[mnovelli01]

New owner of a 2004 3100 le and the engine compartment is very dirty.I've cleaned it the best I can and now would like to paint it.Would like to match original color.Has anyone painted bilge to match original color and what type of paint was used? thanks

[Sans Peur]

I used west marine epoxy paint. It went on well and really holds up to the abuse of an engine room.

[Dakota773]

What paint you use isn't the the primary issue. What ever paint used your' have to clean and thoroughly degrease all surfaces that are being painted. This is especially hard in the engine compartment for obvious reasons. It can be done and work out as desired, but there was a lot of extra effort to really get it right, especially in all the tight spaces.

[mnovelli01]

ok thanks.My exhaust hoses are being removed due to cracking and I thought that would be a good time to paint compartment.I will degrease and clean the best I can.I also contacted tiara and they told me They do have a matching gel coat resin.However its $85 a  pint.

[reeltimebrad]

I believe your engine is mostly white gel at least on the hull and stringers. I've used interlux bilge paint on other boats and was really impressed with the coverage and durability. i also used it on my tiara for the engine room floor board and it seemed to match perfectly. Just be very careful with the fumes and leave the blowers running while your down there.

[MC1600]

Ditto on the Interlux. I haven’t used it on my Tiara, but did during an engine pull on my previous boat. Great coverage and durability, but I’ll second the previous comments on fumes and prep work. Old oil/grease will bubble through the paint.

[jclark003]

I just painted my bilge and engines with Awlgrip. It is not forgiving or an easy paint to work with but left an amazing finish.

To prep I used a commercial degreaser multiple times, then used Comet and scotch brite pads until the water would not bead over the surface. Then I used Dawn spray wash, rinsed multiple times with clean water. Had no paint blisters or solvent pops anywhere.

Interlux as referenced above would be my recommendation as well. Awlgrip is not an easy paint to use and the fumes are quite hazardous.

[mnovelli01]

thanks all for the info

[williamwalter]

Ok I’m sure the expensive epoxys are better but as a side note I was painting my engines with rust oleum white when I spilled the pint into the bilge.it was pretty clean so instead of trying to clean it up I decided to spread it with a mini roller.wow looked great and has held up for a couple of years .The only negative is that maybe it will take two coats to cover.