Painting grp?

[TigaWave]

A friend wants to paint a small dinghy (she doesn't like the gel coat colour)
whats the cheapest easiest way to do it?? I'm sure someone out there has done this...Lakesailor maybe?
Thanks

 

[jwilson]

Mix together contents of all leftovers of Dulux/Brolac/B&Q gloss from your shed.

Wet and dry sand surface of dinghy.

Paint 2 coats, roller on and smooth with brush.

Admire nice strange browny colour....

Total cost 1 sheet of wet and dry paper and a few ounces of white spirit

 

[Guest]

Not cheapest - as other guys garage surplus mix is that ...

But I would go for a good two pack gloss ... such as Blakes or International. I would not use the undercoat as they advise unless its in summer and very warm - in winter and anything less than 20C ambient - it's thick and does not smooth out !! I know - I did my old Alacrity and regretted using the u/coat. Later a paint guy I was friendly with reckoned they never used the u/coats unless they sanded them literally away after application .. used themn as fine-filler !! So I would sand all over with fine wet & dry ... wipe off ... let dry and hit it with a couple of coats of 2 pack gloss.

There are if you want to save money - various exterior gloss paints in B&Q / DIY stores that would do it ... try to get 2 pack for its durability ...

 

[Talbot]

I used some B&Q exterior gloss on a reasonably hard wearing area, and reckon it lasted just as long as most (except the 2 pack) marine paints - and that was ontop of GRP. Admitedly it did not get used underwater.

 

[Grajan]

Two pack is great and should give you an excellent finish but you will be terribly disappointed when you scratch it or graunch it up against the slip Single pack gives you the flexibility to give it a quick rub down and touch up.
If changing colour use an undercoat / primer first to give a uniform base

 

[Boathook]

Agree that undercoat is not always needed. Had my hulls painted last winter and after filling and sanding the gel coat the yard applied 2 coats of alwgrip. Must admit that the colours were the same which helps. If painting light on to dark a light under coat may be required but it all depends.

 

[Slow_boat]

My white topsides were rubbed down and given two coats of Weathersheild gloss. It looks fine.

The white hull got rubbed down with electric sander and 240 grit, two coats of Weathersheild dark grey undercoat and two of Windsor blue, rubbed down between coats. Looks great!

Total sost to paint the whole 26 foot yacht, less than £100.

 

[TigaWave]

Thank you all,
I think she'll go for the weather shield option, sounds interesting I might try it on an old tatty Laser to tart it up for the winter series.