Paintwork

[doc g]

I am thinking seriously about having my hull painted and if that goes well perhaps the topside. I was wondering if anyone has a paint contract they would like to share? If not we could get input from all the “experts” and maybe put together a contract that could be posted as a reference for forum members to use a guide when getting major paintwork done. I know I have read that any scratches need to be dealt with in a certain manner, so many coats of primer should be used, so many top coats, how to deal with gouges etc. I think it would be a great resource for all. I know some will say just take it somewhere that does "good" work and forget it , but paint jobs can look great for a few years then deteriorate quickly if not prepped right. What say the “experts”? ……..Pat

 

[Boatsb]

I am thinking seriously about having my hull painted and if that goes well perhaps the topside. I was wondering if anyone has a paint contract they would like to share? If not we could get input from all the “experts” and maybe put together a contract that could be posted as a reference for forum members to use a guide when getting major paintwork done. I know I have read that any scratches need to be dealt with in a certain manner, so many coats of primer should be used, so many top coats, how to deal with gouges etc. I think it would be a great resource for all. I know some will say just take it somewhere that does "good" work and forget it , but paint jobs can look great for a few years then deteriorate quickly if not prepped right. What say the “experts”? ……..Pat

I would get a basic scope of work and forget the contract. No professional is going to accept your contract over theirs.

 

[doc g]

Agreed , I should have said "document" to be used as a reference...........Pat

 

[saltshaker]

Sounds great but not easy to do. So much depends on the prep work and the amount of material applied. Not sure how you control that other than by using a reputable painter that others have had success with. The test of time is the big indicator. Even a cheap job can look great for the first year or so. Price isn't necessarily an indicator either. You really need to see their work, particularly boats that were painted several years ago. Do you have a painter in mind or are you looking to educate yourself before shopping for the paint shop?

 

[sandspur1966]

I agree with Jack, it is not easy to create a template for this type of work as so much depends on the condition of the boat, whether you need glass work or not, whether you are doing a scratch and spray or pulling all the hardware etc etc etc.

One piece of advice is... where I respectfully differ from him is, I believe you get what you pay for with paint work. If you want a true "bristol" job then I highly recommend going to a reputable yard that does numerous paint jobs every year and keeps talent on staff and can show you several jobs spanning several years as a reference. They should quote you a firm price for the job and stick to it with the only overages occurring if they discover hidden glass work like soft coring etc.

The biggest complaints I have heard (and experienced) are when you engage a crew without their own facility and accept time and material terms for the job. Not saying it isn't possible that this arrangement will work out, just that it more often then not results in trouble.

 

[bostonhatteras]

If you would like an education on paint and prep then search online for the awlgrip site. They have considerable resources available for casual reading. They will offer different scenerios of repair or substrate etc. interlux has some info but no where near as exhaustive. Also if you can get a professional auto body supply shop , preferably the owner of manager then they will have much knowledge to of Imron and other linear polyurethanes. Read, read, read and then you'll feel confident when you talk to the contractors. Also watch the work as it progresses to see that you actually do get the specified number of coats and processes. Nothing like watching contractors to keep them honest.

 

[mdshore]

I used to rep LP topside paints (linear polyurethanes) You should ask around to see many examples of the painters work , and in the contract there should be a gloss retention guarantee and DOI distinction of Image of final product. There are many ways to paint a hull and make it look great, its the life expectancy thats most important .

 

[Jasper]

Very good idea, if only there was a way to "measure/define" a good paint job.
Hard to measure something which is mainly based on perception.

I will probably try a Vinyl Wrap on the hull before I go for the cost of a full paint. There are 2 boats moored nearby who have had wraps and the results are very good and economical

 

[doc g]

what is a vinyl coat? some type of clear cote ????

 

[saltshaker]

what is a vinyl coat? some type of clear cote ????

I believe he is talking about a vinyl wrap similar to what you see on city buses. Go fast boats do this and the Hatteras 60C with 4 pods did it.
http://www.largeformatreview.com/applications/659-image-monster-make-waves-with-their-boat-wrap

 

[Jasper]

I believe he is talking about a vinyl wrap similar to what you see on city buses. Go fast boats do this and the Hatteras 60C with 4 pods did it.
http://www.largeformatreview.com/applications/659-image-monster-make-waves-with-their-boat-wrap

That's it saltshaker.
I was sceptical until I saw the results. I also thought only good for the smaller boats, but works just as good on the larger ones.
Not as good as a repaint, then again, it costs a fraction of the price and for a fishing boat it's great.
These guys on the Wet Island have some good ideas.

http://www.wildgroupinternational.com/

They said they could wrap my boat (hull) for $6000

 

[TopHattandTails]

Can ya get a plain one in Hatteras White? Seriously though, those guys usually paint the boat before application to make the wrap "pop".

 

[mdshore]

Very good idea, if only there was a way to "measure/define" a good paint job.
Hard to measure something which is mainly based on perception.

I will probably try a Vinyl Wrap on the hull before I go for the cost of a full paint. There are 2 boats moored nearby who have had wraps and the results are very good and economical

.....not perception actually..
There is a way to measure DOI . for example- http://www.gardco.com/pages/gloss/doimeter.cfm

 

[mdshore]

.....not perception actually..
There is a way to measure DOI . for example- http://www.gardco.com/pages/gloss/doimeter.cfm

vinyl wrap? silly idea unless you are advertizing or looking for multiple color layouts.

 

[q240z]

Vinyl strikes me as something that would be great if an advertiser (who might be fickle) was paying to put its logo on my my boat for as long as it made sense to them...after which I would pray to the goddess of the seas that another advertiser came along. $6k per "paint job" would get very expensive after the vinyl coat got shredded by a piling or slightly mis-adjusted fender every season or so.

On the flip-side, I know of a Hatteras 58 tri-cabin that was repainted at a six-figure expense by a very reputable yard that's been doing this stuff forever. After it was all done, the boat arrived back in its slip with thin spots and places where the hardware had been poorly "laser-taped" (ie tape extending beyond the hardware over places where paint should have been applied). For a while, I believe the owner was blinded by the bling, but five years down the road the cabin top paint (Awl Grip, fwiw) is cracking and peeling off in big chunks. And this, while the the boat is listed for sale as having been repainted...for more than a hundred grand.

Point being, a fixed contract, modern miracle product, or even a venerable yard using a venerable product aren't any form of guarantee of future performance...especially when yard staff or management can change on a moment's notice. Last week's "Best Boat-Painting Yard on the Planet" can become the maritime MAACO if the leader of the prep and/or paint crew up and leaves and gets replaced by inferior help.

Good discussion topic, in any case.

Cheers,
Q

 

[Jasper]

.....not perception actually..
There is a way to measure DOI . for example- http://www.gardco.com/pages/gloss/doimeter.cfm

Thanks for that, I had a whole lot of ideas as to what DOI might stand for!
As q240z posted, too often we are blinded by the sight of a new paint job without seeing the orange peel effect!

As for the longevity of the vinyl wrap........I am not backing vinyl against a re-paint until I see how my neighbours boat wears. BUT: as already posted, I have seen some Very poor paint work that the owners never picked up on until a few months later. I have also seen a boat where the owners represantative would not accept the shoddy work until the boat had been repainted twice.

And NO they do not re-paint the the boat before applying the vinyl.

Personally, I like the idea.

http://www.wildgroupinternational.com/Case-Studies/Boats-(below-35m)/Starry-Night

This is NOT a stay at the dock gin & tonic yacht!

 

[saltshaker]

You can get the vinyl in virtually any color or design you want. Solid white and colored are used by some manufacturers to protect the paint or gel coat underneath. I've never seen one (at least not that I'm aware of) but would be curious to see one up close and after a few years.

Jasper, what's the cost to paint just your hull only? I was told that on a SF in reasonably good shape, $300 per foot for the hull and $700 per foot for the topsides. That was a few years ago but I think those prices are in range depending on location. Either way the hull is by far the cheapest to paint. Yours doesn't need paint anytime soon does it? I remember that boat being stand out. When I looked at it 10 or so years ago, she was just repainted twice. Fist paint had some imperfections so the shot the entire hull again. Should be plenty of product to last a while. I also thought she was repainted again since then but can't remember.

 

[Jasper]

You can get the vinyl in virtually any color or design you want. Solid white and colored are used by some manufacturers to protect the paint or gel coat underneath. I've never seen one (at least not that I'm aware of) but would be curious to see one up close and after a few years.

Jasper, what's the cost to paint just your hull only? I was told that on a SF in reasonably good shape, $300 per foot for the hull and $700 per foot for the topsides. That was a few years ago but I think those prices are in range depending on location. Either way the hull is by far the cheapest to paint. Yours doesn't need paint anytime soon does it? I remember that boat being stand out. When I looked at it 10 or so years ago, she was just repainted twice. Fist paint had some imperfections so the shot the entire hull again. Should be plenty of product to last a while. I also thought she was repainted again since then but can't remember.

I sent an email off to Wild in England and got a quote back for approx UK POUNDS 4,500, just for the hull.
I would be cautious about using the wrap to protect a good gelcoat, only because I believe the vinyl would create a bond strong enough to cause some damage on removal. Plus I have heard it leaves a "footprint" after being taken off.
As for my hull, it is good, although there is some overspray on the Stbd fwd side, which I should ignore but can't. Plus there are a few too many "bill" marks on the sides, particularily the port, but I see them as battle scars.
With that attitude in mind, I cannot justify $60,000 to repaint the boat. She is a classic and the mechanicals are my priority, the paint work never halted a fishing/cruise trip.
Oneday maybe, or as my boat is called, Someday!
Cheers salthshaker and enjoy your Summer. It is chilly Down here.
Jasper.