Paint or Labor?

[arcticzale]

Okay, so I've been painting and repairing cars and trucks my entire life and have a question: Should I paint the hullsides on my 282? I'm asking because I love the way clearcoat Imron shines on the water and the upkeep is much less intensive. Thinking about doing this over the winter, the boat looks great and still polishes up really well but I know it can look better. I will likely be upgrading in the spring regardless of what I do over the winter (still waiting on the full Seadek) but am wondering if paint would be more attractive to potential buyers when I do find our new boat. Would anyone on here (the Cobalt 'experts') shy away from a boat with professionally painted hull sides in lieu of one with just the factory gelcoat?

[cmattj]

Having had both I’ll give you my opinion.

Gelcoat ( using my Cobalt as example)

If done by a major builder has layers of polishing. Color sanding and abrasion repair that can be done easily.

Does it dull from UV? Yes
Does it scuff easy from docks and or general runs from covers?. Yes

But full covered hull sides will endure a long time , and proper moisturizer waxes will keep it less pourus and away from chalking.

Paint ....

If original hull sides where prepped ( as you know) and the base primers can adhere properly it can give you great longevity.

Does it clean debris and scum easier. Yes
Does it have less fade in UV ? Yes
But is is difficult to blend or spot in long scratches or gouges yes.

My last Boat had a custom “Mitcher T” 6 color scheme. It was amazing for depth and resistance to spots and scum lines was incredible.

They both have there place so in the end it depends on your ability to maintain and understand what you’ll sacrifice with either.

You have paint experience so of course a stick with a color that’s easy to blend and clear makes sence. ( a color that’s not custom)

I would have a painted hull side by a mfg ( Formula, Donzi, Sunsation)

But I know Cobalts gel coat is unlike ( Sea Ray, chaparral, regal etc) as it will outlast anything I’ve seen.

Depends on ownership and care. As painted boats are excatly like a car ( except for the bottom) . Gel coat is just what we have with Cobalt.

Let’s paint her

[arcticzale]

I appreciate the feedback Matt! My Gelcoat still looks good and I wax it with Flagship premium twice a season at least. I do have to get out the polishing wheel before I store it from the short season's UV rays. I can get the depth of the black to show deeper with paint and that's what I'm looking for so would probably do it without question if I was keeping it around a few more years. Any reason you wouldn't buy one that has been professionally painted knowing that Cobalt has such good gelcoat? (and I know Mitcher T work, it's not my thing as I'm more monotone but appreciate the talent).

Here's how it looks as of last polishing a few weeks ago:

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[cmattj]

Any reason you wouldn't buy one that has been professionally painted knowing that Cobalt has such good gelcoat?

Here's how it looks as of last polishing a few weeks ago:

Looks terrific. And I agree gelcoat is soft and shows every scuff.

My fear as a buyer is did the prep pull the impregnated chemicals and bond a good base.

I would be more apt to purchase from yourself though as you would explain the prep and processes you endured to get the gelcoat to be painted.

I’d be Leary buying from a dealer or private party without that presentation on how it was done. At least you could explain how you did it.

Also I would want to not see clear coat blend lines that weren’t thought out. Obviously you know how to do that.

Nice thing is you could bring your waterline close as the boot strip loss takes away.

I like the idea.

[arcticzale]

Any reason you wouldn't buy one that has been professionally painted knowing that Cobalt has such good gelcoat?

Here's how it looks as of last polishing a few weeks ago:

Looks terrific. And I agree gelcoat is soft and shows every scuff.

My fear as a buyer is did the prep pull the impregnated chemicals and bond a good base.

I would be more apt to purchase from yourself though as you would explain the prep and processes you endured to get the gelcoat to be painted.

I’d be Leary buying from a dealer or private party without that presentation on how it was done. At least you could explain how you did it.

Also I would want to not see clear coat blend lines that weren’t thought out. Obviously you know how to do that.

Nice thing is you could bring your waterline close as the boot strip loss takes away.

I like the idea.

Yeah, explaining prep procedures and materials used won't be a problem. I don't envision many questions about it, but like a lot of classic cars I have done the questions are usually come when there is something that isn't 'factory original.'

Putting this out there more to see whether I'd be turning potential buyers off if wasn't 'original' Cobalt gelcoat. Think it's gonna happen, I'll post as I make some progress. Hopefully the rub rail isn't too hard to get off this thing.

[Big Block Power]

Myself I would buy the gel coat black over your painted black if they were side by side. I can fix gel coat myself the paint I can't. I love my black Cobait no way would I paint her. If it was a formula yep it's painted then paint it. I personally don't think there is much work to my gel. Cleans easy to me. I'm not buying a high-end performance boat with fancy colors. If I was then paint it. If your getting rid of it why waste the time and money. I would think your hiding something. Leave it gel.

[arcticzale]

Myself I would buy the gel coat black over your painted black if they were side by side. I can fix gell coat myself the paint I can't. I love my black Cobait no way would I paint her. If it was a formula yep it's painted then paint it. I personally don't think there is much work to my gel. Cleans easy to me. I'm not buying a high-end performance boat with fancy colors. If I was then paint it. If your getting rid of it why waste the time and money. I would think your hiding something. Leave it gel.

I enjoy projects, so the time and effort is more therapeutic than a nuisance to me. Costs of materials are minimal, hell it'll be less than what I just spent on Seadek. Making this thing look it's best for a new home is where my intent is.

But you're saying exactly what I was concerned about. So maybe just a good color sand and polish is in order. I'm somewhat torn. I don't want to spend what I'll spend on the new boat but truly our desires are changing and so will the way we want to spend our time on the water so it's going to happen. Thanks for the feedback BBP, appreciate it.

[Big Block Power]

Sorry to take your fun away. If you want to paint something my little clown car needs some nice paint work