1 pack or 2 pack paint for cockpit?

[slawosz]

Hi,
I wonder if I should bother with 2 pack paint to paint cockpit area or for someone who never painted using 2 pack paints and have plenty of jobs before launching in May 1 pack like toplac would be better idea?

 

[Poey50]

If you do it well the vast majority of the effort is in the preparation. If you can take additional care in controlling temperature and humidity then you can achieve a much longer lasting finish with 2 pack. I used International Protection Pro which gave a smooth hard finish with no tipping-off.

 

[earlybird]

I agree that 2-pack gives a very good, hard wearing finish but using it out-of doors in the early part of the year can be problematic. It require a reasonable temperature during its drying period, together with lowish humidity. Otherwise the gloss can be completely lost. Much better in summer months. Toplac is much more tolerant.
Don't forget, you can't coat 2-pack over single-pack.

 

[Thistle]

I wish a previous owner hadn't painted the cockpit (and saloon floor.) The paint is wearing off and looks pretty shoddy. If I do anything with it, it will be to remove it and not replace. I don't see what's wrong with bare fibreglass gelcoat.

 

[geem]

Have you considered gelcoating it?

 

[srm]

Two pack will give a harder surface that will resist scuffing etc. If you use single pack accept that it will need rubbing down and touching up more frequently to keep a fresh appearance.
The cockpit and cabin sides on my boat were painted with two part some time before I bought it in 2009 and has only recently started to show damage in one place, that may be due to poor prep before painting as the rest is still sound.

 

[PTB]

I painted my previous boat topsides with 2 pack which was fine as its a big surface and you can keep a wet edge going OK for a pretty good result even by hand. The cockpit had so many corners and joins that it was impossible to get any continuity with a pad/brush/ tip off . It was also really awkward to avoid leaning on the wet paint as you struggled to be a contortionist. We used toplac in the end which was much more forgiving of discontinuities and actually stood up to quite a bit of abuse. Cockpits get a hammering and any paint finish will get damaged to some extent. Other option is to splash out on 2 pack spraying. Really all depends on the value of the boat wrt how much you invest partic if you go for the gelcoat option which can be superb.

 

[slawosz]

I used International Protection Pro which gave a smooth hard finish with no tipping-off.

Thanks! How did you manage to paint corner and joints? Using roller or brush?

Much better in summer months. Toplac is much more tolerant.
Don't forget, you can't coat 2-pack over single-pack.

Thanks! I am going to wait until April at least. There is nice undercoat from Epifanes that allows spearating 1 pack from 2 pack.

Have you considered gelcoating it?

I believe it would be much too much effort.

Really all depends on the value of the boat wrt how much you invest partic if you go for the gelcoat option which can be superb.

Right, boat is worth very little. Its 50 yo Achilles 24 with plenty of dents here and there but in general structuraly sounf.

 

[Poey50]

Thanks! How did you manage to paint corner and joints? Using roller or brush?

Brush - also gives excellent results with Perfection Pro.

 

[slawosz]

Brush - also gives excellent results with Perfection Pro.

Thanks. Did you use roller for bigger areas (like sides) or all with brush? Does Perfection Pro has different formulation than Perfection?

 

[Poey50]

Thanks. Did you use roller for bigger areas (like sides) or all with brush? Does Perfection Pro has different formulation than Perfection?

Roller for bigger areas, brush for small areas. Yes Perfection Pro is differently formulated - it sort of glides onto the surface and doesn't need tipping off. You have to sign something to say you are in the trade but there is no lie detection equipment involved. Silly really as it is very easy to apply in the right conditions. The only problem may be getting it in small enough quantities for a small project.

 

[V1701]

Was happy with Toplac in cockpit area but wouldn't recommend Hempel Multicoat which I found too soft...

 

[geem]

We have had excellent results with acrylic two pack car paint on interior GRP and wood work. The benefit is is dries faster than conventional marine two packs. It's also cheaper. Worth experimenting with thinners, roller type, tipping etc. It will make a huge difference when you find a good technique and system