Applying paint to Gel coat?

[Jonny2018]

Gel coat on a 20 year old boat is getting dull, faded and scratched, I've tried polishing it and have not had much luck.
I wondered if I can apply marine fibreglass paint to the gel coat, I plan to flatten the gel coat use an undercoat then roll on the paint finishing with a clear coat? Is this ok or am I being silly? I'm used too painting cars but never a gel coat. If not can you recommend a product/polish which will bring back the shine?
Thanks

 

[Tradewinds]

Start here maybe? - video's a bit US centric but the products are available in the UK* and Andy really knows his stuff.

*(https://www.marineindustrial.co.uk/Catalogue/Paints-Coatings/ALEXSEAL).

 

[Momac]

The only brand I have heard of is Awlgrip.

 

[jrudge]

I am not a wrap fan but it is economic on an older boat

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Alexseal has better review to Awlgrip. But saying all this in Europe everyone likes to go for Dupont considered a better product and more cost effective.

Speaking with local yards the problem with Awlgrip is the repair bit, as its very difficult to get the deep shine it has again. That is why Alexseal and Dupont get better reviews.

 

[crossy]

I had awlcraft2000 applied and 3 years on still looks like new. It is the fully repairable alternative to standard awlcraft and I have had a few scratches repaired seemlessly.

Desty marine did mine at Hamble point.

 

[petem]

Gel coat on a 20 year old boat is getting dull, faded and scratched, I've tried polishing it and have not had much luck.
I wondered if I can apply marine fibreglass paint to the gel coat, I plan to flatten the gel coat use an undercoat then roll on the paint finishing with a clear coat? Is this ok or am I being silly? I'm used too painting cars but never a gel coat. If not can you recommend a product/polish which will bring back the shine?
Thanks

Have you tried cutting the existing gelcoat back with wet and dry, cutting compounds etc? Painting would be a last resort for me.

 

[piratos]

Gel coat on a 20 year old boat is getting dull, faded and scratched, I've tried polishing it and have not had much luck.
I wondered if I can apply marine fibreglass paint to the gel coat, I plan to flatten the gel coat use an undercoat then roll on the paint finishing with a clear coat? Is this ok or am I being silly? I'm used too painting cars but never a gel coat. If not can you recommend a product/polish which will bring back the shine?
Thanks

you will get answers from people who never did it

I have done it - using a one-part paint from International (Top-Lack).
Two-Part is stronger, but not as easy to work with as one part paint.
Scratches can easily be repainted with one part which is obviously an advantage over two-part paint.
Painted hulls do not need regular polish as gelcoat - but expect to repaint one-part paint every 5 years. Two part paints should last longer (No personal experience)
First time hull is painted it needs to be faired, and 3 to 5 times primer followed with at least two times finish paint.
Repainting after 5 years with one part paint (if no scratches) just good wash (cleaner) and paint.

 

[Poignard]

.... If not can you recommend a product/polish which will bring back the shine?
Thanks

Zep.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/zep-comm...VB5zVCh2ilgaZEAQYASABEgJvr_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

My grp hull is more than 52 years old and this stuff has achieved a remarkable transformation.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Zep.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/zep-comm...VB5zVCh2ilgaZEAQYASABEgJvr_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

My grp hull is more than 52 years old and this stuff has achieved a remarkable transformation.

Interesting, how did you go about using it?

 

[Poignard]

I clean the hull with soapy water and oxalic acid.
Rinse off
Apply the Zep thinly with a microfibre floor mop (this allows me to do it from ground level). Very little is required. I have some in a squeezy bottle and just keep the mop head moistened with it.
It dries very quickly.
After 3 or 4 coats you start to see the result. You don't have to polish. I think it is some kind of lacquer.

The big advantage of it for me is that the yellow brown stains that used to disfigure my topside for several inches above the waterline are now almost eliminated.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[Scotsailor]

So I have a sailing boat. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32. But had a similar situation in that the hull was painted in the factory I think. Definitely before launching. In Awlgrip. When I bought the boat the paint looked dull. I had quotes to repaint in Awlgrip and it was a lot … basically I decided to have a go myself first. I used International Perfection which is a two pack paint and can be touched up relatively easily. It all worked out well for me. I did this in 2014 in the boatyard. My girlfriend athe time asked me if I had bought a £40k Range Rover would I repaint it with a brush and I’m a car park? Which was fair comment. But honestly it worked ok for me. And it’s still shiny 5 years on. I’ve touched up a couple of spots without any problem. From a dinghy actually

 

[BruceK]

Alexseal has better review to Awlgrip. But saying all this in Europe everyone likes to go for Dupont considered a better product and more cost effective.

Speaking with local yards the problem with Awlgrip is the repair bit, as its very difficult to get the deep shine it has again. That is why Alexseal and Dupont get better reviews.

Dupont Imron :encouragement: Formula paint all their boats with it and get some remarkable finishes. Mine lasted 23 years before needing a touch up.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Have you tried cutting the existing gelcoat back with wet and dry, cutting compounds etc? Painting would be a last resort for me.

100% agree

 

[Marine Reflections]

The gel coat would be enough, you just need the techniques to sand it down to expose fresh gel and then polish it up.
Soooo much easier to work with existing gel, with original final results.