Painted Boat Canvas for Color Change

Prosideus

Prosideus

Active Member
Jun 5, 2012
635
Franklin, TN - Old Hickory Lake
Boat Info
1995 220 BR Signature
Prior Boat:
400 Sedan Bridge 1996 Cats 3116
Engines
Mercruiser 5.7
This is the first summer we have owned our boat, and one of the things we wanted to do was change the teal canvas color. The local canvas shop wanted $12k for new canvas. Just for a color change, that was too much money to justify.

Considering that artists paint on canvas all the time, I asked a friend who owns a canvas and awning shop about the idea. He said absolutely fine, use acrylic paint and brush it on to get deep into the fibers.

One weekend, $100, and some child labor we have a new canvas color. It came out great and we couldn't be more pleased. I have attempted to attach before and after pictures....




http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/Prosideus/890ab0b2.jpg




2b2fc5ba.jpg

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From my research, it is my understanding that once the acrylic paint dries, it will not bleed or run. It is the same type paint used for marking sails. I also checked with sunbrella and they recommend acrylic as well. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that my $100 experiment works out as planned....


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can we get some close ups of paint on the canvas. Could you provide a step by step description of your process?

I picked up visor and side windows fairly cheap that are blue and wouldn't mind trying to make them black.
 
Buckeye Boater said:
Looks good! Would you mind sharing what brand of paint you used?
Click to expand...

Sherwin-Williams A-100 exterior acrylic paint, satin finish in Tricorn Black. I used almost two gallons. Amazing how much the fabric absorbed. I power-washed the canvas first. Couple of lessons learned...

1) get the cheapest paint brushes you can, like $0.99. Some in 3" width and some in 1" or less.
2) cut the brush bristles down to about 3/4 inch. This is huge for working the paint in, and overall control of paint application.
3) if you are going to replace any zipper pulls, do it before painting.
4) get brand new blue masking tape and remove as quickly as possible.
5) goo gone is a citric based cleaner that works wonders.
6) the underside of the top canvas had a rubber like feel/coating. So we used foam rollers on that section. Paint this part last because it takes several days to dry.

Hope this helps....

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what affect does the paint have on the canvas when your remove the canvas and store it bundled up?...does the paint crack?

also, what did sunbrella tell you (if anything) about the affect on water repellency after you painted the canvas?...do you still ahve to treat the canvas with HTFG?.....does the paint affect the absorbancy on the HTFG into the canvas?....

thanks...cliff
 
wish2fish said:
can we get some close ups of paint on the canvas. Could you provide a step by step description of your process?

I picked up visor and side windows fairly cheap that are blue and wouldn't mind trying to make them black.
Click to expand...

I will be happy to provide. However it will be a few weeks before we are able to get back to the boat. Once we do, I'll update this thread...


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CliffA said:
what affect does the paint have on the canvas when your remove the canvas and store it bundled up?...does the paint crack?

also, what did sunbrella tell you (if anything) about the affect on water repellency after you painted the canvas?...do you still ahve to treat the canvas with HTFG?.....does the paint affect the absorbancy on the HTFG into the canvas?....

thanks...cliff
Click to expand...

Cliff,

Great questions. On water repellency, I don't expect any problems with the canopy since it has the "rubberized" coating on the underside. Much of the other paint is vertical, so not too worried about those panels. Can tell you that we keep her Ina covered slip and on a lake, so it is much less of a concern for us than probably for others.

I did not specifically research HTFG absorbency after painting. I can tell you that I do not expect the canvas to absorb anything else after painting. My guess is that a water protectant applied after painting would be on top of the paint. But probably not necessary given the coating of paint.

As far as storage and cracking, too new to tell. I can tell you that I have kept them rolled up for a couple of weeks before putting the panels on (except for the canopy) and all seems fine. Kind of like a paint rag or clothes you have painted in. The paint works into the fabric and stays there. Not sure what the future will hold other than the research I have done indicates should be ok. When selecting the paint, then salesman said they could not give me the 10 or 15 year warranty on the paint due to my "non-standard" application. I am sure I have deferred a $12k spend, just not sure how long....

Perhaps some of our forum friends with sailing friends cold comment on paint applied to their sails.




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wish2fish said:
can we get some close ups of paint on the canvas. Could you provide a step by step description of your process?

I picked up visor and side windows fairly cheap that are blue and wouldn't mind trying to make them black.
Click to expand...

Here you go....http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/Prosideus/2f6391f6.jpg

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/Prosideus/ccc10c61.jpg

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/Prosideus/7fcc03d1.jpg

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Stumbled across this thread - I want to change the canvas color and do not want to shell out the $4000 when only $200 repairs are required - I see that this was done two years - how has the paint held up???
 
Stumbled across this thread - I want to change the canvas color and do not want to shell out the $4000 when only $200 repairs are required - I see that this was done two years - how has the paint held up???
 
I have never heard of such a thing. I wonder how it's held up after 2 years ?
 
Great idea, I am going to do ex catty the same, canvas was green , I d like to paint it black as you did, great job looks amazing.
thank you for sharing.
 
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