Algrip Paint

S

Searaybio270

Active Member
Jul 8, 2010
1,058
Bush River on the Cheasapeake Bay
Boat Info
1996 EC, Garmin 3210, Dinghy - Seadoo Jet boat with twin 85 horse. Fun and Fast.
Engines
7.4 MC 360 HP each
Westerbeke 7KW
Before I post this - I did search to for Algrip and paint not much so I am posting this here.

I have two other boats besides the 400EC. I have a 1988 SeaRay 270 Sundancer. I am thinking that I would like to paint the boat with the Algrip paint. I have been doing some reading and watching some videos about the paint and the process.


So before I do - do you guys have any thoughts, ideas, recommendations before I start down this course.
thanks, Joe
 
Not sure yet on who will do it. Me or someone else. Still working on that.

Was it hard to work with? Prep? Painting and getting it smooth? Are you pleased with the results? Anything you can add will be helpful.
 
If you search "algrip" there is only 4 entries. If you sear "Awlgrip" there are 4 pages of entries. That might help.

Pete
 
I had someone paint my boat for me as there is no way I am going to paint a 40' boat. Is it hard to work with? It is time consuming but mostly the prep work is just tedious. 90% prep, 10% actual painting. My boat was rolled and tipped. If you don't know what that is do a search. You can either spray or roll and tip. If you have someone that know roll and tip, it will look much better in my opinion as it will not orange peel. It is an art to roll and tip for sure. I am incredibly pleased with the end results and many people have expressed the same when the look at the boat as it does look almost factory sprayed for 1/4 the money.
 
Thanks for the info. My wife's cousin has been in the business of painting cars and boats for years. I have a little more research to do and then I can sit and talk with him.
I'll start with my 270 Sundancer and then the 400EC.
 
From what I am told and I don't have any experience in either, but those that paint cars have a hard time with awlgrip the first couple of times. Don't know why but I have been told that by quite a few people. Something about how it shoots, thickness whatever. But of course if he has used awlgrip before, never mind.
 
I called him this morning on my way in to the office and told him I may want to paint the 270SR. I asked if I do what would you use. Awlgrip, he replied. It's all I use. He asked me if I remember the "go fast boat" and the 34ft SR he showed me two years ago. He did both paint jobs and the "GFB" was beautiful.
Of course with the engine issue I am still having I am sure my paint job will look like I did it. LOL
 
Awlgrip can be sprayed, but it is a little less straightforward than shooting Imron. All the variables are different....temperature, viscosity, pressure, flow rate, type of reducer, mils of paint applied, etc., but done by someone with experience there is no orange peel and the end result is glossier than polished gelcoat. Overspray must be managed, because you aren't going to remove Awlgrip easily. Gloss retention with Awlgrip is superb and it is so hard that you can't knock it off the boat with a hammer. The down sides are that it is difficult to spot repair. That nail scrape from the edge of the dock is an easy $100 fix in gelcoat , but with Awlgrip, the boat needs to be hauled out and the repair area tented to control overspray. Awlgrip is also very expensive. It has a finite life, so once you Awlgrip the boat, you start the clock on repainting. Paint life can be extended with regular waxing just to clean the surface. The Hatteras owners around here figure 7-10 years before repainting, but we rebuilt the seat bases in our old 390EC and Awlgripped them. Nine years later when we sold the boat, the painted surface looked like the day it was done, but the seats were under the canvas and had some sun protection.

Sure makes a pretty boat........just figure out all the negatives ahead of time.
 
My hull sides (approx 1' wide) was painted with Awlgrip approx 5-6 years ago. It still looks new. I just hit it lightly with some cleaner wax a couple times a season.
 
Jim,

thanks for the info. The more my 400EC gives me trouble the more likely the 270 Sundancer is going to get a paint job.
Joe
 
It looks good. If I can get the 400EC running I'll paint the other or I'll just paint the other and the heck with the 400EC
 
Here is mine when it was finished, still looks like now. Trick to awlgrip or any paint is to NOT wax it. Even says that on their website.
PhotoDec2724220PM-800.jpg
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trit21 said:
Here is mine when it was finished, still looks like now. Trick to awlgrip or any paint is to NOT wax it. Even says that on their website.
Click to expand...
Ditto.... I have been told to NEVER wax Awlgrip, and as you say, it is right on their own marketing materials. Any yard that deals in applying Awlgrip should know this and advise their customers accordingly.
 
and I was sold when they told me to NOT wax it. Because I hate waxing. I am thinking of painting the top side too but that brings up whole lot of issues with non skid, cockpit painting, helm painting etc. Someone told me he top coated his boat with clear awlgrip but not sure about that one. Have to look into it. Why more manufacturers don't use paint instead of gelcoat I will never know.
 
Hey thanks Guys, The boat look great. I too am tired of the waxing game. I love how it looks but it doesn't last long.
As for painting the top - I found a YouTube video on Awlgrip painting and he was painting all the non-skid stuff so I am thinking it might be ok. Of course more research first.
I look for the video and see if I can post it to this thread.
 
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