paint my gelcoated hull

[Mathieu]

Hi,

I'm about painting my Bittburger cat and I'm wondering hat sort of primer should I use. A normal one or one for fiber/gelcoated parts ? Does it exist ?

I guess there is no "normal" and "for gelcoat" primers but I want to be sure.

Thanks.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Of course...if you want the best job (The bitt is worth it) then go pick some colors and let the autobody shop shoot it...dust free booths and probably will not cost that much if the hull is prepped and ready to shoot....this is if you want a paint job second to NONE!

I think I would use the auto can spray. I really think it will be better on glass and I just don't think the krylon is as good as a good auto paint.

Should wet sand down with a 400 then 600 paper for the glass...at least that is what most do on glass at the paint shops. Make sure the gel coat is sanded well and has no shine to it.

Most major auto stores carry an auto paint for touching up and is in spray cans with great sprayer heads on them.

Can't wait to see it.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Sorry...I was thinking paint....any primer that is the same as the paint...most auto primers will take anything---get the sandable sealer primer...it can take some of the crap out of the body---if there is any.

Dark primer (rust or grey) for dark colors (rust is best for dark colors)

White primer for light colors.

[Mathieu]

Thanks Jeff.

I went into my local auto store, and I took 4 auto can sprays...

3 colors and a clear coat, in order to paint the boat like an Italian Flag. 1 sponson green, the other red and the tunnel white... plus some stickers.

I choose to go without primer...

[Otis]

Before you shoot the hull with paint, check it over VERY carefully for voids or bubbles. The qualities of gelcoats vary, and without a primer, you won't have any opportunity to fill any minor blemishes.

The BEST time to find blemishes is when you're sanding out the first coat of primer. The worst time is after you finish shooting the clearcoat. :)