Flow-coating ply

[oldbilbo]

I'm enhancing the narrow cockpit bridgedeck with a panel of 1" - er, 25.4mm - ply and an upgraded mainsheet/traveller and track. The plan is to 'flow-coat' the ply using an epoxy, with woven tape on the edges to protect against knocks. I anticipate overpainting in white to prevent UV degradation of the epoxy coating - but what paint would be suitable?

 

[William_H]

Sounds like an admirable plan to me. You could of course try your luck with polyester resin and put some white pigment in so painting not necessary. You could put pigment in the epoxy but as you say it will degrade with UV so need to be painted.
What sort of paint. Well I would use anything you have. I have a love affair with polyurethane paint that I have repainted the hull and deck with but it is quite expensive. I have some white fence paint (water mix) that i have used inside the cabin apparently OK. Might be ok for your job but basically any enamel should do.
I found with my mainsheet track across the bridge deck that no 1 son (a big boy) was yanking that mainsheet on so hard the bridge deck was lifting. I fitted bracing wires underneath to support the bridge deck. Actually it is not good to haul the mainsheet on so tight as the load makes the traveller hard to move. good luck with your project. olewill.

 

[oldsaltoz]

I'm enhancing the narrow cockpit bridgedeck with a panel of 1" - er, 25.4mm - ply and an upgraded mainsheet/traveller and track. The plan is to 'flow-coat' the ply using an epoxy, with woven tape on the edges to protect against knocks. I anticipate overpainting in white to prevent UV degradation of the epoxy coating - but what paint would be suitable?

You need to apply a coat of Epoxy Primer before painting or the new paint will flake of and chip away very easily.

A layer of Rovings will provide some protection, rounding the edges will also help.

Use a good exterior paint, even a polyurethane based one if you get it in a small pack.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Poignard]

Polyurethane paint is good.

I had to repair my grp rudder many years ago using epoxy and I painted it with white polyurethane paint. It has never needed repainting since then. No flaking, no discolouration.

 

[Talbot]

I had a similiar problem a few years ago. Building a new engine cover in the cockpit of my cat. I used a normal polyester flowcoat withh a good slug of styrene rather than epoxy, in order to soak into the ply, and then added and a very fine glass sheet and more flow coat.

I had to try to match a very faded admiralty grey, and took a chip along to the local B&Q. Mixed up some normal outdoor enamel coat. Final finish following lots of sanding and filling between coats and final buffing looked like a finished GRP. Polish kept it looking like new for 14 years.

 

[Tranona]

Glass cloth and epoxy with peelply to get a smooth surface. Prime and paint for UV protection. Just done a rudder this way, although obviously antifoul rather than a cosmetic finish.

 

[lw395]

You probably want non slip?
Glass cloth, epoxy, 2 pack poly with fine anti slip in is about the Rolls Royce of options.

 

[oldbilbo]

Thanks for the many replies. I'll certainly use some of that - esp. 'lwg395's contribution.

FWIW, the existing and knackered mainsheet track is about 190mm from the companionway hatch. Too close for comfort. I'm pushing the new one out to about 550mm. That will permit me to sit 'inside' the mainsheet and under the corner of the sprayhood without being gelded by an unexpected gybe. There's no issue with the new mainsheet/boom attachment position.

The new ply bridgedeck will provide about an alcove of 300mm in the footwell, which is valuable storage space for e.g. a dinghy, a repacked liferaft, a warps bin.... a cooler for mid-day beers.....

 

[saxonpirate]

Just a thought... Don't forget that as epoxy cures some of the unreacted components migrate to the surface, leaving a waxy residue which can reduce the adhesion of following coats of epoxy or paint. Clean warm soapy water with a Scotch Brite pad does the trick to clean off. Rinse with clean water.