Paint Job

[merriweather]

My husband and I just purchased a 1978 23-footer in desperate need of a paint job. As this is our first watercraft (and visit to this very informative site), can anyone recommend a better/longer-lasting brand of paint? Also, if the boat gets moderate saltwater use, how often might it need repainting? We checked out all the great photos and wonder what color was used on Mr. Sirotnak's beauty?

[Rich]

Merriweather,

Check out this link.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/cgi-b...c;f=3;t=000003

Lot's of useful information on Painting...

[Billybob]

Hi Merriweather- Bill Sirotnak here, the color on mine is called fighting lady yellow and when I bought the hull, the yellow had already been done recently with Awlgrip or Imron, I just had to do the bottom and the cockpit/topsides.As for the type of paint, on the outside I would use a 2-part.Imron,Awlgrip,Sterling,Interthane are all good.If you're going to do it yourself,many people have rolled and tipped with good results.If you spray this stuff, you need an air supplied respirator as it is VERY toxic.For the cockpit/topsides I used Easypoxy only because I wanted to spray it and I was doing it in the driveway and didn't want to take a chance.But the Easypoxy has held up well.Hope this helps, congrats on your new ride!

[merriweather]

Thanks for the information and well wishes, fellas. Is it a good time to paint her or do we need to wait for it to get warmer? there seems to be so much to learn. glad to know you're there!

[Billybob]

It depends on where you're painting it.I would say you want it to be a good steady 60 degrees or so.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

IF YOU USE A 2 PART PAINT LIKE AWLGRIP OR STERLING YOU CAN LOOK AT LEASE 10 YEARS OR MORE OF QUALITY PAINT APPEARANCE. MOST PEOPLE THAT SPRAY PREFER AWLGRIP BUT IF YOU ROLE AND TIP STERLING IS PROBABLY BETTER. I DID MINE WITH ROLE AND TIP AND IT CAME OUT LOOKING VERY GOOD. THESE TWO PART PAINTS COST A LOT BUT COMPARED TO HAVING SOMEONE ELSE SHOOT THE HULL IT’S CHEEP.
PS: IF I HADE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I WOULDN’T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT. STERLING –ROLL AND TIP
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[merriweather]

Like everywhere else, the weather in Atlanta has been inconsistent and a much colder winter than usual.
Although we'll be anxious to get her in the water, sadly i'm afraid it won't be a steady 60 degrees for months. Bill, how long did it take to paint your SeaCraft? (Ours is the same length as yours- and she's definitely a beauty! Perhaps we'll attempt to duplicate what you've done.) Also, are there any winter maintenance tasks we should be handling now? Thanks for your help!

[Matt1121]

Merriweather-

If you're not replacing the gas tank or engine you should pickle your gas tank with fuel stabilizer and winterize the engine. With the cold temps that have been hitting Atlanta these days...you don't want anything to freeze up and be damaged. Also, remove the batteries and put them on a work bench and attach to a trickle charger. If the batteries are shot and fail a load test, recycle them and buy new ones in the spring.

There is probably 20 other winterizing tasks that I am forgetting as of now, but those are the major ones and will get you started in the right direction.

Congrats on the new boat!

Ed Mancini

[Matt1121]

Merriweather-

If you're not replacing the gas tank or engine you should pickle your gas tank with fuel stabilizer and winterize the engine. With the cold temps that have been hitting Atlanta these days...you don't want anything to freeze up and be damaged. Also, remove the batteries and put them on a work bench and attach to a trickle charger. If the batteries are shot and fail a load test, recycle them and buy new ones in the spring.

There is probably 20 other winterizing tasks that I am forgetting as of now, but those are the major ones and will get you started in the right direction.

Congrats on the new boat!

Ed Mancini

[Billybob]

Merriweather - It took me a year to redo "The Beach Blonde" BUT most of that was recoring panels, and redoing console, then you got wiring, rigging, and of course the bottom got completely stripped and barrier coated, and some transom work.Assuming I had nothing to do but prep and shoot, I could have done it in a couple weeks.Of course, here in Ct., it was May before I could either mix epoxy or paint.I would say that if your boat is all rock solid, and all you're looking to do is prep/paint - then all you can get sarted on now is removing hardware and sanding.Unless you can get it in a shed somewhere.I know it's hard, every night I pull in the driveway and there she is all covered up with a foot of hard snow on top, and I got a few projects I want to get done in the spring too.But I'll tell you, after sweating like a dog (o.k. they don't sweat) all summer long on that thing, it was one good feeling when I finally took that first ride in Sept.