Marine paint that matches C-Dory exterior "white"?

S

Sunbeam

Active member
Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone has found a good exterior marine paint color match for the C-Dory "white" of the outside of the boat (I checked the archives and found info on a good match for the interior cabinetry, so that's filed away for reference :thup).

I'll explain why, because otherwise I would expect people to recommend I use gelcoat. Actually, I have purchased some gelcoat by using the code numbers I found here, and it's a perfect match, so that's sweet. In this case, I have something I would just prefer to paint. I'm installing a Mini-Jacker for the second engine, and it comes with a built up plywood pad for the inside. I've coated the whole thing in neat epoxy (lots of end grain!), but now would like to paint it - slightly for looks, but mostly because epoxy and UV do not play well together. Sure, it doesn't need to match exactly, but before I go ahead and order some EasyPoxy, Brightsides, or similar (they have a number of whites that look like they might work), I figured I'd see if anyone had determined which one was the best color match. Once I have a can, I may use it for some other (non-gelcoat) projects I have in mind, such as a splashwell table - so a nice match would be preferable to just any-old white.

I'm way out in the sticks at the moment, so would prefer to find a color I can just order (the UPS truck does come out this far :D), since I will be mounting the Mini-Jacker soon (before I would get to a town with a big paint store). It will be a lot easier to paint that plywood pad before I mount it.

Thanks,
Sunbeam :hot
 
Once you have the color figured out go to home depot for the paint. The one by my house is now carrying marine paints for 1/2 to 1/3 the price of any of the Marine stores. My father used both paints and none skids that he bought at home depot to complete several projects on his boat this last year. All worked really well and cost far less.
 
West Marine has Interlux topside paint that has a Hatteras Off-white that is close. I used it for the wooden door on my current C-Dory cruiser. It is spendy, but it covers well, goes far, and lays flat and smooth. Can be brushed on with good results. Ron
 
You can also use the pigment which is used for gel coat and epoxy to color most of the easypoxy/brightside type of paints to give the final touch up to exactly match the color of the gel coat. Generally a slight amount of yellow and brown in a pure white paint will come very close--you have to add a few drops at a time, mix and then dab. You may also want a primer on the epoxy to give better adhesion even after washing off the amine, and a light sanding.
 
digger":1swmx314 said:
West Marine has Interlux topside paint that has a Hatteras Off-white that is close.
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Thanks for that info, Ron. I was looking at their color chart earlier and I never would have guessed the Hatteras Off-White would have been the best one - It looks so dark/orangey. I would probably have chosen "White" or "Off-White." But that's one reason I asked - it's not that easy to choose based on the computer monitor, and I'm a long way from any real color chips (like you can view at West Marine, etc.). So it's good to have input from someone who has actually used it and compared it in real life.

Here is their color chart, btw:

64.jpg

As far as price goes, I don't mind spending a little extra for the Interlux, because by the time I get done with all the time it takes, plus brushes, thinners, etc.... the cost of the paint is not a big factor. I think I did talk myself down from the two-part LPU though :D

Sunbeam
 
You know, it is possible that the age of the boat may slightly impact the gel color. The color chart does not look quite correct, but the color I used is what I said, and it is close to the dory gel. It is possible that the hatteras may be a bit yellower, and the off-white a little lighter. Perhaps they have samples you can purchase smaller than the quart size.
 
digger":tqr6hjw1 said:
You know, it is possible that the age of the boat may slightly impact the gel color. The color chart does not look quite correct, but the color I used is what I said, and it is close to the dory gel. It is possible that the hatteras may be a bit yellower, and the off-white a little lighter. Perhaps they have samples you can purchase smaller than the quart size.
Click to expand...

That Hatteras Off-White does look really dark on that chart, doesn't it? I wonder if they have changed the color or something. I think my gelcoat is still pretty much "new" color, because I ordered some gelcoat using the factory tint code, and it matches perfectly.

Oh for a real color chip!

Sunbeam
 
One thing to think about the next time you add something to your boat that requires cutting a hole. Place the scrap in a small Ziploc bag and label it, then place it in your workshop for future reference. Of course the down side of a boat getting old outside it that the boat will fade and the bagged sample will not...
This trick has saved a few night of restless sleep, as I have samples bagged for most of my boats.
 
bcassal":2i36lo9t said:
Petit ezepoxy (sp?) ,not an epoxy, off white is a dead match for carpy
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Great info - thanks :thup

Edited to add: Looking at the color chart, I see that - like the "Hatteras Off White," by Interlux, mentioned above by digger as another match - the color chip looks totally off on the digital color chart. Weird how they both skew to darker/yellower, at least on my monitor. You'd never guess that either of them were going to match!

1329s.jpg

Brightsides and Easypoxy are roughly equivalent paints, both being essentially an alkyd paint that's marketed as a "one-part polyurethane." I wouldn't paint my whole boat with them (would use a two-part paint), but for the plywood Mini-Jacker backing plate, or similar added item, it will be fine.

I also appreciated the idea to take a gelcoat chip (I have a nice "bottom of the cup" puck from when I mixed some of the new stuff up the other day) and have it matched at a good paint store. If I were anywhere near a town with a paint store, I would.

Thanks,
Sunbeam
 
Since this thread came back up, I just thought I would mention that (on Carpy's good advice) I did purchase some of the Pettit Easypoxy (modified alkyd) paint in "off white," and, just as he said, it is an excellent match for the C-Dory "white" gelcoat color. When repairing gelcoat I still like to re-gelcoat, but I used this paint for a couple of accessories I made (splashwell tray, splashwell swim-step bridge, etc.) and it is indeed an amazing match. Thanks again!
 
Sunbeam.........

I used off white Easy Poxy on my cabin doors and weather sheild on the bacl of the cabin on my 22' CD. That was 20 yrs ago and it still looks acceptable and it is a dead match in color. Great stuff to apply using a brush.

Homerjack......

I checked with the Homer Boat Yard to price blasting my bottom paint off and re-gelcoating the bottom. $125/ft.

Jack in Alaska
 
Hi,
Don't mean to change the conversation color, but I'm trying to find the original blue color on the cape dory 25, 1977. The color swatches in the feed are helpful in finding something close to the original, but I sure would like the original color. Not sure where to look. It's not mentioned in my manual.

Thanks!
Lisa
 
Lisabr":2fa6of00 said:
Hi,
Don't mean to change the conversation color, but I'm trying to find the original blue color on the cape dory 25, 1977. The color swatches in the feed are helpful in finding something close to the original, but I sure would like the original color. Not sure where to look. It's not mentioned in my manual.

Thanks!
Lisa
Click to expand...

Odds are than after 35 years, your boat's blue color does not match the original either.
 
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