How much paint ?

[stv92]

Im about to paint 30ft cat.(1996 Awesomecat)
Painting the inside,deck,sides & transom.

Shotting red gel coat.

Any ideas to amount of paint required ?
I would rather have more then not enough.

Im thinking about 5 gallons

Where to get the best RED

[RobF]

gel outside a mold?

you are going to need more then 5 gallons if your planning on sanding and polishing it all, might be closer to 15 gallons.

[stv92]

15 gallons

Yes, gel out of the mold.

I plan on leaving it in the water (out once per month to clean).

I dont not mind buying 15 gallons,

I will sand & buff the boat after.

Where to get 15 gallons of Red Gel coat ?

Thanks be back soon
Jeff

P.S: Are we sure I need 15 gallons ?
Dont mind having over, but not 5 gallons.

[RobF]

gel comes out rough when not sprayed in a mold.
Depending on gun used you will reduce the gel anyhow.

You say your spraying the WHOLE boat, you need at least 4 GOOD HEAVY coats to be able to sand and polish, with an extra coat or so along the edges so you dont end up sanding them off.

What is the surface like? If its badly oxidized or you have repairs the surface might be pourous and have pinholes- so you will need some extra gel there.

You can get 5 gallon pails from a local fiberglass supply place, im sure if there are boats near you there is someone selling them supplies to repair them. You may want to start out with a 5 gallon pail and see how far it gets you. Spray a section and then try sanding and polishing it so you can adjust your methods before you go spraying the whole entire boat.

I know if its special order I wait a week or two to get a pail, so if time is not an issue you can go pail by pail.


You should consider using paint. Your going to really be hating life when your sanding and polishing that whole boat, it will cost you a fortune in sandpaper and compound, and of course time.

[ghost28]

i have to agre with RobF.....gel is NOT easy to sand and polish...especially if you are doing the bottom which it sounds like you are...

[stv92]

NOT PAINTING THE BOTTOM
not painting the dash

But painting everything else.
I like to leave it in the water, I have a dock in the backyard.
Willing to take out of the water once a week to wash.
+ shes big to tow to the ramp with everybody else

Need a nice strong paint. Seems gelcoat is the way to go?
I was thinking of gel for the sides & paint for the top & inside the boat?
instead of all gel coat? (any better idea?)

Dont care about cost but want it to last, & willing to sand & rub.
+ leave in the water (fresh water), for a couple of weeks, clean & back in.

If so, whats a good paint for the top & inside(base+clear?).

The boat is original paint, good but paint has been buffed to many times.
Couple of small cracks which will be epoxyed & primed.
Over all its in great shape, no repairs.

Now, Im not a painter but I have a great painter to do the job.
I have stripped the boat & starting to sand next week.

Any help with paint would be welcome

[RobF]

maybe ask your painter what he feels comfortable with using and repairing later down the road