Need help here!
 

Just flew down to the factory to check progress. Neill was not able to meet me as planned. The boat was painted the night before. Here is the dilemma;

They followed my layout exactly. Something isn't right.
The blue is a little lighter than I hoped for but that is not it.

The "panel" at the rear above the cig logo which was left white is the first thing I did not like. It looked great on paper but in person it struck me wrong. Neill warned me that the Gladiator, having all rounded edges and no rub rail, may not lend well to a "classic" paint lay out. I think he was right.

Something dosen't flow here. Skip was there and he said let's do something now before all that finishing labor goes into it.

My first thought is to reduce all that stark white (in contrast to dark blue) I am thinking of keeping the blue as a background for the following scheme painted on top;

BTW the red gel bottom stays put.

PS substitute silver for the yellow which I don't like.

So there would be a blue background on the hulsides but as the red, silver and charcoal swept up top, white would be the background. The white "chine stripe" would be covered with either the navy blue or by extending the silver (yellow on Eliminator) from the bow to stern just at the level of the existing white stripe.

If I could operate a computer better I would photoshop the eliminator scheme over the blue/white hull and deck.

What do you think?

First of you are going to have an AWESOME boat!
Here is one REAL cheap thought.
Try masking below the waterline with tape and paper to get a better idea what the boat will look like in the water. To me, the red bottom kind of sticks out, but once that is in the water, the boat will look totally different.
I wouldn't give up on the "classic" look yet, it sounds like that is what you are really after, and it would be really cool if it could be done correctly.
Also, PM guys like Geographics, Mitcher T., glassdave, and anyone else that has artisitic abilities on this board d enlist their help. It probablywill not be free, but what is it worth to get it done the way you want it?
It's probably just the way all the color looks at this point.

Just my .02

Thanks for the tips.

I like the red bottom. what throws me is the lack of "edges". This paint on a TG is essentially a Playboy scheme. It works on a TG.

Possibly if I paint the last vertical panel blue the straight paint on round surface feel I get will be lessened.

As a reminder, I'll attach the original diagram.

So, I understand the "look" you are going for but what about installing red vents along that panel to break up the white a bit but still retain that "classic" look? If I understand this correctly, this is the panel just above the sheer line at the engine hatch?

Another good suggestion. I think it is that panel that you described that gives me a different feel than what I was interpreting on paper.

Breaking it up may just be the ticket.

Yeah, it is a killer ride - as is - no doubt!! But I think that a "splash" of color on that panel in the form of red vents would look tasteful and yet take away that "I think something is missing but I am not sure what it is" dilemma. Worse case, you can always change them back, it's a whole lot easier then getting the paint redone...:)

BTW ~ I am a fan of "old school" paint jobs, there are too many that subscribe to the more is better look. I think that at times you can have more and have it not be better, it's just more. The classic - albeit understated - paint looks AWESOME!! Best of luck with the boat, I am sure you'll get lot's of compliments on it!!


-Mark-

There are two choices as I see it.The first is to bring the blue higher so that it wraps itself over the edge where there is no rubrail.The second is to change the white near the vents to silver,again wrapping over slightly onto the deck.Two-tone retro designs can work but you must work with the Gladiators smooth line.

The issues you point out really address what it is that feels not quite right. I love the retro classic paint but it how it lays on the boat that "feels awkward"

Thanks for the great suggestions guys!

Here is my current boat; all blue with original stripe layout

I tried something for you in "paint" I'm not sure if this is what your looking for but it might give you a different perspective. BTW I am also a fan of the classic paint and it's refreshing to see it on a new boat. I think it's going to look great no matter what you decide to do.
Dave

The damn picture didn't post

there ya go

i think it looks great... no worries, very nice to see some old school coming back. id leave it. just my .02 dave

Don't panic !

I freaked when my Top Gun was just painted. Neil told me to wait and see it in the water. He was right. They look totally different out of the fluorescent lights, off the crappy trailer and in the ocean.

Neil and Gus won't do a ugly boat. Take their advice.

I think it looks great.

I can not see it. Can you PM it to me?

Thanks

Just a little too much blue w/o breaking it up.

My lame attempt

2112

I think I have to agree with the others that say "it looks GREAT, don't do to much, otherwise you may lose your intent. What a "clean" look ! I was at the factory just before the paint, wish I could have seen it finished. Please keep us posted.

I wish I could agree with everybody,but unfortunatey,I do not.We have a great paint job that could use a little fine tuning.The new owner of this boat has some doubts and has asked for our help.I hope that he resolves it so that he can be happy with his new boat.

PM

The most important things, design and build quality are excellent ( a big move up from prior boat) So I am happy.

When I penciled this out with Gus, it looked great on paper. Neil warned me that the Gladiator, with it smooth edges may not lend well to such a crisp simple paint scheme.

When I walked up to the boat, something struck me as not just right. I am reasonably sure it is the panel with the air intakes really being a "vertical panel" but being treated as a "horizontal panel" in the paint layout. This is what I believe I could not see in the computer layout.

This forum is loaded with creative thinkers and some of them are talented on the computer as well. Thanks PM for stirring the ingredients but rest assured, I will be happy,

BTW. I like what many have suggested.

I say leave it as is, it looks sharp as hell and it won't be out of style once the "Walt Disney threw up on my boat" fad has run its course.

I totally agree.....the boat looks great and will look even better once it is off that trailer and in the water......The blue does look a little lighter than the drawing...but I still think it looks fantastic.....Good luck...Rich

Hey I have a trademark on that saying you RedWing fan you!

leave it, it looks good.. i myself cant wait till all this over painting is over with. the classics never die.. your making a bold statement, stick with it. dave

what about possibly changing the black fairing to white to match the panel in the back? in my opinion the black fairing takes too much away from the original smooth lines of the boat. IMO, the paint, as well as the lines would flow much better.

chad

my .02

Put a "1" on front and be done, looks great

Randy

Is that another boat right behind yours? Are there any other pictures where we can get a true grasp on the lines of your paint scheme (ie, other boat gone)? I think yours looks awsome, just change the vents to blue....

some other shots

in the above pic, note how straight the paint line was taped!

One last pic for now, Just shows the panel I think needs to be blue with the air intakes silver.