Heres the deal. I have an old '75 Glastron 17 footer. It needs paint real bad. I am not the guy who has the cash or inclination to just take it out and get some shop to paint anything. I have been reading about methods of applying paint to the boat and found some articles about brush and roller painting boats to get a finish as good as spray jobs. I need some help. Anyone have any good tips or ideas about painting a $500 boat to make it look like it was done the right way. I know I will get those "if you want it to look right then do it right!", but just can afford an expensive paint job. How about Arizona paint shops that wont charge my first born to do it?

 

Can't you get one of the squids on the Essex to paint it haze gray for you?

~Rob

 

You know with enough chocolate and soda I could get a squid to do just about any BS job I asked! Good response but not exactly what I was looking for!

 

How'd you like Sasebo? Sasebo brings back lots of fond memories.

If you don't know of anyone who paints, go to the auto hobby shop on base and ask around. There's got to be some folks hanging out there that "know's someone" who can paint or has access to a paint shop. Ask around. Go to a paint shop place and shoot the breeze with one of the painters and ask if there's anyone who moonlights.

Then again, "...hold my beer; where's the roller?" sounds like fun.

Keep up the good work.

 

Sasebo was short lived. We didnt get much time to enjoy the sights if you know what I mean. I have attended the paint and final finish school given by the Navy but dont have access to the booth on base. I would paint it outside on a day that isnt windy but dont have a compressor or a generator to run it. I cant get into my backyard with it or I would do that. I will dig around and see what I can find out about moonlighting painters. Thanks for the help. Im not to keen on the roller idea, but I read it so it must be true, right? Take care.

 

normally you can rent a compressor and a paint gun from a local tool rental place, if you have a Home Depot around that should be no problem. at most for a day $125, you might not be able to rent a paint gun but might be able to buy a used one or even a cheap one. good luck and post some before and after pics,

 

I'm not sure about the procedure for painting a boat, but I painted my 24' gooseneck trailer with a Sears airless (electric) spraygun and was happy with the results. Lots of light coats was the trick, because the paint has to be very thin. (water).

 

With a smooth foam roller, a gal of walmarts enamel , in your choice of colors.
You will be amazed at the final result as it rolls on smooth and the surface itself smooths out a lot . Try it on a scrap piece of metal or fiberglass . It isnt going to give a metalflake or candy apple finish but it does give a durable smooth finish that looks good---------til you run it up against the dock and scratch it !!!

 

Well I have been reading about the Roll and Tip method alot tonight. Looks like the way to go. I will deffinately post before and after pics.

 

no matter how you apply it, make sure you use a fiberglass compatable paint. If not it will end up looking real bad in less then a year. and peeling real bad

 

This is going to be trial and error. I will let everyone know how it goes but it wont be for a while. I have to get off this boat before I can touch mine!

 

Well I was looking at some results from a guy who painted his entire boat with a 3" foam roller. He used the three inch because of the detail work. He put 5 coats on with a high dollar marine grade paint. I was just going to get some white paint from a hardware store that is rated for hot tubs or something, thin it out real good and then paint the boat with a roller similar to what that guy used. That boat was shiny as all get out. I also have some Dupont paint I got from Napa that I am going to use for my trim but I dont know how it is going to hold up. Im not a paint wizzard.