Getting ready to spray some epoxy primer tomorrow on the hull...finally!

I have had a couple of long business trips this past month, and when I wasn't away at work, it seemed to be raining every day here in Florida.  Needless to say, the progress on the boat slowed down the last month.

However, I did finally get the hull ready to spray 2 part epoxy primer tomorrow!

I finished the spray rails and put two more coats of epoxy on the boat.  Then we went over the entire boat with the cheese grater (surform).  Then I gave it a scuff sanding with some 180 grit to get it ready for paint.

 Lovebugs have been everywhere!

 Here it is, just before the scuff sanding.  Basically ready for epoxy primer!

I have decided to use Imron 3.5 high gloss for the top coat paint.  After much research and studying MSDS's (real fun, I am an exciting guy, I know) I believe that marine paint and good quality urethane car paint is virtually identical, with the car paint being better in most cases.  The most durable and time tested paint for painting airplanes, firetrucks, 18 wheelers, bridges, buildings and industrial structures has been Dupont's Imron paint.  I figured if it was good enough for a 747 jet, it was good enough for my boat.

Also, there are many flavors of Imron paint.  From around $65 a gallon up to the $500 range.  The biggest difference is that the top dollar paints are available in the most striking colors and have the potential to have the nicest gloss and shine.  In order to realize this potential of a $500 gallon of paint, you need to be in a $100,000 spray booth and be using a $800 spray gun and have already done MANY hours of prep work.

Since I am painting outside, this would be a complete waste of money.  The Imron 3.5 High Gloss is a top quality industrial coating, designed for trucks, planes, bridges, marine structures and generally anything that needs a super tough, long lasting paint job.  This is a very economical paint.  The white with the activator is around $100 a gallon, and the dark green is around $160 for the gallon kit.  This is around half the price of a typical 2 part marine urethane paint.

Since my fairing job is not the greatest, and I am ready to move on with project and go fishing instead of filling and sanding, I decided (with advice from Todd and Johnny) to start spraying epoxy primer.  I went to the auto paint store and got 3 gallons of high build, 2 part epoxy primer.

 I am using Maxx Fill 2k epoxy primer, in Buff color.  I hope to get 3 coats on the boat and get a really nice, thick primer to hide the imperfections.  I am not using the spray gun in the picture.  I am going to try to use my HVLP Turbine spray unit that I use for my woodworking projects and see how that does.

I also got a substantial amount of work done on the livewell.  Here it it mocked up with the rod holders, cup holders, lid and tank in place.  I have an access door to service and operate the plumbing valves.  Probably the most complicated livewell around, but it should keep the fish alive!

 Tomorrow I will be spraying the epoxy primer, so hopefully I will have a giant yellowish colored boat this time tomorrow!

When I was in Connecticut, I saw this bait shop with the coolest sign outside.  Here it is, pretty cool, right?!