Custom Paint

I've got an opportunity to get my hobie 16 repainted. A good friend of mine went to bodyshop school and has done a number of paint jobs on auto and boat's. I mentioned to him that I just got my Hobie and he suggested we do a paint job on it.

So what should I do? I've got a few ideas:
1) Airforce grey with shark teeth (another friend suggested that one)
2) All black hulls with a black tramp and white sails
3) Tropical colors, such as a two tone blue and white (or some other combination).

What have you guys done in the past, and what would you do if you could do anything you want? Pictures are always appreciated!

One other question, what kind of costs should I expect on paint, etc? Thanks guys!

Don't do black hulls, the temp inside the hulls will get excessive. Generally paint doesn't stay on the gel coat real well, all the boats I have seen painted don't look so good after a few seasons on the beach. I think there are some new polymer paints that might stand up better. You are also adding some weight to the boat as well. Just some thoughts.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Good point on the black hulls. Though I do think they would look pretty sweet...

We would go through the current gel coat and when finished laying paint apply a new gel coat.

I always advise against painting Hobies. The first time it hits the trailer or the beach it will scratch. I would try to either restore the gelcoat or actually re-gelcoat it. It's a bit more labor intensive, but the finish will last waaaay longer than paint. The cost for a geloat job will be a little less material-wise and your paint guy can use primer tips on his equipment to get a good thick coat, but just getting a cheap gun that you wouldn't mind tossing if the pot goes off is a good idea. Gel takes way less skill to shoot, and is very forgiving.

My friends re-geled this boat in a 40' container/shop with a roller. Total amateurs, but it came out pretty good:



If you have to use paint. Use AWL Grip. It's as hard as nails, but it will still scratch the second the boat hits the sand. Prep is the key with paint, whereas with gel, just giving the substrate tooth works fine and will fill some pretty big scratches. AWL Grip is pricey. Probably be around $1000 for the whole system to do it right.

Or, just fix the scratches and dings and do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sEyot5A_o

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So if you're shooting gel, do you have to remove the old??????

Nope, scuff it up and go. The gel coat was put on in the mold, so you won't run into the paint peeling issues etc of poor substrate prep. If you do, you need to fix the underlying glass issues first.

J

Jeremy,

Do you have any more info in the re-gelling? I'm seriously considering attempting to spray gel in my back yard......


Ryan

Why, as a matter of fact....

The job to do a whole boat is just like this but more work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0fO8TVEtoQ

Hope that helps!

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