17-Footer: How Much Gelcoat Needed To Refinish Hull

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Author Topic:   17-Footer: How Much Gelcoat Needed To Refinish Hull

modenacart posted 02-24-2010 06:37 PM ET (US)
How much gelcoat is needed [to refinish] a 17-foot pre-smirk hull? I have sanded down most of [the gel coat layer] to practically zero thickness.
Thanks.
deepwater posted 02-24-2010 08:04 PM ET (US)
A tape measure and calculator will give you the sqaure-foot area, and rounded off, plus 12-percent. The can says what a gallon will cover in square-feet.
modenacart posted 02-24-2010 08:38 PM ET (US)
I was hoping to compare estimates with someone's experiences.
tump line posted 02-24-2010 10:04 PM ET (US)
I am considering either taking the same steps with my 66' [66-foot? Probably meant 1966] or just re-painting the hull. As you have completed a good portion of the work would you be willing to field a few questions? Thank you in advance
deepwater posted 02-25-2010 02:35 AM ET (US)
It is hard to estimate coverage when painting or spraying. My wife can go through a gallon of paint in a small bathroom and I use the same amount in a small bedroom. If you are worried about having too much left over, buy several smaller cans. Custom tinted will not be returned to the store
sraab928 posted 02-25-2010 06:23 AM ET (US)
Don't know if this helps but we went through about 10 gallons doing my 1972 Whaler 19.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1973%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage/20100121_2870.jpg
modenacart posted 02-25-2010 12:28 PM ET (US)
As to paint or gelcoat, its really up to you. I think gelcoat is alot better, but all the sanding I had to do took forever. If I had to do it again, I would buy a grinder and do the final sanding with the DA instead of all with the DA.
I am still in the process of pricing gelcoat locally so that may be the factor in how much I buy too if five gallons is not significantly more than what I estimate.
modenacart posted 02-25-2010 12:29 PM ET (US)
Your boat looks great!
jtanner posted 02-25-2010 03:16 PM ET (US)
Here is reference on theoretical coverage of paints and gelcoats.
Paint calculator: http://home.bottompaintstore.com/Paint_Calculator.html

This gelcoat also says the same amount…about 48 square feet per gallon. But remember that is theoretical. Like the post above…You should plan for 12%-15% more than you need.
Gelcoat: http://www.bottompaintstore.com/Gel-Coat-White-Premium-Quart-by-Sea-Hawk-Paints-8115P-8120-QT.htm
sraab928 posted 02-25-2010 05:57 PM ET (US)
I went the gelcoat route as I really just love the shine it gives. We had estimated 5 gallons to do the project and boy it was off - You end up spraying more coats than you think - sometimes you get imperfections or pinholes that wont sand out - Its a very labor intensive project but I think the results truly speak for themselves.
Thanks for the compliment - You really have to love a boat to put this kind of money and effort into it.
Wasatch Whaler posted 02-26-2010 10:36 AM ET (US)
modenacart,
I re-gelcoated my 15' Sport last fall and purchased 1 1/2 gallons to do the job.
I would suggest you buy at least three gallons. I would also suggest that once you have every thing tinted, pour it into a larger container (5 gallon bucket) and stir it around to eliminate any color variation. At that point pour off a quart or so into a can and set that aside. If you sand or buff through your new gelcoat (likely) you will have some to use for the repair, and it will be the exact shade.
Good Luck!

jtanner posted 02-26-2010 10:48 AM ET (US)
Sea Hawk is an excellent premium gelcoat. This site also gives free shipping on gelcoat.
http://www.bottompaintstore.com/ Gelcoat-White-Premium-Gallon-by-Seahawk-Paints-8115P-8120-GL.htm
modenacart posted 02-26-2010 04:44 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the responses.

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Author	Topic: 17-Footer: How Much Gelcoat Needed To Refinish Hull
modenacart	posted 02-24-2010 06:37 PM ET (US) How much gelcoat is needed [to refinish] a 17-foot pre-smirk hull? I have sanded down most of [the gel coat layer] to practically zero thickness. Thanks.
deepwater	posted 02-24-2010 08:04 PM ET (US) A tape measure and calculator will give you the sqaure-foot area, and rounded off, plus 12-percent. The can says what a gallon will cover in square-feet.
modenacart	posted 02-24-2010 08:38 PM ET (US) I was hoping to compare estimates with someone's experiences.
tump line	posted 02-24-2010 10:04 PM ET (US) I am considering either taking the same steps with my 66' [66-foot? Probably meant 1966] or just re-painting the hull. As you have completed a good portion of the work would you be willing to field a few questions? Thank you in advance
deepwater	posted 02-25-2010 02:35 AM ET (US) It is hard to estimate coverage when painting or spraying. My wife can go through a gallon of paint in a small bathroom and I use the same amount in a small bedroom. If you are worried about having too much left over, buy several smaller cans. Custom tinted will not be returned to the store
sraab928	posted 02-25-2010 06:23 AM ET (US) Don't know if this helps but we went through about 10 gallons doing my 1972 Whaler 19. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/ 1973%20Boston%20Whaler%2019%20Outrage/20100121_2870.jpg
modenacart	posted 02-25-2010 12:28 PM ET (US) As to paint or gelcoat, its really up to you. I think gelcoat is alot better, but all the sanding I had to do took forever. If I had to do it again, I would buy a grinder and do the final sanding with the DA instead of all with the DA. I am still in the process of pricing gelcoat locally so that may be the factor in how much I buy too if five gallons is not significantly more than what I estimate.
modenacart	posted 02-25-2010 12:29 PM ET (US) Your boat looks great!
jtanner	posted 02-25-2010 03:16 PM ET (US) Here is reference on theoretical coverage of paints and gelcoats. Paint calculator: http://home.bottompaintstore.com/Paint_Calculator.html This gelcoat also says the same amount…about 48 square feet per gallon. But remember that is theoretical. Like the post above…You should plan for 12%-15% more than you need. Gelcoat: http://www.bottompaintstore.com/Gel-Coat-White-Premium-Quart-by-Sea-Hawk-Paints-8115P-8120-QT.htm
sraab928	posted 02-25-2010 05:57 PM ET (US) I went the gelcoat route as I really just love the shine it gives. We had estimated 5 gallons to do the project and boy it was off - You end up spraying more coats than you think - sometimes you get imperfections or pinholes that wont sand out - Its a very labor intensive project but I think the results truly speak for themselves. Thanks for the compliment - You really have to love a boat to put this kind of money and effort into it.
Wasatch Whaler	posted 02-26-2010 10:36 AM ET (US) modenacart, I re-gelcoated my 15' Sport last fall and purchased 1 1/2 gallons to do the job. I would suggest you buy at least three gallons. I would also suggest that once you have every thing tinted, pour it into a larger container (5 gallon bucket) and stir it around to eliminate any color variation. At that point pour off a quart or so into a can and set that aside. If you sand or buff through your new gelcoat (likely) you will have some to use for the repair, and it will be the exact shade. Good Luck!
jtanner	posted 02-26-2010 10:48 AM ET (US) Sea Hawk is an excellent premium gelcoat. This site also gives free shipping on gelcoat. http://www.bottompaintstore.com/ Gelcoat-White-Premium-Gallon-by-Seahawk-Paints-8115P-8120-GL.htm
modenacart	posted 02-26-2010 04:44 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the responses.