I'm an experienced painter, have done loads of construction related equipment, trailers, ect.... mostly with enamels, and some base/ clear.

Ive decided to tackle the job of painting my new project boat, having zero experience with fiberglass I am looking for some suggestions.

How far down do I need to sand the origonal gellcoat before priming the hull?

how smooth does the hull need to be before priming...what grit do I finish with?

what kind of primer will I be needing..Brand?..Series??..ect.?

does primer need sanded before shooting the paint??

what kind of paint to use? is Automotive base/clear ok? or do I need something different?? Imron?...ect?

this boat will not be sitting in the water for any lenght of time maybe for a weekend at a time max.

see glassdaves thread on "boat painting 101" int he fiberglass/paint section.. or call him

Just spray paint it!!!!!!!!

Yup you have to weed through a lot of BS but there is a ton of good info in there.

Jon

Thrill,

What would it run to paint a dual axle boat trailer? The trailer is mostly in good shape, but has some rust on the springs/shackles and on the fenders. I'd assume it would have to be taken apart, each piece sandblasted or stripped, then repainted?

Dock,

You'll end up doing more to it than that. I started like you, just need it blasted and painted, I'm now $3500 into the trailer! LOL.

It never ends, eh? And I'm still planning on selling the boat... but I'll keep working on projects while I'm doing that. Know anyone, even a Canadian, that would like a twin 29 footer in good shape, with lots of amenities for the ladies. Or should I talk to Melly Jo about that....

Hey now, why don't you get that dash all redone, trailer prettied up, new chartplotter and a couple of huffers for those mills and then we can talk.

You sure you want huffers on a pair of 330 hp, cast-internals 454's? Man, I knew you Canucks were a little strange...

Oh, forgot they were 330's .... KABOOM!