Dulux vs International Brightside / Toplac

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fluffc

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Hi All

Need to buy paint for boat. Normally use Brightside / Toplac.

Has anyone swtiched to 'alternatives' eg Dulux? How do they perform in a nautical environment?
 
Depends on the boat and the application! I have used International Ranch Paint to good effect on internal ply surfaces. Although "International" this is from B&Q - it's the domestic paint section that they sold off. internally, why should Dulux not last as well as on a window frame at home?

Rob.
 
I used exterior gloss successfully for many years on ply and pine with no problems.

Good preparation is key, and use several well thinned coats rather than one thick one.
 
I used the International range that you get from B&Q, 10 year exterior gloss I think it was called, and the dulux equivalent, on my narrowboat, so on mild steel. I worried more about the primer, and good preparation than any particular brand of paint/undercoat and the results were very good and long lasting.
 
I wouldn't use domestic paint close to the waterline on the topsides, or in the bilge: it is likely to blister ...... and due to the investment in preparation time and effort, I wouldn't use it on the external surfaces as it won't last as long as Brightside. Internal furniture : no problem.
 
All these paints are probably made by the same company, and the main differences are the labels on the tins, and the prices.
As we all know, anything labeled "Marine" or "Yacht" is immediately double the price.
I used to paint my old MFV with Dulux, and latterly with Leyland, but she was sanded off, and painted every year.
 
An interesting question with which I'm currently wrestling also. A few years ago I gave up on marine deck paint (poor performance, limited colours) and went to Dulux masonary paint, I haven't looked back - the Dulux has been more durable, especially more chip resistant and non-slip properties are as good if not better. Now I'm nearly ready to paint my topsides (wooden), previously done with Toplac.

I recall someone posting about Dulux paint on the Classic Boat forum (I think) a few years ago. Basically saying that domestic paints have had continual research and development over the years and are much better than they used to be, whereas yacht paint manufacturers are selling the same formulations as they were 20 years ago at much even higher prices! I don't know how justified this is, but it seems quite credible. After all domestic paint markets are huge compared to the yacht paint market and you probably don't expect to paint your house as often as you do your boat. In my case I seem to paint my hull every 2/3 years. And scuff/chip resistant my current marine paint certainly isn't!

So I think I might go the Dulux route this time.

John
 
Repainting

I have just repainted my boat with Sandtex Extra Flexi gloss, which is a professional grade paint. I was recommended it by a friend who has used it on his own boat for years. It is apparently hard wearing, and extremely tough.

It is very easy to apply and goes off at around 4 - 6 degrees without a problem that I can see. It is available in a good range of colours and I understand it can be mixed to any standard shade.

Launching on Thursday so we will see how it goes.

Ian
 
Dulux Weathershield Gloss is the paint that was recommended on the Classic Boat Forum and also on this forum more than once. I have used both Toplac and Brightside and in my opinion the Dulux product is superior to both. It comes with a 5 year guarantee and I think the professional version has a 7 year guarantee. Also its much cheaper - probably due to economies of scale.
 
I also read somewhere about Sandtex being used quite successfully, as well as being relatively inexpensive too. In the end I bought & used a Leyland equivalent called Granocryl (http://www.godfrey-diy.co.uk/granocryl-smooth-masonry-paint/cat251.html) although not from this site ... although now I see this is cheaper than I purchased! I wanted Magnolia as it was a dead-ringer for the original gelcoat colour.

I tried rolling with a two inch foam roller but in the end I settled for brush application and tipping-off with a foam 'brush'. The first coat went on like a dream but during the second, I was caught in rain and so predictably, it has blistered and if it ever stops raining again for a week, I'll just sand-down the blisters & recoat again. It dries 'matt' but I did a sample application of a GRP polish and it bought a decent gleam without it obviously not looking 'glossy'.

Ultimately, it is definitely a case of 'horses for courses'. Inexpensive boat? Give it a go ... try something other than Marine quality. Pride & joy? Well, perhaps not.
 
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rjp said:
An interesting question with which I'm currently wrestling also. A few years ago I gave up on marine deck paint (poor performance, limited colours) and went to Dulux masonary paint, I haven't looked back - the Dulux has been more durable, especially more chip resistant and non-slip properties are as good if not better. Now I'm nearly ready to paint my topsides (wooden), previously done with Toplac.


John
Click to expand...

I have been painting my fishing vessel in paving or concrete paint for years. Normally I apply straight over bare wood, first coat is the primer then 2 furher coats. Recently I replaced some gunwale capping and used a primer undercoat first. This was a mistake as the paint chips like a normal gloss enamel paint.

For Australians reading this I use White Knight oil based paving paint.
 
I used to paint my previous wooden boat with Dulux Weathershield for the last 8 years I had it after experiencing problems with each tin of Blakes yacht enamel being a slightly different colour! When I bought a grp yacht 2 years ago I used International Brightside and my opinion is that it has so far weathered worse than the Weathershield used to.
 
OK I have said this before..........

I use Dulux weathershield on my boat (wood) it has the ability to flex which some of the marine paints seem not too. As wood boats continually move flex ect Dulux is a good and in my opinion a superior paint for that application. If your boat is plastic I think I would be looking at a two pack paint.

Preperation (as stated several times in this thread) is paramount, Dulux is a three part system so it is no good buying a tin of weathershield and splating it over a different kind of base paint that wont flex, all that will happen is your base will fall off with your Dulux.

Dulux is capable of giving a great finish once you get used to using it and will match most enamel paints, expecting it to stand up to two packs is asking to much.

As for durability....... Dulux takes a long time to harden off but it will withstand knocks better than most. Touching up is an easy job and paint colour is standard through out the range. As stated it has a life expectancy of in excess of 5 years, I am now in the process of painting my cabin as it was last painted in 2004 and this winter has been a bit harsh on the gloss.

My advice is

Wood boat Dulux, Plastic boat look for something else, although Dulux will suffice.

Tom

PS I often get asked if my boat is plastic which to me says the paint job is OK. :)
 
Dulux

One point mentioned but not clear, is to get the Dulux Trade paint. High % of solids and then leave it at least a week after the final coat before subjecting it to hard wear. Lasted 3-4 seasons at least on my old GRP boat, and much more tolerant of the conditions at painting. Non slip decks- go for masonry paint - it lasts 5+ years on a lighthouse!
 
LittleShip said:
Dulux is a three part system so it is no good buying a tin of weathershield and splating it over a different kind of base paint that wont flex, all that will happen is your base will fall off with your Dulux.
Click to expand...

The above applies to wooden boats. When used on fibreglass gel-coat the primer recommended by Dulux is their Supergrip. I don't think you'd get this from the likes of B&Q, you'd have to go to a Dulux professional stockist but there is one of these in most towns. My last yacht lived in a commercial dock being jostled by workboats and fishing boats, so the durability of the topside paint was important to me, and the Dulux beat all the single pack yacht paints I tried: International, Blakes and Jotun. I never tried a 2 pack yacht paint because the yacht inevitably got knocked about and I expected to do a fair amount of touching-up, 2 packs aren't good for this.
 
I've used Dulux Trade range paint with good results.
However, I've recently painted a dinghy with the Dulux colour stuff they mix up in store, very poor results. It took ages to dry, still tacky next day, and after 4 weeks it's not really hard, very easy to scratch. I might have had a duff batch but won't be using that again.
 
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