Can anyone here skewl me when it comes to painting fiberglass on a boat?

I know in general boats are painted with a gelcoat. But I want to paint/repair the upper deck of my boat where I dropped the kicker motor. I was told Marine paint would be ok for this area.

Can someone educate me in the painting process like sanding, primer, coats(How many), waxing??? basically I want to do a professional job without sending it out to have it done.

I don't want wifey to find out.....Yet

Please help me. Thanks

Can anyone here skewl me when it comes to painting fiberglass on a boat?

I know in general boats are painted with a gelcoat. But I want to paint/repair the upper deck of my boat where I dropped the kicker motor. I was told Marine paint would be ok for this area.

Can someone educate me in the painting process like sanding, primer, coats(How many), waxing??? basically I want to do a professional job without sending it out to have it done.

I don't want wifey to find out.....Yet

Please help me. Thanks

I would worry more about wifey finding out about the orbital sander( ), which you may have to give up for a while to do some of it.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Paint.htm

http://www.capndsboatshed.com/boatpaint-prep.htm

I have done bottom paint "ceramic/copper"base
paint,But I don't know if they are the same?
I can find out this weekend from the High commander of the OUTLAWS.(father in law)

Unless you have done this before - dont do it - it will look like crap - I am speaking from personal experience - I spent days trying to get a deck ding painted - there was no way that I could match it up - after a week of futile attempts I eventually gave in and got it done professionally - it probably cost me twice as much by the time I had finished than it would have done if I had just gotten the guy in the first place.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h2co-pilot:
I would worry more about wifey finding out about the orbital sander( ), which you may have to give up for a while to do some of it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">or dry sanding using 320 grit sanding discs on a
dual-action orbital sander.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Dual-action orbital sander? Hmmmmmm. I don't have that one. Must get.

Co-Pilot, you're the best. I'll PM Ken to request he give extra special lovin tonight.

Partsguy, PLEASE! any info on techniques/steps will help.

Andy, I just had it removed from dry dock last week. If I take it out of the water again. The dockmaster will tell his wife and his wife will tell my wife and my wife will make my life......