Paint Vs Gelcoat

BARNABY55 · #1 07-09-2003, 10:53 PM

When re-doing the outside of a boat, with bottom paint. Which is better Paint or Gelcoat. I want the bottom with out paint any longer and want it to look factory. It seems there are mixed reviews.

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 07-10-2003, 11:40 AM

IF I understand you correctly you now have a boat with bottom paint on it that you want to remove and either paint it with a glossy paint or possibly re gel coating the bottom. If that’s the question then I went through that tug of war may self about1 ½ ago. I ended up soda blasting the old bottom paint off the boat. Then had the bottom (only) re gel coated. I painted the sides and the inside of the boat with Sterling 2 part paint. The reason why I gel coated the bottom was (1) it will take a lot more abuse coming on and off my trailer (2) if I decide to keep her in the water for more that 2-3 weeks at a time gel coat will not be damaged by prolonged times in water where paint (if it is not bottom paint) will blister and get ruined (3) gel coat would be easier to repair if damaged. (4) Trayder told me to do it that way or I could never ever post another reply again (just kidding he re gel coated the whole boat) probably still sanding it bussing it and waxing it.
Fellow-Ship [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

BARNABY55 · #3 07-10-2003, 11:54 AM

I am leaning towards gel coating the entire outside based on my fiberglass guy's suggestion. His estimate is to sand and buff after application. I hope someone one day will let me help them do theirs. I am hungry for knowledge and would like to observe others or be their Go Fer while learning.