Painting a hull

[Davey80]

Hey i'm looking for a thread or info on getting a hull painted. I'd like to get a white Spartan hull and either paint it myself or have a professional do it.

If i do it myself do i need a paint gun/sprayer? I have experience painting up RC truck bodies, but painting boats seems to be a different beast.

Since the Spartan uses a plastic hull, would i just lightly sand the body down, wash and dry it, paint it up with a gel coat and then finish it with a couple clear coats?

If i were to put flame graphics on the front and sides, is masking the right way to approach it or are there sticker graphics that go underneath the clear coats?

Any major differences between painting a fiberglass hull and a plastic hull?

If i went the professional route and had someone else do it for me, who do you guys use or recommend?

Thanks! -Mark

[srislash]

I would just paint yourself. If you want flames Parma makes Paint Masks for truck bodies that work fine on boats too. As far as prep, sand hull, wash,clean, wipe with alcohol, and hit it with primer. Re wetsand with 400+ grit and begin main color.
Shawn

[ray schrauwen]

Very good article: http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/how-to-spraypaint.php

[jj2003]

Did this to my spartan with rattle cans. Peeled all the stickers, wiped with prep-sol to remove any glue. Sanded with a red (medium) 3m scuff pad and primed with dark grey basecoat. Then used Krylon epoxy based black made for appliances in 3 coats gradually fading it to the front. Then used Duplicolor Red anodized for the front half, also gradually fading off to the rear. Then cleared the whole thing with Spray Max 2k.

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[jj2003]

Here it is with a few decals from Monojeff and Fightercat Racing ,

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[Davey80]

Great info! Exactly what i was looking for, much appreciated. JJ that paint job is sweet!

[jj2003]

Great info! Exactly what i was looking for, much appreciated. JJ that paint job is sweet!

Thanks for the compliment! My son wants a bigger hull but he wont part with the Spartan (I gave it to him) cause" it looks so cool" haha!

[jj2003]

Just a few more with a new set of OE decals, and a few of his own :)

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