Well, no boat forum so here goes.

[Who]

I may be off topic but no other place to ask. So I guess I need to do this to be on topic. LOL
Boy I really want to go fishing but need to work on my boat.
Ok, now for my question.
I want to paint my boat but need to find out a little info.
I have a 1980 trihull, 16', gellcoat. Dont know the make of the boat as all markings have been taken off .
1. What type paint is best for painting this type boat?
2. Does it have to be sprayed on or can you roll it on.
3. Do they make a type paint that I can roll on as I have no experence in
spray painting.
4. How hard is it to spray paint with this paint?
5. What type spray gun do you use? Would one from Home Depo that is
listed to be used for cars work or do you need somthing else?
Well thanks for the help. I need to finish this project and start on somthing else.

[Chuck7]

How hard is it to spray paint with this paint?

It involves alot. I helped spray paint my truck. Get with someone who knows what they are doing. You have to add reducers and chemicals to the paint. Teh paint must be screened . The compressor needs to hold a steady pressure. Usually about 35 pounds. The surface has to be extra clean. You also need a decent gun about 70.00 and higher. It's a big deal.

[m.t.hands]

never done a boat, but have done some other things, here is an article i found that may be of intrest

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/gelcoat/restoregelcoat.htm

[HighDesertWolf]

I helped a friend prep his boat for painting, he did all the painting where he is a pro and does it for a living. But I got to do alot of sanding and masking, i did learn that you have to sand the old finish off down to the fiberglass and in the process we used circular sanders to bust through the original gel coat but once you got to the paint you have to do it all by hand yep just your hand and a piece of sandpaper. id say between the two of us it took atleast 4 hours of sanding a day for about a week straight then the masking took about 4 hours and it was ready for painting. in your case the prepping should only take half the time as my buds boat where his was a 29 footer.

[Chuck7]

WOW Keith {MTHands} you are a great resource person. You seem to always come up with great finds.
C7

[JoshKeller]

you will have to sand every last inch of the gel coat down to the fiberglass. Then you need to paint it with a primer, then a marine enamel. After that, you can add glitter if you want, and then finally, you'll need to put ona gelcoat, mixed with glitter if you wish. Its REALLY not worth it, unless you have the resources to pay someone to do it for you, and I would consider it a bargain if you got it done for under $800 - $1000.