What paint to use in engine compartment?
 

I need to repaint my bilge and the flooring on either side of the motor. I'd like to use something that is one step instead of a two part deal. Is there anything that is good and durable and also adheres real good? I'd prefer to brush it on.

SpeedDoc? Anybody?

Thanks, Eric

I have a buddy of mine that painted his engine compartment with a high gloss rustoleum. It came out great and held up!
That's what I'm planning to use when I paint my engine compartment in the next few weeks.

Thanks Tom, that's a good idea. And probably cheaper than some Interlux or PPG stuff.
Eric

Checkmate, you could just lightly sand the engine compartment and gelcoat it. That is all that checkmate does, they use gelcoat that has "Wax" in it and brush it on. By using this type of gelcoat
you will not have have put air barrier on such as PVA so that the gelcoat will cure. I did the same thing with my checkmate when I redid the engine compartment. If I can find the pictures I will post them.

pic 1

pic 2

pic 3

Okay, i'm checking to see if this worked, and I don't know why the picture did'nt just come up, and when I try to down load it does'nt work for me. Is it working for anyone else and if it is what do I have to do?

Thanks Ron, Yes I see the pics. Although I don't know how you got them to come up like that.

I did'nt want to do any sanding. I still have all the wiring everywhere and 2 Kplane pumps and the drive trim pump and steering hardware. Yours looks great but I don't want to remove all my stuff like that.

Thanks, Eric

CheckmateF1, I think you will probably have to at least scuff up the surface with scotch brit or something, with any thing you use. You wouldn't want to go to all of the work and have it peel off a year down the road.
Nice work RonS, that looks great. Where do you get gelcoat like that. A buddy of mine was thinking of painting his because of the hassle of gel and pva. If he could just get gel and brush it on, that would awsome

I did that about six years ago, so I don't remembe off hand where I got it from, I'll find out for you but it may take a couple of days. One thing that I would suggest is if you do this use a flat gelcoat rather than a shiny gelcoat as it will look more factory, but thats just personal opinion.

CheckmateF1, Go to your local West Marine and buy a gallon of AWLGRIP, this paint sticks to anything.

Kaama, does the AWLgrip have a glossy finish? And is it easy to keep clean?
thanks, Eric

I used white rustoleum about a year ago. No problem with adhesion, but it appears to be yellowing just slightly down in the bilge (maybe it's staining). I would love to use brush on gel coat, but the work to remove the factory paint (and not rustoleum) scared the heck out of me. I doubt the gel could be applied over the paint....????

i have used the brushable awlgrip on my bilge and it looks great. great shine and easy to clean. very chemical resistant too. its almost as hard as gelcoat and very durable. my whole boat has awlgrip on it as the white base. the only time you have trouble is if you buff or sand it. it breaks the surface and acts porous like gelcoat after that.

What do you guys think about painting the engine compartment a light red? I have a red/white paint scheme on deck and would like something other than white in the engine bay. Howver I hear that dark colors absorb heat/warp the poly underneath. Opinions?