Confused about topsides paint...

Kelpie

Kelpie

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The time has come to repaint the faded and damaged dark blue topsides. Last painted by the previous owner around five years ago, in a Blakes/Hempel one pack gloss.

I've done a bit of reading up and have decided that returning to gelcoat, or using a 2-pack system, are off the table. This will be a one pack job with the emphasis on ease of application and touchup. The boat will be out in the open with limited working time available. I am hoping that by tackling the job at this point in the year I will stand a better chance of getting a good finish than if I put it off till the middle of winter.

Question 1- what should I use for filling the various dings?
Question 2- what paint system to go for? I've used Toplac in the past, and it's the obvious choice, but I didn't find it very easy to work with and of course it is quite expensive. Some people rave about Dulux Weathershield as a cheaper and easier to use option, but colour choice is a bit limited. I've seen some people recommend Tekaloid as well.
Question 3- how much paint will I need for a 33ft yacht (are we talking 2l, 5l??)
Question 4- roller or brush application? Brush or foam brush for laying off?
Question 5- I'm also going to be doing the antifoul and adding a boot top- in what order should I approach all of this?

Thanks for any advice :)
 
I’ve just done my coachroof in Toplac out in the open. Not easy especially as even a light breeze dries it faster than you can tip it off. You also need to be careful about timing between coats otherwise you need to keep rubbing down.
 
Hi just finished my 42ft custom moody ketch topsides in opal blue with toplac I used 1, 2.5 litre paint two coats , but did put an under coat primer x 2 coats on the old rubbed down midnight blue paint, then sanded with 240 grit
i used a cheap Band Q small foam roller as the main lay up and then used a quality brush(very important) to tip it of , the idea being very light using the tip of the brush , I found toplac easy to work with with 5% diluting with the correct primer especially in this heat , I had no issues outdoors doing this picked out any debris if any ! and tipped the paint, if you are comftable working with gloss paint at home and varnish then this is exactly the same the key is to spread the paint , from a few feet away the paint looks sprayed on and only by close examination will you see its not a professional job , but either is my house but it looks good to me and SHMBO so in the good books
dont really know about boat top as decided not to put one on this season sorry
 
Thinking outside the box. How about respraying using car paint aerosols, base and clear-coat. High gloss finish, very durable and not a lot more expensive than marine paint. This is the chosen route for some boat builders (although obviously not using aerosols!)
 
I have always used International - Toplac for the last two major paint jobs (at 10 year approx intervals) Dark Blue 105 which does not show any sign of fading even after 10 years.

The secret is in the preparation as always with paint jobs. rub down the old coat to a matt finish and fill and fair with International Watertite Two coats minimum of Pre-Kote flattened down to an even matt finish with 240 grit. Two coats of top coat applied by 2 1/2" brush either on your own making sure you keep a wet edge or two people, one applying and the other tipping. latter works well if both work well together keeping pace with each other.

Maximum £100 of materials, probably 3-4 days prep and 2 days application.
 
Toplac is good stuff for the job, but can require thinning especially if on the cold limits of temperature - when it goes on like pudding !

If in any doubt, apply say 5% thinners even in summer, more if it's colder, though it sounds like we've had our summer - sun and rain wise - and painting anything outside will be out for at least a while.
 
When I painted and anti fouled my 19 footer, I did topsides first, then masked off and did the boot top and finally, the anti foul. You need to use a bit too grippy masking tape and make sure the previous coat is completely dry to ensure you don't pull it off.
Quantity is calculated by measuring the height at a few points (I used three), multiplying by length then using the manufacturer's coverage rate.
The finish I achieved by rolling and tipping was ok from about 10' but not perfect close up.
 
Should have said 'not too grippy'.
ghostlymoron said:
When I painted and anti fouled my 19 footer, I did topsides first, then masked off and did the boot top and finally, the anti foul. You need to use a bit too grippy masking tape and make sure the previous coat is completely dry to ensure you don't pull it off.
Quantity is calculated by measuring the height at a few points (I used three), multiplying by length then using the manufacturer's coverage rate.
The finish I achieved by rolling and tipping was ok from about 10' but not perfect close up.
Click to expand...
 
As I already said, this is going to be a one pack job. I agree that Toplac isn't the easiest to work with, so if anybody wants to suggest an alternative that is available in a glossy dark blue, I'm all ears.
Btw the boat was previously painted in Hempel, not by me so I can't vouch for how good a job was done, but that hasn't lasted particularly well.
 
moomba said:
Hi just finished my 42ft custom moody ketch topsides in opal blue with toplac I used 1, 2.5 litre paint two coats , but did put an under coat primer x 2 coats on the old rubbed down midnight blue paint, then sanded with 240 grit
i used a cheap Band Q small foam roller as the main lay up and then used a quality brush(very important) to tip it of , the idea being very light using the tip of the brush , I found toplac easy to work with with 5% diluting with the correct primer especially in this heat , I had no issues outdoors doing this picked out any debris if any ! and tipped the paint, if you are comftable working with gloss paint at home and varnish then this is exactly the same the key is to spread the paint , from a few feet away the paint looks sprayed on and only by close examination will you see its not a professional job , but either is my house but it looks good to me and SHMBO so in the good books
dont really know about boat top as decided not to put one on this season sorry
Click to expand...

Brush and roller is a great method you can get results almost as good as spraying. Just ensure thar when you top off it’s light and in the same direction. Hod a boat professionally painted this way once superb finish.
 
Kelpie said:
As I already said, this is going to be a one pack job. I agree that Toplac isn't the easiest to work with, so if anybody wants to suggest an alternative that is available in a glossy dark blue, I'm all ears.
Btw the boat was previously painted in Hempel, not by me so I can't vouch for how good a job was done, but that hasn't lasted particularly well.
Click to expand...

It doesn't seem to me that you're getting the answer you want - everyone is posting about how to apply Toplac rather than alternative paints other than 2 pack. I've seen epifanes nautiforte recommended, has anyone experience of that?
There is also a product called Japlac which is alleged to be Toplac in a different container and half the price. I used some on my boat and it lasted well, just a shame it was the wrong colour and badly applied.
 
ronsurf said:
It doesn't seem to me that you're getting the answer you want - everyone is posting about how to apply Toplac rather than alternative paints other than 2 pack. I've seen epifanes nautiforte recommended, has anyone experience of that?
There is also a product called Japlac which is alleged to be Toplac in a different container and half the price. I used some on my boat and it lasted well, just a shame it was the wrong colour and badly applied.
Click to expand...

I guess the reason for that is because the product works and satisfies most users. International's dominance of the DIY yachting market may well have something to do with it as much fewer people will have used competitors' products.
 
AndyL said:
I have used Nautiforte for the topsides, and looks great, but very pricey and only in white I believe.
Click to expand...

_+ 1 for Nautiforte. It is easy to apply outside without special environment etc and it looks fantastic. I do two coats on my topsides every year. Ordinary rollers and brushes from B&Q are fine. There are a range of colours I believe. Call Marineware for advice and options http://www.marineware.com/
 
I use Toplac applied by roller & tip off using a Jenny Foam Brush. They are so light you can apply a minimal touch making it quick and less of an effort on the arm.

Personally I like Toplac, been using it for years in white on my wooden hull.
 
Here are some comments re the other questions:

Question 3- how much paint will I need for a 33ft yacht (are we talking 2l, 5l??)

I would expect 5l for two coats.

Question 4- roller or brush application? Brush or foam brush for laying off?

Roller and tip off with a brush. I get away with an ordinary brush when using Norteforte. You may want to think about a foam brush if you don't plan to do this often.

Question 5- I'm also going to be doing the antifoul and adding a boot top- in what order should I approach all of this?

The "best way" is to start at the top but to be honest I don't. I mix topsides and antifoul work based on where I am with the jobs. While waiting for a patch of undercoat to dry on the topsides, I will get on with scraping the anti-foul, etc. The last job I do is the boot top.
 
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