Interior Cabin Paint

[Jolly Dodger]

If you love the tan interior color of the Mac then DO NOT read any further...

I dislike the tan color; my wife hates it. We agreed before buying the boat that before we replaced the moldy mattress and cushions, we'd paint the inside. I did a *fair bit of internet sleuthing and decided I would prime and then paint with high gloss latex. We're not too fussed by finish and just wanted a brighter, whiter color. The plan was for a 6 - 8 day job spread over 3 weekends. We prepped (cleaned, washed, taped, and removed fixtures) and painted on the primer (*Kilz) and called it done for the first or second weekend. When we returned next weekend, we realized that the primer was not holding . We have now spent the last 3 weekends scraping EVERY bit of primer off. There is no going back to the tan as that is scratched and scuffed. The only path forward is to resume my paint job.

My proposed plan is as follows:
- Sand the entire surface to roughen properly
- Clean thoroughly
- Use a marine grade primer (one part)
- Paint as intended, using foam rollers.

Any experience / thoughts that could change my plan and thereby save my marriage as I don't think we have a second scrape down in us?

* = not enough research...

[Jimmyt]

I don't love the fifty shades of beige interior, but I built my new galley to match it, because I knew what changing the color would involve. Bless both of your hearts!

I hate that you guys went through that. Glad the Admiral allowed you a do-over in lieu of putting a for sale sign on the boat (with you in it).

I tend to buy paint from sources specific to the job, with knowledge of what works with the substrate, and with the various coatings to be applied.

Marine paint isn't cheap, but what would you pay to be finished now instead of starting over? I'd get a marine topside paint system (primer, additives, and topcoat). I don't care for latex paint, except in house interiors.

There are some porch floor paints that are rumored to be equivalent to a marine formulation. If I was going to try to go cheap, and wasn't too concerned with the outcome, I might go to a good paint store and see if they thought their porch paint would adhere to fiberglass/gelcoat.

Whatever I bought, I'd get an additive (or additives) to allow it to layout before drying so it would look reasonably good.

Good luck. And post pics and whatever paint system you go with. If you can get a good, long lasting, finish using gloss latex; I'll be amazed. But, I don't know everything; and I've been amazed before!

Also, if you go with anything other than a marine paint designed to adhere to gelcoat, think about getting a pint and doing a test area before committing to the whole interior. That way, if it fails, you won't have lost too much time, money, or effort.

[Neo]

What kind of Primer did you use?
If I wasn't using a spray gun I'd "Roll and Tip" the paint on.

I prefer white too and I have considered getting the interior Vinyl Wrapped (same as the wrapping done on cars) ... Yes it's not cheap (but neither is marine primer and paint) but it is fairly resilient to scuffs.

Please post up some photos here when you've finished.

[Jimmyt]

Kilz. Didn't say whether it was oil or water based though...

[NiceAft]

I livened up the cabin by simply putting down a lively carpet and some toss pillows.

I bought some remnants and had them cut to fit. I used the old carpets as templates. I just placed the new on top of the old; softer on the feet.

[Neo]

I bought some remnants and had them cut to fit.

Gosh, now why didn't I think of that .... We have some off cuts (from carpet recently laid in our house) just hanging around.

[Inquisitor]

Got several independent comments...

1. Two summers ago I used Kilz primer on a well prepped and sanded steel house door and on wood steps. Let them thoroughly cure and painted a good oil-based paint on the steel door and the deck/garage floor paint over the wood steps. The steps started peeling almost right away. The door about six months later. I've used the same floor paint on... both exposed wood and garage concrete without primer and had no problems. I'll never used Kilz again... on ANYTHING!
2. I always heard that Corvettes (at least back in the 70s and I never had one) were PITA to paint and the stuff always started chipping / flaking off. The smooth fiberglass has something to do with it. Maybe they found a formulation that finally sticks... might check with automotive.
3. I painted the bilge with https://www.lowes.com/pd/Valspar-Base-2 ... 1000381317 ($30/gallon) in October. Its a polyurethane base and you know how well Gorilla glue sticks to everything you don't want it to. You can tint using any of the house colors you want. It might have been it starting to get chilled here, but it took a month for it not to stink us out even with box fans at both hatches. In Houston, it might cure a lot faster. So far it seems to be pretty tough stuff... threw the batteries back on top of it and water has pooled in areas with no issues.
4. Did you roughen up the fiberglass... I'd go over it with about 80 grit on a palm sander very lightly just to totally scratch it up to give the paint something to bite into.

[Jolly Dodger]

Thanks everyone for the useful insights.

I am going to use Jimmyt's advice and apply the right product for the right application which means use the proper (4x$$$) marine primer (after I have scraped, sanded, and washed all the surfaces). I will let that sit and cure properly before rushing into the next phase. The battery cover is going to be my test strip as I can take it out and bring it home with me to test and experiment on (the boat is down at the docks).

For completeness sake, this is the KILZ https://www.walmart.com/ip/KILZ-3-Premi ... acQAvD_BwE I used originally.

Inquisitor, I primed the bilges and then used the porch paint you referred to. Hopefully the KILZ doesn't result in those peeling but for now they are holding up and look awesome. I only did the ones under the benches and V so maybe I will do the ones under the aft berth without primer and see which ones hold up better.

If none of this works, I plan to lock the hatch and use the boat as a day sailer.

[Russ]

I hate that you guys went through that. Glad the Admiral allowed you a do-over in lieu of putting a for sale sign on the boat (with you in it).

^^^ This. My wife would have kicked both of us to the curb.

I have used porch paint on the storage areas under the seats. It keeps the glass shards and dust down and brightens it up. So far it's worked well. Much cheaper than marine paint.

Before painting Gelcoat, I think it's important to prepare the surface.
At the factory, I'm pretty sure they spray some wax or oil or something to keep the Gelcoat from sticking to the mold. This certainly would remain and prevent paint from adhering as well.

Besides roughing up the surface, I would also wipe it with a dewaxer or some such product.

[Jolly Dodger]

Russ, my wife has been incredibly good natured about it. But, I believe that I have used up my error-credits. I am going to have to do my research very thoroughly before I replace the head!

I will sand, wash, and use some solvent to degrease and dewax. Then start over.

[Inquisitor]

... I am going to have to do my research very thoroughly before I replace the head!

I had the port-a-potty for a decade and hated every moment of it. I'm not willing to do the marine head / macerator / tank / pump-out gambit. I've ordered an AirHead https://airheadtoilet.com/. It should show-up sometime in January (COVID). They hurt the purse, but also, probably won't fit in the stock-M position. Too tall. When I get to that project, I'll update my thoughts on it. Several other people on the forum swear by the composting toilets (AirHead and Nature's Head) being the ones most sited. Unfortunately, I believe they're all X drivers that have more room in the head. I'd be interested where your research leads you. Let us know.

[Russ]

I had the port-a-potty for a decade and hated every moment of it. I'm not willing to do the marine head / macerator / tank / pump-out gambit. I've ordered an AirHead https://airheadtoilet.com/. It should show-up sometime in January (COVID). They hurt the purse, but also, probably won't fit in the stock-M position. Too tall. When I get to that project, I'll update my thoughts on it. Several other people on the forum swear by the composting toilets (AirHead and Nature's Head) being the ones most sited. Unfortunately, I believe they're all X drivers that have more room in the head. I'd be interested where your research leads you. Let us know.

Might want to look at

https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=2041
https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=1695
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24936&p=308067&hili ... ad#p308067

[Inquisitor]

https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=2041
https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=1695
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24936&p=308067&hili ... ad#p308067

Hadn't seen the C-Head.

For as simple as they are, I think if I didn't already have the order in, I'd consider trying to make my own and save $1K. One YouTube couple used a 5 gallon HomeDepot bucket for several years until some marine head company sent them a free, electric one to advertise in their vids. They never went into details of the HD bucket, but really the only significant concepts are:

• Keeping 1 and 2 separated.
• Mixing device for 2 and coconut husk/peat moss
• An exhaust fan (computer fan) and sealing the seat enough so you get a partial vacuum in the bucket and blow it overboard.

[Jimmyt]

For as simple as they are, I think if I didn't already have the order in, I'd consider trying to make my own and save $1K. One YouTube couple used a 5 gallon HomeDepot bucket for several years until some marine head company sent them a free, electric one to advertise in their vids. They never went into details of the HD bucket, but really the only significant concepts are:

• Keeping 1 and 2 separated.
• Mixing device for 2 and coconut husk/peat moss
• An exhaust fan (computer fan) and sealing the seat enough so you get a partial vacuum in the bucket and blow it overboard.

Would have enjoyed watching you put one together. You've definitely got the game to pull one off. How's the dagger board coming along?

[Jimmyt]

Russ, my wife has been incredibly good natured about it. But, I believe that I have used up my error-credits. I am going to have to do my research very thoroughly before I replace the head!

I will sand, wash, and use some solvent to degrease and dewax. Then start over.

I'm glad Russ mentioned that. Mold release will prevent new finish from sticking... Seems like your plan is coming together.