Boat paint

[Larissa]

Hi
We are currently deciding what type of paint to use to paint above the waterline of our boat. As the remaining gelcoat is very thin we were thinking of using a 2-part epoxy primer, which should provide good protection. However is more expensive. Seajet seems to be the cheapest paint available (www.boatpaint.co.uk), but I was wondering if people have had experience with seajet's epoxy primer (117)? And does anyone know of any reasons for going for the slightly more expensive Blake's or International.
The second question: Can you use a one-part paint on top of a two-part primer? Or do you need to be consistent?
Any advice would helpful!
Larissa

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[bob26]

I have always found these people quick to respond to e-mailed paint questions:

www.boatpaint.co.uk

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[Alpha22]

You can 1-pack over 2-pack OK, but not the other way round.

2-pack is much more hard wearing. You will be repainting the 1-pack within 5 years. The 2-pack should last much longer and is far more abrasion resistant.
Think about where sheets, mooring lines etc will rub.

D.

<hr width=100% size=1>Last weekend was shopping darling........ so this weekend is boating. (Duck!)

 

[Evadne]

Re: \"1-pack\" enamel

A couple of coats of Toplac will last more than 5 years, although ordinary yacht enamel rarely lasts more than two. By the time I repainted mine after 8 (I think) it was pretty tatty. Most of that was due to mud staining and scrapes and abrasions. 2-pack may be more abrasion resistant but you'll have to treat the boat as if she was an eggshell not to pick up any marks. Patching up or repainting is not particularly traumatic, whereas painting with 2-pack requires rather more care and I'd be more upset if it got scratched.

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[Benbow]

I have been through the same thought process and I too have decided to go with Toplac this year. The consensus of opinion seems to be that it is hard-wearing and relatively easy to get a good finish, whereas 2-pack is much harder for an amateur to use in a boat yard and still get reasonable results.

But as I say, this is not (yet) based on personal experience.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

I've used Toplac over epoxy primer for quite a few years now. It's very hard-wearing and it's easy to apply. It also sticks well to surfaces that are not perfectly prepared. It's the best long-term/cost effective finish I've found for our boat (and I've tried a few).


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[Larissa]

Thanks for the advice!
We have decided to go for the 2-part primer and a 1-part topcoat and we have just ordered it from Seajet through the boatpaint website.
L


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[Colinl]

http://www.triton381.com/

You should check out the above site. He rebuilt his boat including painting. He has a very detailed site telling you all he did and how with plenty of pictures.

Excellent site you could spend days going through it.

Colin

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