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I am looking into types of coatings for my 1973 outrage project. I would like to ask the community for your input on Awlgrip paint. If you have had your boat sprayed:

How long ago was it done?

What color did you choose?

How many coats were applied?

How well has it stood up to regular use?

Has there been any peeling or cracking?

Does it hold a shine?

Would you recommend this product to another Whaler owner?

Please try to give me as much info as possible. I am very attached to the gel-coat on my Montauk but have seen some incredible results on different projects that were painted with Awlgrip. My biggest concern would be how well does it withstand regular wear / tear and when you get a scuff can it be buffed sanded and buffed like gel-coat.

Thanks for all your input in advance -- I really want to hear from you guys that have it on your boat now or in the past.

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It is going to depend on how you want to us the boat.

I would suggest you drop my friend Jason an email about the awlgrip. He has done a lot of boats with it as well as gelcoat. He gave me a lot of great info on the two but my mind just did not retain it all.

Here is his info. He goes by Trayder here as well as on Classicseacraft.com which is a site he runs.

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I had a bad epoxy paint job on my whaler. It was stripped off and primed then sprayed with 3 coats of Awlgrip.
It can be a beautiful finish if it is done professionally. It is very hard finish. I was told to remember that it "is" paint, not factory gelcoat. Though not as good as new gelcoat factory finish off the showroom, it can make a boat look like new again. Check my homepage for pictures.
Hope this helps.
mahalo,
jimB)

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No matter what people say AwlGrip is more durable than gelcoat.

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Rich,

What do you mean when you say Awlgrip is more durable than gelcoat?

Mike

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I want to preface what I'm about to say with the statement that I am in no way personally experienced with applying Awlgrip, or it's long-term durability.

However, I do know a thing or two about gelcoat. I would say that the main difference between gelcoat and any paint, is that gelcoat is thicker, and when it's scratched or dinged, it only reveals more of the same material below. Paint, no matter what kind, when scratched or dinged, is likely to flake off, revealing the non-colored material beneath. So, sure Awlgrip paint itself may be more durable, but in practical application, the somewhat softer consistency of gelcoat increases it's longevity and durability. Gelcoat can be sanded, buffed, and polished up to look brand new for many many years, while it is my understanding that the life of an Awlgrip paintjob is less than ten years.

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I have a different take on paint and gelcoat. After painting three boats the exact same way, I am very happy with it. I paint it just like a high end car. Naturally this is for paint above the waterline and is a schedule of 2 coats base black epoxy, 2 base coats of sikkens 2 part urethane and 3 coats of clear. Change the epoxy base color and a huge scatch will never show if it happens. This also allow you to paint dark hulls if you like, as they do not fade. Although there is some talk that whalers should not be painted extremely dark due to foam temperature problems.

Gelcoat over time becomes porous and requires more and more upkeep. My schedule seals the gelocat so it can't degrarde and yes clear coat is extremely hard and stands up to about anything. I have hit my sides many a time with downrigger balls to no effect. Further if you abraide it with a dirty fender a bit of cleaner wax brings it right back. Mine recent hull was done in a local auto body shop here in fla for about $100 a foot - it would be more if you neeed prep but my boat was brand new. We have also done a new outrage the same way in detroit just by finding the right shop. Mine going on 3 .5 years with no wax at all:
[IMG]http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h307/gersly123/DSC00006Small.jpg[/IMG]

I have also heard that some like Awlcraft betten than Awlgrip as it repairs and glosses better....

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In ten years if left in the Florida sun, gelcoat becomes dull and porus, and hard to clean. It needs to be sanded, compounded, and what all you have to do to make it look good again, but it will never look new. Awlgrip will tend to dull out. To make it look good it will need to be repainted. And then you have new again. Choose your poisons, nothing lasts forever.:(

rich

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Rich,

I have come to agree that nothing is going to last forever. I need to remember that I intend on using this as a fishing and pleasure boat. It will show signs of use no matter what type of surface I go back with. I would assume you can sand out and shoot areas that get scuffed or scratched.