Inside hull liner paint?

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TadTV
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Joined: 9/17/16
Posts: 39
Inside hull liner paint?

 Hello all, just got our new to us boat and I want to clean all the down below spaces. Before i start cleaning and fixing Many other items. I've read a few suggestions on how to clean out the grime, but I want to paint all the areas to clean up old stains and make it look fresh. Especially around fuel tank and pumps and places where it has rust and dirt stains from all the years. Battery box areas too. Can I use cheaper rustoleum oil paint or will that harm the fiberglass or should I use gel coat like Catalina recommended? It is a lot more expensive for behind the scene areas. If I use gel coat, I'd like to use just plain white instead of the Catalina seashell tan color. Any cheap white gel coat suggestions. People's thoughts? Thanks. 

Tad Davis
Simpler Times
1989 C-36 MK I #1004
Redondo Beach, Calif.
 

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TomSoko
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Joined: 2/15/07
Posts: 978

Tad,
Congrats on your new "baby"!  You will love her. Before painting, you might want to read a recent post about boat odors:
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/odors-air-quality
After doing a thorough wash and rinse and dry, you might find that many dirt and stains will be gone.  As far as the paint goes, I would not waste the time or effort to use gelcoat for areas of the bilge.  Once you get the area clean, and then prep it for paint (solvent wash, sand, solvent wash, etc.), a good oil based paint should be fine. Maybe choose one that is rated for boat topsides?  My $0.02.
 

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

Tad-
I've experimented with Interlux Brightside Polyurathane White #4359 (a single part top side paint). My 3 year old application in prop shaft and bilge areas is  holding up well. I chipped the peeling factory paint and then wiped down with acetone prior to bush painting with the Interlux. A quart  goes a long way and those two areas look great. I removed everything I could from the bilge prior to painting (float switch, pump, hose for the manual pump, AC strainer etc) Would suggest moving any cushions and rug aside as its easy to unintentionally transfer paint to where you don't want it- no matter how much care you take. 

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 385

Tad,
All the best with your new boat and welcome to the forum.You'll find this is the place to come with your questions - simple or complex and do not be afraid to ask - cause we've all been there.
I had much the same problems when  I purchased hull #1041 a few years ago. I did as Tom suggested, washed all the storage areas, including the bilge, and the painted just about every space I could find.

I wondered if simple Rustoleum oil based paint would do it but I've had some bad experiences with it allowing mold to grow. I sprang for the extra bucks and went with 'Interlux Bilge Paint' and I'm happy I did. It produces a nice hard finish that stands up well to standing water and repeated washing. Take your time and paint the bilge and all storage spaces. You'll find the boat looks and smells better. A few drops of eucalyptus oil, (available at the health food store)  in the bilge will make it smell nice too.
Good Luck with the new boat !
Bill

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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