Need help with paint

[Jason4636]

I'm working on a Miss Geico hull, doing some work inside the hull and outside the hull. I know I'm going to repaint it. Since I'm using body filler in a couple of areas, do I need to lay down a primer? Plus what type of paint is best to paint the hull with?

[Flying Scotsman]

Yes and you need to wet sand the whole hull and then prime coat. The paint is your choice ....just make sure they are compatible.

Douggie

I'm working on a Miss Geico hull, doing some work inside the hull and outside the hull. I know I'm going to repaint it. Since I'm using body filler in a couple of areas, do I need to lay down a primer? Plus what type of paint is best to paint the hull with?

[Jason4636]

So I need to sand the whole hull, then primer, sand again, paint, then sand again, then clear, sand again, then buff it out?

[dana]

The geico hull is automotive clear I believe. You don't need to prime the whole hull. Just sand and paint. Automotive clear is like its own primer. Prime the area you're using filler on then sand everything and paint.

[dana]

Btw I'm a car painter of 10 years, and have certifications by ppg, so I know a few things about paint. Good luck!

[Jason4636]

Thanks dana

[Jason4636]

What grit of sand paper to use between coats of paint? I'm gonna use 3-4 colors

[dana]

Jay, if you're using any metallic colors, you don't want to sand them, it will destroy the metallic look. I don't ever sand color coats, but when using spray cans, you may have to depending on the instructions on the can. 800 should be plenty if you must, but try to avoid it. Also, try not to put on more than 3 coats of paint per day. The spray paint uses ALOT of solvent thinner to make them spray able thru a can, and those solvents need to escape for the paint to dry proper. If you keep putting paint on, the coats underneath won't be able to flash ( solvents escaping ) and they will never dry. They will stay soft.

[dana]

A trick you can also do is, tape off the area you are putting your colors on, and sand just that area. That way you aren't sanding color that doesn't get another color on top of it

[Jason4636]

Dana- I've been reading here at work on 2k spray paints. Are they any better than regular rattle can paints?I know I'm going to use 3-4 colors on the boat.

If I'm going to be using Black, Orange, Silver metal flake and maybe another color. I was thinking of using the silver as a base color. But you said not to sand metal flake colors. Plus how many coats would you suggest of each color? And what grit of sand paper to do your final sand on the primer and boat, before you paint? And what grit between different colors

[Jason4636]

Plus who make a good paint in a spray can? I'm not looking for the run of the mill colors, I want something wild, and bright. If I can find some cool colors, I might change the design and colors I already picked out

[dana]

2k paints are generally better but cost more money.
I usually start with the color that covers the most area and work my way down based on how much of each color I'm going to use. How much of each color? Just use enough to get coverage, and an extra for good measure. You don't want to see thru anywhere. Final sanding of primer and boat before paint I would got with 400-600. 400 might be easier to find, but 600 will leave finer scratch pattern. Metallics don't like heavy scratch patterns, for ex. 320 would be a bit too much. 400 is going on the edge for metallics. If you use 400 try to sand in circular motion. 800 should be fine for in between color coats if you must. Black is tough to cover so consider that when painting, might be good to leave till last if you can.

[dana]

Jay, I'm no guru on spray paint, as I have access to sprayguns and the best paints. Some autobody suppliers can make spraycans of quality stuff, but it's very pricy, and you need to use compatable clear and primers. Try looking for a autobody paint supplier in your area and speak to them about prices and what they have. Also do a thread search on here, there was recently a thread on good spraycan paints. Also you could do the paint yourself then ask a local collision repair shop to clearcoat it for you.

[siberianhusky]

I'm not much of a painter - but I do have basic spray equipment, everything I have sprayed with 2k clear has been pretty much bullet proof, it sounds intimidating but it's actually pretty easy to spray if you follow the directions.
Since I didn't know what I was getting into and wasn't sure of success I went with Dupont's cheapest line called Nason (spelling?) works great and I imagine the higher end stuff gives an even nicer finish, flat sanded then buffed it gives you a paint job you look into.
I got into it because I also run nitro boats and the 2k clears are nitro proof and much easier to deal with than any of the epoxy paints I tried.
I've sprayed it over enamel, lacquer and automotive airbrush detail paint. I find the good old toxic petro-chemical based paints work much better than the water based stuff.
You do need to use a good respirator with the 2k clears.

[dana]

Siberian, the advantage of waterborne is that it doesn't react when you spray over other paints. But there is a technique to get them to look rite, and they are ugly when you put them on. You have to let it flash off, then it will even out and look nice.