automotive paint on boats

mashedcat · Post by **mashedcat** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:24 pm

At a seminar on epoxies, the presenter mentioned that automotive paints have improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years while marine paints have stayed just about the same. His point was that it makes sense to use automotive paints on boats simply because they hold up so well. You can oilcan a painted surface on a car, and it will pop back out and the paint won't chip or buckle. I'm no painter by a long shot, so when I do paint, I would wish for the best possible longevity and appearance. Any thoughts?

Post by **dasein668** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:39 am

I've opined elsewhere on this forum that automotive paints are probably suitable for boat use. But I don't have any practical experience.

It would certainly open a whole world of new color options!

I say give it a shot. What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't hold up and you have to sand it back off and reapply a different paint a few years down the road.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:54 am

dasein668 wrote:I say give it a shot. What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't hold up and you have to sand it back off and reapply a different paint a few years down the road.

Which is basically what you have to do regardless of which paint you use (+/- a couple years).

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:58 pm

Tim M. bought Ariel #24 whose topsides had been painted many years ago by the previous owner. I've been pestering him for pics and info on how it's holding up. Looks pretty good to me!

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:40 am

I had been painting the boats I build witha 2 part polyurethane from a local company ( 30 a gallon made it quite attractive). That company closed when the owner got ill.

I've since been using an automotive acrylic ( 2 part also) It sprays quite well, covers well and has a beautiful gloss. Costs a bit more than the old stuff, but I really like it. The company will mix to any color I give them to match, at a very small additional charge. So my customers are free to really pick what ever color they choose.

I've only done one boat with it so far but that was a year ago and it's in beautiful condition so far. Way to early to comment on longevity but I'll continue using it.

Tim Mertinooke · Post by **Tim Mertinooke** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:13 pm

OK Mike you've guilted me into a response! The finish is old, more than ten years anyway. The paint has started to bubble in a few areas, and has chipped off in others. There are worn spots around edges, especially in the transom. All in all I'd say it's held up well considering. THe picture in Mike's post was taken by me before the boat was washed and since washing the shine has increased substantially. I'd say it's a 20 foot paint job. Good enough for me for the next couple seasons anyway as I put my energies elsewhere in the boat. If only it wasn't yellow. The bad news if one can view this as bad is that I have a brand new dodger that came with the boat stillin the package and it's yellow. This will make things interesting when I do decide to paint the topsides a different color. Can one change the color of sunbrella?

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:00 pm

Tim Mertinooke wrote:OK Mike you've guilted me into a response!

Sheesh! It took long enough! Yellow would not have been my first choice either, but I must say, that "Cadillac" yellow looks much better than I'd have thought. Hmmm... yellow dodger?? Wow. You'll turn heads, that's for sure. :)

Tim Mertinooke · Post by **Tim Mertinooke** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:12 pm

MikeD wrote: Hmmm... yellow dodger?? Wow. You'll turn heads, that's for sure. :)

Sensitive area...tread lightly :)

Post by **Tim** » Fri May 18, 2007 6:19 am

You know, yellow is an under-used color on boats.

(Inside joke...repeated for the benefit of those who know.)

Tim Mertinooke wrote:Can one change the color of sunbrella?

Sure thing. It's as simple as a call to your local canvas shop. ;<)