Paint or gel coat for an old 420 dinghy

[report34@gmail.com]

Hej
I got an old 420 sailing dinghy. I’ve slowly been rubbing down the old gel coat,because it was in such bad condition. Now I’m close to having it ready to paint or gel coat,but I’m not sure what would be the best one for my boat and which would be the easiest to apply.
I thought it would be better just to paint it,But I’m worried that the paint will split or crack,because of the flexibility in the old fibreglass boat. Especially where I sit on the buoyancy tanks that run along the side.
It would be great for some advice on what would be best to do and any other information on a 420
Graham

 

[Neeves]

I've just completed a, very, very old fibreglass canoe. If you are to use the 420, which is what imply, I would do it properly. You will regret using 'paint'.

I stripped of all the old, navy blue paint, which looked really tatty (because it scratches too easily, it did not bond to the yellow gelcoat underneath - and is the wrong colour). I repaired where necessary and faired it down. I've just finished re-painting. I did the top and bottom, same colour but separately. I'm toying with applying a contrasting line where top meets bottom.

But using a decent 2 pack epoxy is expensive so you need to decide if she is worth it (again will you use it) - its a lot of work and a lot of money. Slapping on a couple of coats of gloss paint is quick and cheap - and that might be the deciding issue.

It was easier for me than you (though I don't know where you are) but its summer here and the biggest issue was the speed with which the epoxy set off.

I already have a kayak which has been commandeered by my wife (since the acquisition of the dilapidated but free, canoe). I had used the kayak as a tender (and as part of my revolt against gym membership) and we will be using the kayak and canoe to transit to our cat - together - romance is not dead - using the dinghy when we are load carrying (or when we need transfer someone unwilling to use a kayak/canoe.

Jonathan

 

[langstonelayabout]

LOL - this reminded me of sailing a friend's old, blue painted, Wayfarer years ago.

The deck was originally yellow gelcoat, but had been painted dark blue as the deck was tatty with age. Then the blue paint had aged too.

The result? A very blue pair of white sailing shorts. Took ages to wash out.

For the sake of your boat, prepare the surface really well and then use 2-pack paint. Your decks and backside deserve their own colour schemes, distinct from each other.

 

[VicS]

Hej
I got an old 420 sailing dinghy. I’ve slowly been rubbing down the old gel coat,because it was in such bad condition. Now I’m close to having it ready to paint or gel coat,but I’m not sure what would be the best one for my boat and which would be the easiest to apply.
I thought it would be better just to paint it,But I’m worried that the paint will split or crack,because of the flexibility in the old fibreglass boat. Especially where I sit on the buoyancy tanks that run along the side.
It would be great for some advice on what would be best to do and any other information on a 420
Graham

I'd consider a two pack polyurethane such as International Perfection http://www.yachtpaint.com/gbr/diy/products/finishes/perfection.aspx

However due to porosity increasing the risk of solvent or moisture entrapment and subsequent blistering aged and weathered GRP should be sealed with 3 coats of Interprotect epoxy primer and one coat of Perfection undercoat before top coating with Perfection. http://www.yachtpaint.com/MPYACMDatasheets/Perfection+eng+A4+Y+20180522.pdf

This makes a big job of it but should give the best and long lasting results. The alternative, for ease and simplicity is a single pack alkyd resin such as International Toplac. .... Your choice!

 

[lw395]

I've had good results with Toplac, years ago.

But only do that if either you really seriously want to change the colour or the hull is full of repairs.
Otherwise, sand, fill, sand polish the old gelcoat.
Where you sit on the tanks, covering the mess with 'progrip' non-slip sheets might be best.
It's an old 420, a notoriously flexible boat.
An alternative might be acryllic aerosol paint. I did a rudder blade and board with cans from Aldi or Lidl, as they were more filler than original. It's lasted well, no sign of peeling. No primer just straight on to 400 grade wet sanded. I think it's important to get things really dry, like warm shed with dehumidifier, before any recoating.
For a hull I'd want it baked as long as possible.

 

[report34@gmail.com]

Hej ! Thank you all for you advice. Seems like I should go for 2-pack paint job. I’ve heard this is better than a single paint,especially for water proofing of the fibreglass. No one has mentioned gel coat really so I guess this because of it being a lot of work?
Also like the idea of non-slip sheets of some kind,where I’m going to sit.
First time on here,so I’m not sure if you can put or how to put pictures up of the boat,but I’m sure you can
Thanks again for your help!
By the way,I live in Sweden,but the boat is inside a warm garage

 

[gjgm]

Hej ! Thank you all for you advice. Seems like I should go for 2-pack paint job. I’ve heard this is better than a single paint,especially for water proofing of the fibreglass. No one has mentioned gel coat really so I guess this because of it being a lot of work?
Also like the idea of non-slip sheets of some kind,where I’m going to sit.
First time on here,so I’m not sure if you can put or how to put pictures up of the boat,but I’m sure you can
Thanks again for your help!
By the way,I live in Sweden,but the boat is inside a warm garage

Re Gel
Normally when the hull is formed, gel is sprayed into the mould first and then fibreglass built up inside/on top of the gel (crudely speaking). While it is practical and quite cheap and easy to repair smaller areas of gel from the "outside", it is a very specialist job I understand to re-gel larger areas, such as a hull. Very specialist and very expensive.
Probably not appropriate in your case, but just to mention -a newer option is to get the hull vinyl wrapped, though this is not likely to be DIY and not actually that cheap. That has its + and - , too. Still, you have limitless design possibilities!!
2 coat is probably the logical choice!