finish of the boat beyond bringing back to life ?
Just wondering.
Zumapop, make sure your guy does the process you describe in reverse : )
aloha,
pog
#5 Sat, 04/25/2009 - 10:13pm
Gell coat baby...lol
#6 Sun, 04/26/2009 - 8:42am
for our older rowing boats some of the boat builders here offer a referb service where they grind of the old gel coat and spray the boats with automotive paint this brings back a nice finish and cuts a couple of pounds off the weight of the boat. btw all of the builders here use it on the boats here these days no more gel coat they actually spray the mold with the automotive paint then lay the glass carbon ect so it barely needs any buffing or anything when they pop it out
#7 Sun, 05/03/2009 - 10:11pm
We are in the process of refinishing an old OC-6 with Interlux Toplaq. Haven't painted yet, but it's supposed to provide a nice glossy finish that's pretty durable, especially since it doesn't have to be sprayed and you can roll and tip it.
If it turns out well I'll try and post some pics showing before and after.
I'd say go for the paint job if the gel coat is trashed and won't come back with a little buffing and sanding.
#8 Mon, 05/04/2009 - 3:01am
I have done this with a Hurricane and it turned out great. I used PPG Concept paint with a single clearcoat. It has held up amazingly well and only added 1.5 lbs or so to the hull weight.
Raphael
#9 Mon, 05/04/2009 - 7:00am
To guys that paint cars and big boats for a living, a canoe or ski is EZ money for them. The gelcoat is a nice 'primer' base for them to work with. So if sanding for prep, not a big deal to burn most of it off with the DA. I don't wish refinishing with gelcoat on anyone. In the past, you had to use gelcoat in the molds but now with new releases, the guys can spray top coat paints in ... The is a great as the finish can mre less than half the weight of traditional gelcoat now.
aloha,
pog
#10 Mon, 05/04/2009 - 9:30am
just a word of warning gel coats can and do absorb water so make sure that it has dried out very well before painting as if there is any moisture left underneath it will bubble
#11 Mon, 05/04/2009 - 8:54pm