Glen-L.com

Just finished fiberglassing and put 5 coats of epoxy on the hull of my Malahini and am wanting to paint the bottom a dark red and sides black and want a somewhat glossy finish. Concerned about how smooth the surface should be before paint. I have no runs, but do have some pinholes and what looks like a bit of texture from the foam rollers? Do I need to sand everything smooth and fill any imperfections?

Sand the hull to the recommended grit to a uniform dull gray. I'd try to fill the pinholes before sanding.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

I went for a piano black finish and was very happy with the finish but boy did it take a lot of sanding.
Do try to get it as smooth as pos to start with then when you put the primer on you will be able to see any dips or lumps to fill or sand using a long flat block. It's up to you how much time and effort you put into your finish, to my friends and family every coat looked perfect and they would go mad when I go out and start sanding it again and again,I had no fingerprints for weeks

_________________
Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDVzcVpdhc
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

Yep, sand away and fill as Bill E says. Got any new pictures?

_________________
Bill

I told my wife we needed a three-car garage for my projects...she told me to ask her for permission next time before I buy a house.
http://www.unitybuild.net

Any pin holes or imperfections will show big time through the paint....especially through black.

Get it smooth first like Fergal said, using a guide coat of light dusting of black paint and a longboard to sand with

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

what grit sandpaper do you recommend using to sand the epoxy?

You can be pretty aggressive at first, say 100 grit. Drop back from there. Read the label on your top coat paint. It will tell you what finish sanding you need.

Epoxy bottom paint may say 80 grit for the base coat then 200 grit between coats. Topside PU paints will need a smoother finish.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Need help at this point? Am getting close to finishing the outside of the hull, all plywood. I want to achieve a smooth surface before applying primer. Looking for sanding sealer. Sometime back there were some comments about useing Kilz for this purpose but I am unable to locate. Will not cover hull with fiberglass. Any comments would be appreciated.

Oyster uses Kilz...contact him

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream