Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

Okay guys, I'm ready to paint my bilge and am wondering if it should be all white or include some splatter paint that matches the color scheme, purple and silver/gray?

What do you think? :confused:

Thanks for the input!

Jeff

All white...To me splatter is dated.Plus with a white bilge,it's easier to find things when you drop them..
my.02

I always though the splatter paint was a cheap way to cover sloppy work. Plain white for me.

I prefer white, or matching the color of the boat.

Like Cord said,,, anything else looks like its covering something up,, also get "busy" looking.

Just my opinion though,,, if you like it, go for it !!!!!!!!

I voted white but I like a light grey. I think that it hides dirt a little so you do not always feel the need to get down in the bildge and it is still light enough to look good.

Jon

Mines all gray with gray Vinyl Diamond plate looks cool
and doesnt need polishing.

I just finished my Sonic and did it a little differently. Both sides, the setback and transom are snow white but the bilge floor & stringers are medium grey BilgeKote ( West Marine). Looks very bright now, but does not show the slightest bit of "stuff" like white would on the floor. I did however, for a little color, paint my motor mount brackets to match part of the boat color scheme. I also though of the "spatter" effect, but changed my mind.
:) If the floor is white, you will constantly be trying to clean it or repaint a stain. Not so with the medium grey. If a lighter grey is needed just add white to it.

Silver flake over gloss black with an airbrushed mural of a naked Cher holding a bloody broadsword high above her head.

You'll be my hero.

I personally don't like the "splatter" paint effect---it's too messy looking for me. With the "splatter" paint finish it's also hard to see if you have any oil/hydraulic leaks---especially WHERE they are coming from as well! I also agree with what Boatnut said about splatter paint making it difficult trying to find something that fell into the bilge area. I'll take a white solid color any day. Just my .02

Collins - Now there's an idea I hadn't considered... :eek: :eek: :D :D :D

So far it looks like white is the way to go, but a light gray in the bottom sounds like a smart idea.

Thanks!

smart is for pu$$ies.

go for the HERO.

mine has the grey stone splatter around the sides but the bottom of the bildge is all white. The smoth surface also seems to clean up easier.

I vote for Cher....or maybe Britney:D

I have always belived that CLEAN IS MEAN:hothead: I mean if its a stocker then splatter would look good. It would spiffen up the presentation (A stock common motor). It you have something you keep clean and is different and definitley not stock:D then I belive you want a clean compartment that in no way makes you look away from what it is you are presenting YOUR MOTOR! The ability to clean it and keep clean then is the pressing issue..If you spit and polish your motor like most of us then the ability to clean and not show the little stuff becomes a time saver. I like Audio and Top's choices. Mine is medium gray with diamond plate on both sides of the motor. But Cher would do in a pinch:crazy:

I am at the same point as Jeff... ready to paint bilge. Was going to do white, but would like to see what the grey looks like. Anyone have any pictures with the bilge done in light grey? I went to 2 places to get the interlux bilge kote white, and all they carried was grey, so I am still open.

BT :cool:

West Marine & Interlux quit making or handling the light grey bilgekote. They do have the medium grey (also the white is in the catalogue & they will order it for you. You want the store to order it as it is a "hazardous material" & the store eats the cost there. Just mix the white in the grey 'til you get the color you want..... it's the only way. For the side walls you can use Rustoleum enamel. After it hardens, it is resistant to petroleum products, just not as good as the bilgekote stuff.

I vote for a solid color, prefably light like white or gray. I think it gives a cleaner look.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll post some pics afteer I'm done. BTW - Don't wait up, this is going to take a while...:rolleyes:

Jeff

A CA engine builder showed me the engine compartment on his new 30' Hallett. All gel coated and it looked sweet! A 4K up charge but if you really want to show- off your product what a way to go. After seeing that any paint just don't cut it.

TOPDJ - Where did you get the vinyl diamond plate?

white air dry gel coat with a touch of Gray so it's got a light tint.
i think it's more durable than paint.

Spatter paint is cheap looking. Save that stuff for the chopper boats.

Bilge
 

Mine was a battleship grey.. I just painted it white OMG what a difference ..brighter and cleaner looking ..Ive got outboards so cleanliness shouldn't be a problem .. Dont waste your money on bilgekote $25 a quart.. I paid $10 for a half gallon of rustoleum..
Now I can start rigging it if it stops snowing

splatter paint
 

My eliminator came with the splattered engine compartment. If the occassion ever comes that I have to pull both engines you can bet that when they go back in the compartment will be all white..Splatter just makes it look messy in my oppinion, why polish everything when the compartment looks like someone spilled paint in it? just my .02 worth.:D :D

eliminator219

Thanks for all the responses! I went solid white, added some treadplate caps on the stringers, and rewired from the dash back. Motors just went back in last night so I'll post some pictures shortly.

Jeff :)

I went with interlux bilgekote white. Really happy with the result. :) :)

BT :cool:

I prefer the solid white... when you are laying on your side looking for a nut... nothing beats bright white. Splatter is a left over from Jackson Pollock... way dated... didn't Pollock die in '48? Splatter was invented to hide the lines of chopper gun construction. Solid paint on chopper glass build up looks horrible. Gel coat is too porous for my liking... White bilge paint... !

Re: Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

I guess i'm behind the times,i had engine compt painted gloss black w/splatters of the same colors as my stripes on boat,looks good to me and if anything spills (like OIL) it doesn't stain.We are 5-10 years behind the times up here in the north!

Re: Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

I like the smooth gel finish.

Re: Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

Call me "dated". While I had my engine out for rebuilding over the winter, I re-painted my bilge in bright white and went back and splattered purple, yellow and black (matched graphics) paint from top to bottom, side to side. I painted my engine and accessories purple too. I`ve got a few polished items and some purple anodized things.
I`ve received nothing but compliments on the appearance of my engine/bilge.

Re: Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

solid white

Re: Bilge - Splatter Paint or Not?
 

I prefer White.....but to each his own!! Send us a pic of what you do chose!! :p