Carver Owners Forum

Hello,
I am doing some refreshing my 2001 Carver 396. I would like to paint some portions of my bilge. I would like to match the orginal flat grey paint. I see the availible bilge paint out there seems to be gloss. Does anyone one know what paint may match the original flat gray paint?
Any information wouls be appreciated.
Thanks

Carver used a lot of Interlux brand products at that time. One reason they used grey, is so you could see evidence of any stress cracking easily. Especially near the stringers and motor mounts. Don't get too thick, because you may see cracks that are paint related rather than stress evidence. Good luck! er

I suspect what you're looking at is gelcoat, not paint. I don't know what colour was used but you could get a colour match done. Gelcoat is the best way to go, it's more expensive but will outlast paint. You could use paint though, it's cheaper and easier to work with. The key is proper prep or it'll eventually peel/flake off.

For gelcoat, contact Spectrum Color in Florida, they carry Carver colours. They probably have the specs for what Carver used and can mix a batch if they don't have it on the shelf..... https://spectrumcolor.com/

I believe it is possible to add/mix in a deglosser to gloss paint....check with the supplier as to what to use for the brand you select.

I agree though, the bilge will have to be prepped very well ( read very clean).

When I had my boat, you could see evidence around things like the bulkheads to show they sprayed the grey paint in the bilge. I bought some Grey Interlux Bilgecoat and it matched very well, even though the old paint was over a decade old. The color was the same but you could definitely tell where there was old paint and new paint.

Years later I got some more Grey bilge paint (different brand - forgot who now) but it turned out to be a lighter shade so it would not have matched, but luckily the areas I was repainting were in the aft cabin so you couldn't really tell that it was lighter than the engine room.