Found cracks in the hull... Help?!?! :(-gctid803438

[dockofthebay]

So I decided to paint the hull of my non bayliner boat. My fianc├® liked the idea of a solid color and the idea grew on me so I went with it. We decided just all white. I had started sanding it and got the main maroon stripe sanded for primer all the way around. I then started on the hull just below the stripe sanding when I uncovered what looks like a gouge that was about 8-10 inches long, half inch wide, at about a 20 degree angle up, that was filled in with fiberglass putty, sanded then sealed. It feels like the integrity of the hull is fine but I am no boating expert. Below are the photos. There are no boating repair businesses anywhere near me. Does anyone have any ideas?


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[Ruffryder]

what are you painting with?

Try inspecting it from the inside...

[dockofthebay]

I had decided to go with the roll and tip method since I am doing it myself. I have been doing a lot of homework and found that Kills exterior white water sealer primer works well so that is the first several coats to cover. Then I was going with White Marine Rustoleum paint all from Lowes. The inside is covered with base cabinetry in the bathroom. I need to find a small mirror to jocky a look inside to the hull. That's what I am going to try here in a bit.

[builderdude]

Hard to see the extent of the damage in your pics but it can be repaired. If your sure about painting, I think you should reconsider your choice of paint. I'd go with a catalyzed urethane car paint at a minimum.

My 2 cents

[dockofthebay]

So after about 2 hours of unscrewing cabinetry then pulling back the carpeting in the wall I found the bare interior fiberglass and I cant see any damage so maybe I was worrying about nothing.


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[Pcpete]

You spent two hours confirming the hull integrity. Good plan! You don't want that needling doubt when you are out on some less than flat water.

As to your choice of paint, I agree with builderdude. Go into your local auto body supply or marine store or, call a place like Fisheries Supply in Seattle and ask for the paint department and talk with them. Explain exactly how you plan to lay on the paint. Rolling and tipping takes a few coats before it gets really good in some cases. What you don't want is for your paint to not be robust enough to withstand your fenders rubbing on the hull in less than ideal conditions. Just me saying.

[dmcb]

I agree with the auto paint as a good choice. Not just cheap auto paint either. You want a hard paint.

I have painted a lot of things over the years. I question getting a good job with auto paint unless you are spraying.

As far as the cracks, if they are gelcoat cracks use primer to fill. Prime, wet sand with 360 or so grit paper. Re prime where necessary and sand until he cracks are gone. Don't allow a build up of primer except in the cracks. More is not better in thickness. Use a block when sanding, not just your hand.

I painted a friends boat about 10 years ago that had a lot of deep gelcoat cracks. To this day it looks like the day I painted it and he gets good comments often.

Be careful. You only get one shot at a good paint job. No paint is any better than what is under it. If you use the wrong paint or poorly apply it you will have to remove it all to get a good job. You want a good job with as little thickness as possible. You do not want a build up of paint. Keep in mind you will most likely have to repair dock rash at some point.

If there is any way to spray the paint, I urge you to do that. Get someone who has some experience to do it. If your boat is where it can be sprayed you may be able to get an auto body man to do a little moonlighting.

There is nothing like a good paint job. Also there is nothing like a poor one. Try not to cut corners here.

Doug

[dockofthebay]

O great brain trust..... Once again I am left asking for opinions since everyone around here thinks just do it and see how it turns out. Well now I have Kills water sealer primer on my boat half scraped off. Talked with a ship wright who said sand off a lil bit... if it chips or clumps you screwed up and need to repaint the whole thing. Yeah well it chipped and clumped....

I want to do this myself. So what do I need to do? sand and sand and sand and use auto primer then sand again and again and use white auto spray paint on top of that?

[builderdude]

Here's a place to start. https://youtu.be/X3XwvsorsYw

[builderdude]

This one is more of a DIY type using quality materials. https://youtu.be/Eh40uZ0EdFM

[Guest]

I wouldn't use products not designed for it - they won't hold up. Kilz is a great paint but belongs nowhere on a boat hull. Interlux Brightside is a good, economical choice and easy to use. It will roll and tip well, and it's modestly priced.

[dockofthebay]

Thank you every one for the very helpful comments. I just finished scraping the old paint off with a razor blade scraper and sanding with 220 to get rid of the very old clear coat. Now back to square one, I will figure out how to do this. These videos are awesome. Again thank you so much guys.

[dockofthebay]

So one of the comments ive been told is not to buy the el cheapo primer or paint. I bought sandable filler primer for that crack in the hull. Rustoleum filler/sandable primer. It was about $8 a can. So is that decent primer or not usable on fiberglass? If it will work I plan on using rustoleum primer for the whole hull. Then use rustoleum high gloss white for it after that.

[C-NUMB]

Have done plenty of fixing during the years and IMHO epoxy filler, epoxy primer and 2 Pack PU paint is way to go. This way you get long lasting results and also the finish might be very good. To get a good finish using polyester based gel or top coat on larger areas by hand applying is very hard, almost impossible(never tried a spray gun though). If painting outside, creating a shade to get less UV ray might be helpful, more working time to smooth the paint out. Good luck with the project!

[SKUA_28_Contessa]

I know Brightside is not their "premium" product, but 10 years ago I used it to paint my transom when I first got my boat. It held up fine to the sun and salt even with the reflected sun off the swimplatform. It tends to dry quickly, and cannot be futzed with once that starts. Been there done that. Currently only part of my boat with a shine LOL.

Still debating about whether go with brightside or perfection. luckily I still have plenty of time to decide.