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Author Topic:   Bottom Paint Color Change; Blue to Red?

rdnasty posted 03-28-2003 03:57 PM ET (US)
[My mid-1980's 13-foot Boston Whaler] has blue bottom [paint], and [I want to know] how it would look to paint it red. If anyone has any pics or can tell me how it might look let me know.
Also if anyone has any suggests about how to get started on gel coating the interior let me know. Thanks.
spotsnspecks posted 03-28-2003 04:44 PM ET (US)
If the bottom you refer to is the floor you stand on, the boat is older than mid 80's. More like very early 70's or sixties. I personally think red would be a bad color for that boat. Not sure what you want to do with gel coat, but the original gel coat is fairly thick. Yo could probably use rubbing compound to get it back to original (or close). I just can't see that boat in red but that's just me. Good luck
spotsnspecks posted 03-28-2003 08:09 PM ET (US)
After rereading my post I think it came off kind of harsh. Welcome to the forum! I just wanted to let you know that the boat might be of a different vintage than you thought. If you meant actual bottom paint, my bad. I really wouldn't be able to tell you how to (re) gelcoat the bottom. Again, it would be possible to get that blue back if you so desire.
Use the site search function at the main page of this site and punch in a phrase to look up. You will find tons of information and get answers to specific questions. It helps to do a little homework I have found. Good luck.
captbone posted 03-28-2003 08:22 PM ET (US)
I think you are talking about the bottom. A red bottom with new red graphics would look pretty good if that is your taste. Me personnally I like a black bottom ( no jokes). I think that it is hard to match bottom paints to the exact color of the gel coat or graphics. Most new boats come with a black bottom. Just sand the blue really good so if does not come through. Also, new gel coat is really not worth it. Awlgrip or imron paint with do much better (for cost) then gelcoat. Also my 2 cents are that you should try to keep it as close to orginal as you can. Do customize it, but no purple interiors with a pink bottom and tuna tower. These are classics that get used and resale will be hurt with purple. Welcome to the forum.
jimh posted 03-28-2003 08:43 PM ET (US)
[Changed TOPIC; was "WHALER RESTORATION"]
If you have a digital image of your boat, it is child's play to change the color of the bottom paint to any hue you desire by using a graphics editing program.
Practically any graphics program will allow you to alter the color of the bottom paint and see how it looks in a new hue.
There are many articles about gel coating, but like any other form of applying a surface coating, most of the work is in the preparation. It will also be difficult to apply gelcoat and retain the sharp edges of the non-skid surfaces.
jimh posted 03-28-2003 08:45 PM ET (US)
I edited the original post, but now I see that the original article was somewhat vague with respect to exactly what surface was being repainted--the hull bottom (as I read it) or the interior cockpit surfaces.
Perhaps the author will return and let us know which interpretation is correct.
Capt_Tidy posted 03-29-2003 10:38 AM ET (US)
I have a lot of experience with bottom paint and have found that black is the best color for growth. The only problem is discoloring above the waterline.
Red is an excellent color for growth but a little hard on the eyes.
Most bottom - anti-foul paint sold these days is water soluble due to environmental problems of the harsher heavy copper rich paint... if you can hunt around - find a paint that is "old" versus the newer stuff... the water soluble stuff just doesn't last a couple of seasons.
The trick is to prep the bottom well - good sanding - and really let the boat dry out before application - remember to put two coats on areas that you rub... the sides and along any angle.
Recently I have been interested in a a copper epoxy paint which is report to last upto 7 years in the water. A little expensive but maybe worth it?
cheers
Ian

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Author	Topic: Bottom Paint Color Change; Blue to Red?
rdnasty	posted 03-28-2003 03:57 PM ET (US) [My mid-1980's 13-foot Boston Whaler] has blue bottom [paint], and [I want to know] how it would look to paint it red. If anyone has any pics or can tell me how it might look let me know. Also if anyone has any suggests about how to get started on gel coating the interior let me know. Thanks.
spotsnspecks	posted 03-28-2003 04:44 PM ET (US) If the bottom you refer to is the floor you stand on, the boat is older than mid 80's. More like very early 70's or sixties. I personally think red would be a bad color for that boat. Not sure what you want to do with gel coat, but the original gel coat is fairly thick. Yo could probably use rubbing compound to get it back to original (or close). I just can't see that boat in red but that's just me. Good luck
spotsnspecks	posted 03-28-2003 08:09 PM ET (US) After rereading my post I think it came off kind of harsh. Welcome to the forum! I just wanted to let you know that the boat might be of a different vintage than you thought. If you meant actual bottom paint, my bad. I really wouldn't be able to tell you how to (re) gelcoat the bottom. Again, it would be possible to get that blue back if you so desire. Use the site search function at the main page of this site and punch in a phrase to look up. You will find tons of information and get answers to specific questions. It helps to do a little homework I have found. Good luck.
captbone	posted 03-28-2003 08:22 PM ET (US) I think you are talking about the bottom. A red bottom with new red graphics would look pretty good if that is your taste. Me personnally I like a black bottom ( no jokes). I think that it is hard to match bottom paints to the exact color of the gel coat or graphics. Most new boats come with a black bottom. Just sand the blue really good so if does not come through. Also, new gel coat is really not worth it. Awlgrip or imron paint with do much better (for cost) then gelcoat. Also my 2 cents are that you should try to keep it as close to orginal as you can. Do customize it, but no purple interiors with a pink bottom and tuna tower. These are classics that get used and resale will be hurt with purple. Welcome to the forum.
jimh	posted 03-28-2003 08:43 PM ET (US) [Changed TOPIC; was "WHALER RESTORATION"] If you have a digital image of your boat, it is child's play to change the color of the bottom paint to any hue you desire by using a graphics editing program. Practically any graphics program will allow you to alter the color of the bottom paint and see how it looks in a new hue. There are many articles about gel coating, but like any other form of applying a surface coating, most of the work is in the preparation. It will also be difficult to apply gelcoat and retain the sharp edges of the non-skid surfaces.
jimh	posted 03-28-2003 08:45 PM ET (US) I edited the original post, but now I see that the original article was somewhat vague with respect to exactly what surface was being repainted--the hull bottom (as I read it) or the interior cockpit surfaces. Perhaps the author will return and let us know which interpretation is correct.
Capt_Tidy	posted 03-29-2003 10:38 AM ET (US) I have a lot of experience with bottom paint and have found that black is the best color for growth. The only problem is discoloring above the waterline. Red is an excellent color for growth but a little hard on the eyes. Most bottom - anti-foul paint sold these days is water soluble due to environmental problems of the harsher heavy copper rich paint... if you can hunt around - find a paint that is "old" versus the newer stuff... the water soluble stuff just doesn't last a couple of seasons. The trick is to prep the bottom well - good sanding - and really let the boat dry out before application - remember to put two coats on areas that you rub... the sides and along any angle. Recently I have been interested in a a copper epoxy paint which is report to last upto 7 years in the water. A little expensive but maybe worth it? cheers Ian