Applying epoxy primer... lay off?

[syfuga]

Just about to apply epoxy primer on top of (prepared) old epoxy protective system, prior to antifouling.

Paint pads do not seem to be available locally (Sardinia). I read somewhere that International have written up a technique where a roller is used to apply the stuff, and it is laid off using a cut of piece of paint roller. Does anyone know where the write up is, or better still have practical experience of applying epoxy primer?

 

[Quandary]

I have painted topsides with two pack and with Toplac, we have also primed under antifoul with Awlgrip and Hempel two pack epoxy primers on various different boats, only two of them mine. The antifoul primer was 5 coats and these were applied with a good quality 4" brush put on in parallel diagonal strokes without laying off, each coat was laid on quite thinly with the brush strokes at right angles to the coat before. It finished smooth enough for a good racing finish. This year we painted a boats topsides with Perfection 2 pack, rolled on horizontally with a 4" roller and laid off vertically stroking off from top to bottom with a pad. Rolled out as thin as practicable , it is definitely a 2 man job even in our low temperatures. With hindsight, it would be better if the laying off strokes had been angled diagonally as above, as you can just about detect the brush stoke direction, but the gloss is high and smooth. Last year I helped paint a mobo hull with Toplac, not as high or hard a finish, in that case the last coat of paint was put on vertically by the owner with a 4" brush and I laid it off horizontally with another. It would have been a lot better if the strokes had been reversed as the vertical lay off gives better wet edge continuity, but I was not in charge of the job. With the two packs the gloss was better and smoother with the addition of 5-10% thinners depending on wind and temperature, with the Toplac we found a small drop of Owatrol in the mix helped smooth application and reduced drag.
For your bottom primer job I am sure that a careful brush layoff will be fine, just use a very light touch. Anyway, you are going to have to hit it with the first coat of antifouling before the last coat of primer goes off.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Just about to apply epoxy primer on top of (prepared) old epoxy protective system, prior to antifouling.

or better still have practical experience of applying epoxy primer?

Hi John

Just finished last month recoating with 5 x International Gelshield 200,1 x primocon, and 2 x Micron Extra.
Used a small 3" roller, the type used for gloss paint (not emulsion type), you 'lay off' with the roller no problem.
Hope this site may also help:-
http://www.boatpaint.co.uk/datasheets/International/InternationalDataSheets.html

Happy painting

Mike

 

[GrahamM376]

Used a small 3" roller, the type used for gloss paint (not emulsion type), you 'lay off' with the roller no problem.

Agree. I've just one last coat of Gelshield 200 + antifoul to do tomorrow. I'm finding 4" short pile (NOT foam) rollers gives a good enough finish without laying off with brush.