Painting the exterior

[Ken James]

Okay, we've had a number of threads concerning painting these little eggs. We have done several ourselves, from brush painting to having them painted professionally. The body shop is the best to be sure. However, my better half (who has far more patience than I), just finished doing the Trillium. I'm completely blown away at how nice it turned out. We saved $1,000 and didn't lose much in doing so.

She used a quality small roller loaded with Brightside Interlux Marine Enamel. It took 3 coats but I think you'll agree it is almost as good as the body shop. That paint flows nicely and doesn't leave roller marks. Cost $130 Canadian and a lot of humility on my part.

[AndyW]

Very nice.
What kind of prep work did you do? Was she doing the roll and tip thing or just rolling it on?

[Ken James]

Andy, she just lightly sanded the surface and taped it off before rolling on the paint. There was some trouble with small hairs from the roller pulling out if the sun was too hot. I suggest doing it indoors would be a big help.

[AndyW]

Did she just do three coats of Interlux, or were one or two primer?

[Ken James]

All 3 were Interlux Andy.

[Per Walthinsen]

Ken and Di:
Looks great! I'm encouraged, because I did the shower pan with the very same paint, liked what I saw, and the plan is to eventually paint my Burro the same way.
Dried glossy and smooth and hard. Repairs should be much easier after such a paint job, and the color matching problem is no longer an issue. Less likely to fade and absorb stains too. Outstanding work!

[Gina D.]

I did mine with a roller too. I figured I would NEVER get a smooth finish, so I used a slightly textured roller and a high gloss PPG paint.

It does not look auto shop fresh, but I am pleased with how it looks.

Took two coats on mine, and it been a year. There are some rock chips and areas I need to detail better, but all in all, it worked out.

BTW, it was completely sanded to get the gloss off the old gel coat, but that worked as a great primer itself.

[potteralice]

beautiful job!!!

[Bob Cupp]

The Interlux Brightside paint is great stuff. They advertise that you can roll it on and it really works. The price seems high but when looking at the results, it is a bargain.

[Darren C]

That paint flows nicely and doesn't leave roller marks.

Hey! Likewise, just finished painting my Boler with a high-density foam and marine paint ... I like the color and the finish is ok, but no where near as nice as yours ... how think where you coating the paint - in ours, you can definately see the roller marks. Clearly

So I'm wondering if
a) your paint was better
you used a better roller
c) you used thinner coats
d) you have a great painter in your wife! ( )


?

[Ken James]

Darren, I have to give a nod to all of the above. Yes Di did a pains-taking job on the trailer

We did use a quality paint and the best foam roller we could buy. I share the pictures because a number of FGRV members want to paint and the cost discourages them - this was relatively inexpensive.

[CliveAlive]

Darren, I have to give a nod to all of the above. Yes Di did a pains-taking job on the trailer

We did use a quality paint and the best foam roller we could buy. I share the pictures not to brag but simply to show folks who want to paint, and begrudge the body shop price, that there is hope.

I am very glad that you posted this. Given the condition of my Boler, even after what I plan on doing to re-fit it, the cost of doing this oneself is in line with what I want to invest in it.

I think the Interlux paint was once featured in a Boat program on TV here a while ago and it grabbed my interest then.

Very nice work.

[Chester Taje]

I did this one using same method as Ken.

[Chester Taje]

For paint i used Tremclad RV White,It is a creme color.