painted fibreglass

JeffN

JeffN

Active member
Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
RO Number
3672
Messages
1,369
Looking at an old Formula(yes, still) that's been professionally painted maybe 5-7 years ago on the colored part of the hull(not topsides). How does an Imron or Interlux paint usually hold up? It seems a tad faded or dull and maybe will respond to buffing? My take on painted hulls is that they were beyond resurrection on old, neglected hulls.
 
That says something but I imagine the newer paints are amazing compared to paints of 10+ years ago. And planes are painted as well so I should not be so concerned.
 
Formulas Graphics are painted from the factory on newer boats and a lot of older boats. I wouldn't worry, the paint probably looks a lot better than whats underneath. There is a 1974 Chris Craft in my marina that was repainted with Imron in 96 and still looks new. Hatteras' were all painted from the factory even 20-30 years ago.
 
IMO paint is better than gel coat. If it wasn’t so expensive mine would have been painted by now.
 
I'll take Awlgrip over gel coat any day, gel coat finish is just being cheap on part of the builder. Ones painted all it takes to clean the boat is a little soap and water. And non skid that is painted with Awlgrip does not get hot in the summer!

Cor
 
one problem with painted boats up north is that they are difficult to shrinkwrap in winter, Can't get that stuff anywhere near a painted surface.
 
Saying Interlux is ambiguous. Brightsides will hold up for a few years, their two part poly will hold up longer.

If you paint and are willing to invest the time and energy, I'd happily have a two-part poly job. Done right it looks better than gel and maintains well too.

The downside is cost.
 
Another + to moving to FL then Greg-only shrinkage I need be concerned with is if the pool heater runs out of gas.

A photo:

1024h.jpg


1024e.jpg
 
nothing wrong with good paint like awlgrip or imron. Hatteras has always awlgriped their hulls, not jsut the new ones and i've seen original 30 year old paint being buffed to a very good shine.

the key is quality paint, like Awlgrip.
 
Clean it really well and put some Awlgrip polish on it and away you go...
 
The modern two part paints, Imron (even the old stuff for that matter), Awlgrip, Alexseal, Interlux, et al last a long long time with proper care. They can be buffed, but not as aggressively as gelcoat nor do they need to be. A light glazing material like 3M Finesse-it II is usually all that is required, if anything, followed up by a sealer/polish like Rejex (my favorite), or ProPolish, AwlCare, Starbrite PTEF, etc.(No wax!). It's the only way to go in my opinion. Once you have the above in place, you just wash with water or a very very mild soap (something like AwlWash) and water solution. The paint manufacturers have their suggestions on line in most cases.

George
Hatteras 56MY (Imron and Awlgrip)
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
 
I've used Interlux 20+ years with excellent results, especially 2 years ago: I went with their new higloss system; one part; the boat shines like new. In the early days, I used my compressor and gun--too difficult to control unless you are in a confined area; a 3 mile per hour wind causes too many problems. Now I buy a dozen 4" brushes, use them once and throw them away. The system, when done according to Interlux, leaves NO brush marks. BTW In Amsterdam, megayachts are brushed.
 
Amazing information. My dad painted an old car about 70 years ago but with dissimilar results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top