Having boat painted, should I keep it the original color?

RussH · 05-31-2008, 02:06 PM

I am having my Scarab Sport painted next week and I can't decide what color I should have it painted. I have decided to go with a base coat and clear coat similiar to what Glen E. had done to his Scarab. The original color is red but I really like the looks of Glen's Scarab painted black. The guy that is doing the painting said he would keep it the original red because that was the way the boat was born. He said it wouldn't be any harder to paint it black than to paint it red so it was up to me. My trailer is painted a matching red to the boat but I'm still leaning towards black.

Any opinions on reasons I should choose one color over another? I thought one advantage of going with red was if I get any deep scratches the scratch would look red because that is the color of the original gelcoat. My registration also shows the boat red and white but I doubt if that would be an issue to change it to black and white at renewal.

I really like the looks of the black so unless there are some valid reasons I should stick with the original red I'm probably going to go with the black.

I need opinions please.

Russ

bamaboy473 · 05-31-2008, 02:24 PM

You said, "...if I get any deep scratches the scratch would look red because that is the color of the original gelcoat"

asked and answered.

Glen E · 05-31-2008, 02:34 PM

either one would be nice - Anthem had his last boat painted black and like all of us that have done it , used a black epoxy primer - a few days after it was done he raked the bow with a big nail that was sticking out of the dock - still did not get thru the epoxy - needed repair but was still black...

.

Flot · 05-31-2008, 02:49 PM

Just a note while we're talking boat paint - I passed a blue boat with bright silver yamahas today and it looked great. I usually don't like the "decal-less" look, looks cheap to me especially on a black motor.. But this guy removed all the decals and painted the motors a nice bright automotive silver metallic, and they just looked awesome...

I turned around 3 times to make sure they weren't hondas, but they didn't have that funny point in the front - the silver really made the interesting lines in the Yamaha shape stand out. (now someone will correct me and tell me they were something else, lol)

buckman · 05-31-2008, 03:09 PM

Sure paint it black. You are going to spend all that money, you might as well feel like you got your $$$ worth. Besides our 28'Rabco is painted black so I'm biased.

RussH · 05-31-2008, 03:37 PM

Glen
Buckman

Any downside to painting it black? I have a black Yukon Denali and black Dodge Charger and they are both a pain to keep clean. The boat doesn't get dirty like the vehicles so I don't think this will be much of a concern...will it?

Russ

Glen E · 05-31-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

RussH - 5/31/2008 6:37 PM

Glen
Buckman

Any downside to painting it black? I have a black Yukon Denali and black Dodge Charger and they are both a pain to keep clean. The boat doesn't get dirty like the vehicles so I don't think this will be much of a concern...will it?

Russ

Russ - we have talked before and I don't know what else I can tell you...look at the timestamp on this pic - taken 3 min ago - this was painted in 3/05 and has never been waxed, rejexed (or anything)- only car wash...you tell me - not a swirl on the whole boat in 800 hours...

NCBrewWater · 05-31-2008, 03:48 PM

RussH.. I also have a scarab sport and am considering painting it. Do you mind me asking a ball park price you were quoted for the paint job? Are you painting the entiere hull or just the hull sides? Does the price include prep and fairing also or just paint?

RussH · 05-31-2008, 04:35 PM

Glen- The pic is worth a 1000 words.

NCBrew- I am having it painted for $1K labor and I pay for all of the material. My guess it will end up being around $1,700 by the time it is done.

Just having the sides painted and he is doing all of the prep work. There is hardly any damage to the area that he is painting. I have about 10 tiny blisters on the waterline that he is going to grind out and fill.

I had prices anywhere from $750 - $4,500 to paint just the sides of the boat.

Russ

jtburf · 05-31-2008, 04:41 PM

Only opinion that matters is the one of the person writing the check...

John

Glen E · 05-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Russ - Here is a tip I learned the hard way after painting my 2nd boat down to the waterline. If the deck drains are above the paint, the runoff from harsh deck cleaning chemicals will stain and bleach the paint over years. - keep the drains in the gelcoat and below the paint and you eliminate the problem:

Glen E · 05-31-2008, 04:53 PM

dp

makosteve66 · 05-31-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

RussH - 5/31/2008 7:35 PM

Just having the sides painted and he is doing all of the prep work. There is hardly any damage to the area that he is painting. I have about 10 tiny blisters on the waterline that he is going to grind out and fill.

Russ

First - I am not a pro - nor do I have any real experience from having painted boats - though are last boat was Awlgrip from the moment it was born in 1985. I have read numerous threads on the subject - mostly authored by Glen and others on this site in reference to the Sikkens paint for the hill sides.

I am worried about the quoted part of your statement and the waterline. Are you planning on painting to and possibly below the waterline? If so, is the boat trailered, or other method of dry-stored (lift, high and dry, etc.)? If not, I am under the impression that this paint (as well as Awlgrip) is not deigned for water immersion for any length of time.
If it will be dry stored and not in the water for more than a week or so at a time, then you have no worries. However, if you are going to be keeping in the water and painting to or below the waterline, then you may have a problem. As stated before, I do not KNOW for sure, but it is something to look into before you have the work done. Good luck, and if you like it in black, do it in black. Don't spend the money and 2nd guess yourself for the rest of the time that you own the boat