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  • John Hill DC says:

    Good stuff Bro! I recently retired and bought a 22 ft Hurricane project boat. The gel coat is worn off the bottom. You have sold me on painting but should I gel coat the bottom? I crawled under there today, its a huge surface, so it should be sprayed I suppose. Not a fun thought spraying while laying on the ground while its still on the trailer. Neither is rolling and tipping it! Any suggestions?

    • ~Andy says:

      For any surface below the waterline I would not use a regular paint; nor would I go through the trouble of trying to geloat! Best thing to do is apply what’s called a barrier coat (it’s an epoxy coating that you roll on). 2-3 coats of that followed up with a couple coats of bottom paint and it will look like new! Check out Pettit Protect for the barrier coat, and this calculator to see which bottom paint would be best for your location. http://www.pettitpaint.com/perfectpick/

  • Jeff Guild says:

    Very helpful. I will go with paint in the restoration of my 1964 Stamas speedboat.

  • david salt says:

    Hi

    Good description – quick question – what is the difference between oNE part and TWO part polyurethane
    paint? For the cost difference is it better to pay a little more for the TWO part?

    Thanks

    David

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi David! Two part paints are going to be more durable and resistant to chemicals (fuel). If budget allows I generally recommend going with a 2-part 🙂

  • Yuri says:

    Hey Andy, it’s your Canadian fan here. I’ve watched your videos. I have a 23′ ebbtide cudy. All sides and top are original. Even after watching your information video I’m still not sure what to do. I am thinking of full side and top restoration of top coat. Not sure if I should do gel coat or paint. You should do a video on repainting step by step of sides and the rest of the boat. Haha gel coat seems as a harder material. You said I could spray gel coat as well and would that be less sanding .

  • PHIL says:

    Hi Andy.

    Don’t normally go near the wet stuff, you will find me in the air in France in my microlight aircraft (weightshift) . Your videos and style of presentation are “tops” and I have found them very helpful.

    Thank you

  • Devin says:

    Hey Andy
    I am completely restoring a 1987 Fourwinn 200 Candia. It’s a 20′ fiberglass boat that is currently burgundy and two shads of gray. I wold like to change the color to today new cranberry metallic and off white or light gray. This boat will be used in fresh water lakes inland and be trailered after each.use.. I’m thinking of the “Vivid” paint. You used the PPG dbc and concept line on your little boar restore. Which paint or any other do you recommend? Gel coat is not out of reach if that would be more durable ? I like to do things right the first time and preferably one time.

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Devin,

      I used PPG for everything above the waterline, and a Pettit bottom paint for everything below. The only Vivid paint I am familiar with is bottom paint, but that’s not to say that it’s not out there; just not something I’ve used before 🙂 What kind of setup do you have for spraying? Whether you’re spraying a metallic paint or a poly-flake with clear gel you’ll need to have a good size compressor. As far as durability I think these two options are about equal (they’re both tricky to repair :-/ solid colors would be much easier. Only downside is that they don’t have that flashy look 🙂

  • Ed says:

    Hi Andy saw u on YouTube love your videos I think you do awesome work trying to learn how to do fiberglass!_ I am wanting to put a plywood deck on my boat I have a 18.5 Mantarey has noble deck on it what type of plywood should I use for strength to put fiberglass on and how thick should the fiberglass B

  • Ed says:

    Andy!- What thickness of plywood shood I use to make the deck strong and not spongy when you walk on it after it is qured with fiberglass and gelcoat

    • ~Andy says:

      It really depends on how much of a span there is between supports :-/ Generally 1/2 to 5/8 will work fine, but long spans may need thicker material.. The glass is what’s going to give the most stiffness 🙂

  • Bassel says:

    Hi Andy,
    Thank you for the nice videos.
    1- I’m in the process of making a center bore for my new MacGregor 26m after the fiberglass I’m thinking to go with the paint how ever it’s going to be in salt water most of my sailing time, which paint you recommend for me to use and what to finish it with.
    2- I’ll after that and when the wither allow “I’m in Virginia” I would like to paint the top side, it is Gelcoat but has a lot of oxidation “she was setting for three years in the sun before I saved her” can I wet sand it and paint it or what do you think? She has some gel coat scratches repairs on her sides.
    Thank you.
    Bassel

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Bassel!

      I’d say go with the paint that you will be able to apply the best (roll / tip or spray). Whether it’s a 1 or 2 part paint won’t make too much difference being in salt water. Just make sure to rinse and clean regularly 🙂 Maintain the best with Awlcare polymer sealant shown in the video and you’ll be good.

      If you want to paint the top, best approach would be to make any surface repairs (chips and dings use Adtech p-14; cracks will likely need some minor glasswork). Sand the surface down with 180 or 220 (follow the manufacturers recommendation) and apply 1-2 coats of primer. Sand that and topcoat with the desired paint.

      Hope this helps!

  • Glenn says:

    Andy;
    Question on painting over Awlgrip.
    I am painting over an old (10+ years) Awlgrip paint job. Do i need to prime it if the under original coat is pretty good? I had thoughts of just sanding with 330 to rough it up and the put on 2-3 coats of Awlgrip. The color is also the same.
    Glenn

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Glenn!

      If you know for certain that the old surface is Awlgrip there is no need to prime. Sand it down with 600 grit, clean and re-apply… Hope this helps!

  • Angie says:

    Hi.

    I know you mentioned that this video is part of a three-part series. Where are the other videos located? Maybe it would be helpful to have a link for each of them somewhere under/next to the first video. Your videos are awesome. Thanks for the helpful information.

    🙂

  • Pat Liberty says:

    I just discovered your website and videos. Thanks! I am learning so much from you. I have a 1975 43′ Viking double cabin motor cruiser and I am a full time live aboard. It’s a project boat and I am total DIY! Thanks!!!!!

  • mark says:

    Hi
    Excellant videos , very informative ! I however have not seen anything on suppliers to contact for resin ect or the gelcoat materials. I did see a video where you said do not purchase the materials from local autoparts house’s. If you have a list that would be excellant. thanks
    Mark Pederson

  • Filiberto Gomez says:

    Can you spray gel-coat on top of pettite hard bottom pain???

  • Jack says:

    I have a 22′ Bay stealth I repaired the spider cracks in the floor. I would like to paint the floor. What are the steps to get my boat ready for paint.
    Thank you
    Jack

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