I bought a boat from Florida and it was nice and chalky, I wet sanded the top of the boat and started to see where the gel coat was thin to the point it started to get darker. So I lightly finished the wet sand to just to remove the chalk from my boat. I went on to wax it and it just didn't have the luster I was hoping for.

I have been thinking just wrap the top, but for 3k, I figured I could just paint it.
What are the pros and cons to using automotive paint vs gel coat?
I'm just trying to restore it/clean it up. I love my boat and would like it to be just nice and shiney again.
If painting is recommended what brand and type of paint is best?
I know for sure I need to sand my transom and repaint it. I had the transom replaced as the wood was rotten, and I used KAYCO composite instead. There was some runs from the exhaust holes on the back, ooops. So I need to sand it and paint it. what ever I use, I want to match the top.

Gel coat would be the most durable and serviceable, but also the most labor intensive. Anybody else find it just slightly ironic that his name is "Dutchboy" and he is asking about paint ?? lol

Its a Velocity 260, just want it nice and clean looking like it did when it was newer

LoL, I like the way the gel coat looks, just didn't know if painting it would look the same. I prefer the Gel-coat, but my pocket book however prolly cant afford it

call velocity and get the color name / number and manufacturer, that's half your battle
take some good deck pictures, looking front back and from sides, post them here and ask for a realistic number

both options have to have hardware removed, get sanded, the whole boat and trailer need to be masked,
material shot, sanded and buffed, and hardware re installed.

Next time I'm with the boat, I'm going to pressure wash it and Ill snap some photos.

Dutchboy asking about paint....That's priceless. Made me spit up my coffee. I still remember the commercials. Good luck with the boat