The Boating Forum - diy paint maycraft 1800

Have a Maycraft 1800 that I love, also love classic clean looks. So off with the decals a few years ago and now I have a bare white hull (with some Pamlico River brown water stains). Want to paint it and leave decal-less (sea-foam green). Have access to paint gun and willing friends (beer for pay).....in doing the prep work, what grit sandpaper should I "scuff" with? Any help appreciated.
Thanks.
Brent

What paint were you thinking of using?...awlgrip?...imron?...you have a gel coat surface that will need sanding, then priming then paint....

probably an interlux product or alexseal.....not looking for miami boat show quality but a decent job...thanks.

Wipe everything down with a de-waxer, available at any auto paint jobber. Do this first to prevent any waxes or oils from getting sanded into the gel coat and failed adhesion areas later

Wet sand with 150 or finer grit. Use a rubber block or DA sander, low speed. Just kiss the surface for the primer to get a good "tooth"

Prime and paint with your choice of paint afterwards

Remove all masking tape as soon as you are finished painting if at all possible

It's money well spent to have an automotive body shop paint it for you. the boat will fit in a paint booth and it will come out killer. Have thems spray clear over it and scratches buff right out. see my sig below.

It's money well spent to have an automotive body shop paint it for you.


The title says "diy"

:roll

The hard part is the prep, if the owner can prep and mask it, then take it to an auto body shop for painting, he can get a great paint job at a reduced expense.

I own the same boat, please post pics when urdone, I bet it looks awesome !