Redoing An Old Jon Boat

[The Rooster]

I have a friend who has a Jon boat that he'd like to redo. I'm going to be helping him with it. We'd like to add some plywood flooring over the ribs for a smooth surface to stand on. Also, a front and rear casting deck, elevated above floor level. There will be a rod locker in it as well.

For now, to start out with, we'd like to paint it. It has the original green finish on it now, but it's not smooth like paint. It has a textured surface to it, and I thought this might have been some kind of coating applied to the boat to leak proof it. How would you go about painting this? Just rough up the surface with sandpaper and paint over it, or prime it first and then paint? Maybe something else we haven't thought of?

Any help is appreciated. Any suggestions, for paint or otherwise, we are grateful. Some details on the boat. It is 14 feet long and I believe has about a 5 foot beam. It has a tiller steer 18 HP motor. There will be a removable fishing seat on each deck.

[Nitrofreak]

As far as the paint goes you really need to scrape a small area to see if there are multiple coats,  if so,  I would like to suggest getting some aircraft paint stripper,  you can usually pick this up at your local Autozone store,  but first I have a question,   is this project being done with access to the outdoors close by? 

[The Rooster]

What do you mean access to the outdoors close by? Do you mean water to run the boat in? If so, then yes.

[crankbait2009]

I think he may mean outdoors for a well ventilated area since you are using a paint stripper.  (maybe)

[Nitrofreak]

I think he may mean outdoors for a well ventilated area since you are using a paint stripper.  (maybe)

 

Exactly,  I don't want to suggest using something like that without it.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I used the aircraft paint stripper. Do not not not not not Get it on anything you do not want the paint off of!!!! That stuff will make the paint wrinkle in about five minutes and it wipes right off. Also if you get it anywhere on your skin it will burn like you know what. :-). However it is 100% effective.

[The Rooster]

Yes, any paint stripping can be done outside. Is it necessary to strip it though?

[slonezp]

If it's not horrible, scrape off the old loose paint, sand it to scuff it up. Put a zinc phosphate primer on the bare spots, clean it and paint it.  

[The Rooster]

It's actually not bad at all. I don't think the paint is even peeling. He just wants it a different color besides green.