1973 Tsunami - Paint over gelcoat

[ericallen01]

Hello CSCer's

Wondered if anyone had advice on dealing with paint over gelcoat? This boat used to be SeaCraft red and was painted over with Interluxe Marine paint before I bought it.

Thanks

[77SceptreOB]

What is your question?

[ericallen01]

Freshwater boat - would it be better to repaint with marine paint or sand down and gelcoat / awlgrip? Either seems like a big job.

Thanks,

Eric

[Bushwacker]

If it was painted with urethane (Brightsides?), many urethanes such as Awlgrip, Imron, etc. are not repairable, so you'd have to paint the whole thing. Other urethanes, such as Awlcraft, Signature Finish and the EMC Quantum stuff sold by forum member Shine can be touched up, wet sanded/buffed and repaired, so much more practical for a boat that you're actually gonna use! Gel coat will require about same or more labor, but with only 3-6 month durability between waxing compared to YEARS for the urethanes! Gel coat might be cheaper, but I wouldn't even consider it for doing entire boat!

[joshmon71]

you can spot touch up awlgrip, i do. its not perfect since the paint has changed a bit with sun. basically i use an airbrush, dont let the alwgrip full cure, and high grade sandpapers. somewhere i have the steps. nobody else but me can see it, i can see very place on the boat thats not perfect though. anyhow i do that since boat came awlgripped....and dont feel like a total repaint, pulling off the cap,etc.

if going from scratch, and DIY, go something like emc is what i would do....

awlgrip is finicky, you must follow the bluebook rules...

[shine]

If you want to repaint her, I can give you a great deal and support for the EMC. You do not need to sand off all the existing paint either.

[Tashmoo2]

I would 2nd the help you get from Shine. I am finishing an 18 SeaCraft and a larger boat. He uses the products sold on his site and is very unselfish about answering questions.