Is it cheaper to paint your boat your self or to get it done by a pro when all is said and done?

Question

We just purchased a 20 year old speed boat and the paint has faded. I would like to repaint it for my husband and I want to do it the cheapest way I can. I am going to paint it a solid dark blue if that helps.

Answer 1

Pro would almost always be more expensive. Most paint from a can will not have the UV protection you are looking for. However, you could always buy a somewhat low cost spray gun (a lot of people are going HVLP...Harbor Freight has the gun for cheap) and have a local paint shop mix up some paint. In pro paint jobs it's really the labor cost that makes them so expensive. Also, you might talk with a local body shop and see if they would cut you a break if you did all the prep work. Just remember this if you paint it yourself...any imperfections in the hull will be magnified greatly when paint is put on them.

Answer 2

A lot of unknowns here.......fiberglass, wood, aluminum, size??  Don't try to DIY if it is fiberglass.  Wood & aluminum would have to be sanded and primed. Could be a big job. Get advise from someone close that has experience. Good luck.

Answer 3

It will be cheaper to do it yourself,but it is a huge task. You could easily put 40 hrs into sanding and prepping. I seen some stuff at a local boat store for the doit yourselfer and i seen a boat that it was used on and it looked like it was brand new. It didnt even need to be sprayed on,it was actually rolled on with a special paint roller and all that needed done to prep the boat was a light sanding and cleaned with mineral spirits and they rolled 2 coats of paint on and a sealer.

Answer 4

it depends on what the boat is made of but its always gonna be cheaper to do it your self but the results may very if it metal that sand smooth and primer and if its fiber glass you ll have to sand through the geal coat and then pait and then re geal

Answer 5

Of course it's cheaper to do it yourself. A lot cheaper.

You might want to reconsider the color though. Dark blue will get hot. Real hot, hot enough to burn you when you touch it. That is why the original color on the topside of most boats is white.

Answer 6

If you can follow directions, you just might do a better job than the vast majority of the 'pro's'. And it is WAY cheaper to do it yourself.

Reconsider the dark color (depending on where you live... hot or cold?). If you 'cook' your boat, you'll have issues later on.

Most 'pro's' on the waterfront where I work don't give a t**d about anyone's boat... FACT!

It depends on if you are a competent 'Do it yourselfer' or not.

Remember, follow the directions with whatever materials you use.

Answer 7

In the long run it would be better to get it done by a pro. It should be sanded and regelled and that is not something that an untrained person can just do.