How to Paint Your Yacht

When purchasing a used trawler or motor yacht, it's very easy to be turned off by the exterior looks of the yacht. Of course, I'm not suggesting that it be ignored. I tell buyers to judge how good the used trawler or motor yachts been kept up by how she presents herself. If the exterior finish is all scratched up and the brightwork is in bad condition, I usually find everything else in the engine room the same way. It's simply an indicator.

But a dull outside isn't a bad matter either. The gel coat on a used trawler or motor yacht is there for one reason, to make her look beautiful. It has no other purpose. The gel coats worst enemy is the ultraviolet rays of the sun. After 5-10 years exposed to in the tropical Florida sun, almost all gel coats begin to dull and chalk up. Not even intense polishing will bring the gel coat back to the luster when it was brand new. So when you find a used trawler or motor yacht that has a lack luster outside but everything else is good to go, there is a simple way to salvage her. How can we do that, by painting her?

Hatteras and Huckins are but two yachts that are painted at the factory. When we purchased our trawler the Patricia Ann, she was in excellent shape, but her gel coat was dulled and there were a few cosmetic fiberglass dings here and there. Professional painting of a used trawler or motor yacht is very expensive. You can plan on about $1000 a foot to have it professionally done so that was out of the question.

I set off to research the process of performing the painting myself and read as much as I could about what paint to choose and how to do it. At the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, I talked with spokespeople from Interlux. The rep explained to me that both the Interlux make of boat paints and the Awlgrip trademark are very similar in preparation and application. Interlux, however, is developed for the do-it-yourselfer. So my choice was made, Interlux Perfection, two part paint was the way I was going to go.

Without going into detail about what the directions state, I'll just say that even though working with two-part paints appears intimidating, it's actually very easy to do. Just follow the instructions supplied with each can of paint and you'll get the technique immediately.

I chose the roll and tip method of practical application as spraying in a marina was impossible. It's easy to do once you practice. I practiced on a scrap piece of glass until I had it down pat. Directions are supplied by Interlux.

Here are a few pointers.

Start your project by separating the used trawler or motor yacht into manageable segments; that way the project will not consume you. I selected the port cap rail on the Patricia Ann to start my project.

Preparation of the painting surface consumes about 3/4 of the time you will spend on your plan. A terrible surface will produce a bad paint job. Begin by cleaning the gel coat with thinner. This will free the surface of any wax that may have been applied that will cause your paint to lift after application.

The next step, take a small mallet and check the entire area to be painted, taping lightly to locate any voids below the gel coat. When you locate them and you will, dig them out with a Dremel tool. You do not want to spend the money and time to do a good paint job and have voids open up later on.

I utilized the West System epoxy with the fairing filler to repair the voids I found. Follow the directions provided to make the resin simple to use. Sandpaper them flush after the restored spots have cured. Wash the dust off with water.

The hard part is not over yet?

Next, tape the region thats going to be painted and take off any hardware to make it go easier. I used the 14 day painter's tape in stock at Lowe's or Home Depot for masking.

Now we are ready to paint. I used a 4 inch foam roller and the best 2-1/2 inch natural paint brush I could find, also available at Lowe's. Mix up only enough paint that you can apply in 2 hours, for me its 1/2 quart. The paint is pricey, about $85.00 a quart and you don't need to be throwing any out.

Only apply paint when the outside humidity is 75% or lower. Be certain there is no chance of rainfall.

Two part paint takes about 5 hours to cure. Be careful to complete your painting before noon to provide complete drying. If dew falls on your paint, the moisture will convert the high gloss to a flat finish. I use a window between 10 AM and noon to paint.

When it was over, it took at least 600 hours to prepare and paint the Patricia Ann. We utilized about 1 gallon of West System resin and 12 quarts of Interlux Perfection to paint two coats on her.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely! She looks beautiful!

If you have been contemplating the painting of your used trawler or motor yacht and would like to ask me some specific questions, feel free to ask.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.


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