Respraying whole deck... outside?

Willbe84

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Hi

I am considering respraying my 32 sailing boat deck and was very upset when I found out what my options are. Respraying professionally would cost approximately 6,000 euros when including all the lifting, mast dismounting, labour and material costs. It's not much of an option for me

My friend (a boatbuilder) offered to fly over for 2 months and help out. We're considering stripping the deck, sanding and respraying while the boat is still in the sea.

We understand that it is going to be somewhat uncomfortable, especially since we will need to sail out of the harbour and anchor (not to bother anyone with sound and fill them up with toxic dust). We'll run the whole operation off a rented generator.

When we motor the sanded boat back into harbour we plan to cover the boat with canvas overnight to keep it dry, and motor out again the next day to start respraying.

I know it sounds crazy...how viable do you think it is? assuming it's good weather.
 
If you're anchoring, then you'll have a chain across the foredeck and saltwater splashing about. Weighing anchor will involve walking on your still soft paint and handling salty/muddy/sandy anchor and chain across it. It's probably possible, but I suspect you'd have to day the spraying on two days. one of which you'll be anchored by the stern.

Sorry I didn't note where you are planning to do this, but you'll need a weather window that minimises the problems for several days - but then you'll need that for best results anyway.

Rob.
 
If you're anchoring, then you'll have a chain across the foredeck and saltwater splashing about. Weighing anchor will involve walking on your still soft paint and handling salty/muddy/sandy anchor and chain across it. It's probably possible, but I suspect you'd have to day the spraying on two days. one of which you'll be anchored by the stern.

Sorry I didn't note where you are planning to do this, but you'll need a weather window that minimises the problems for several days - but then you'll need that for best results anyway.

Rob.


Thanks for the answer Rob, the location is Malta - a place with good weather and expensive fees! I am still trying to put it on land for the job if I find a place I can work on it. I asked the question to see if it is in fact possible, thanks for the suggestion
 
Painting deck

Why spray/ I had reasonable success brushing 2 pack polyurethane paint on deck. deck is generally quite cluttered such that there are no large flat areas for brush marks to show up. It is of course so much easier.
You do need temps close to 20 degrees and buy a "fast" hardener.
You will also need of course some form of non skid. I used International non skid granules.
good luck olewill
 
Rather you than me on this project but good luck anyway.

If you are spaying a 2 pack poly you speed up surface drying time by spraying a mist coat first, then a half coat and a final full coat.

The first coat will form a dry surface in minutes, the second coat will ready to apply by the time you finished mixing the next batch, leaving only the full coat to apply.

I would advise a primer coat first to ensure there is no contamination that will cause pin holes, this could be applied with a foam brush in the marina, dries overnight and ready for sanding and touch up in the morning.

Good luck and fair winds.

PS I always use a local panel beater to spray boats for me, I just have everything set up ready to spray, he arrives, connects his equipment to the compressor and is gone no more than an hour later. very cheap and a very good finish.

.
 
yep go for it did mine 5 years back
dont try to do the whole deck in one hit i did mine in 4 parts i used a small air compressor
thined paint down with 10 % thinners and was tuch dry in 4 hours
rain prof in 12 hours
i found the hardest part was getting the best line to spray you might need to stand in the dingy and paint from there,
 
You say you are in Malta. Well sail to North Cyprus-Karpaz Gate Marina. We had all the non-slip and Shiny gelcoat done on our Cat. It was NOT expensive compared with what you have quoted. It is done in the marina in the water.

Peter
 
For non slip to add to paint i found the granules useless
I found the best way is to nick the wife's flour sieve & apply a layer of fine dry sand. You need to apply over the last but one coat of paint
Practice sprinkling it on a piece of ply first to get an idea of how to do evenly & decide how much you want
If you cannot get clean dry sand then get kiln dried block paving sand from the builders merchant although this is a bit coarse
I used bird sand which is much finer- but make sure it is new, if you take it out of the cage you will have pre applied seagull c--p
 
Hi

I am considering respraying my 32 sailing boat deck and was very upset when I found out what my options are. Respraying professionally would cost approximately 6,000 euros when including all the lifting, mast dismounting, labour and material costs. It's not much of an option for me

My friend (a boatbuilder) offered to fly over for 2 months and help out. We're considering stripping the deck, sanding and respraying while the boat is still in the sea.

We understand that it is going to be somewhat uncomfortable, especially since we will need to sail out of the harbour and anchor (not to bother anyone with sound and fill them up with toxic dust). We'll run the whole operation off a rented generator.

When we motor the sanded boat back into harbour we plan to cover the boat with canvas overnight to keep it dry, and motor out again the next day to start respraying.

I know it sounds crazy...how viable do you think it is? assuming it's good weather.

Why paint it?

Have you tried a machine and cutting compound on it first?
 
I cant' believe nobody has mentioned the environmental impact of sanding and spraying a boat at sea????? all to save a boat yard from toxic dust :(
 
Sand it yes, but why spray it???
Surely painting it would be far the better option with a foam brush, & will stop brush marks and can be done yourself with the least amount of fuss.
Some sort of non-slip will be needed too..
 
A big challenge. Not impossible but you are taking on a massive opportunity to screw up. Rig up a polythene deck tent at least.

Not sure where you are but I'd be unimpressed if I pitched up in an anchorage with glass sanding dust and overspray paint everywhere!
 
I wouldn't contemplate spraying :eek: but painting with roller and brush for the more intricate areas would be practically viable. You wouldn't need to strip everything off mast, stanchions etc but the more preparation you do the better.

Two of my boats have had the decks hand painted and you have to look closely to see the brush marks, just take your time and maybe practice on something first, always takes a few strokes to get your eye/hand in and for the roller or brush to get properly bedded in (can't think of a better way of putting it)!

It is a last resort though and can ruin a boat if done badly, you may wish you had your old chalky surface back if it starts to craze or peel. Definitely try and match the previous colour as much as you can as you will inevitably get a few knocks and chips revealing the original surface underneath. Good luck, it can be done, I'll try and dig up a picture even though they always look better in pictures.

Two tone, I wouldn't fancy masking it and painting it again (that's another consideration) but this was about tem years old and still good with a few touch ups.

IMG_2429.jpg


I thought it was just the darker patches that were painted it took me a while before i realised he had done the lighter areas also. I am better with a roller but some people can do wonders with a brush and light touch flattening it out as you go. The darker patches had kids fine play sand (can be bought in 10KG bags) mixed into the paint.

DSCF0998.jpg
 
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