International Universal Clear Primer - reviews, please!

[Poignard]

I am painting out the boat's interior [before sailing to meet my doom in mid-channel this summer /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif] and I have just been reading about Universal Clear Primer in the International Paints Ltd website. I have never heard of it before. International recommend using it as the first priming coat on bare wood.

Is it as good as they claim [better adhesion etc]? Has anyone here used it?

 

[lw395]

Have used it about 20 years ago.
I don't recall much advantage over dilute varnish.
No problems with it though.

 

[Grajan]

UCP is a moisture curing two part clear primer varnish but it finds its curing agent (moisture) in the wood or from the atmosphere consequently it only comes in one tin
be very careful when using chemical strippers as I have seen cases where the topcoat has blistered because the stripper has not been properly neutralised
I have even used this product as a glue for "light work and been very successful.
As a primer and applied at the correct film thickness this is a tremendous product

 

[charles_reed]

I've found it fantastic for priming. Halves the number of coats you need to get a good finish.
It is pretty difficult to get.

It's greatest benefit is the extension of life of external varnishing - instead of 2 seasons in the Med (before 1st signs of uv degradation) it lasts about 3.

You do need to get down to absolutely bare wood if you're using it.

It keeps well, I used some back here in the UK, that I'd bought 20 years ago and it brought a piece of 1950's G-Plan up better than new.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Great stuff. I agree with all that charles_reed says plus the added advantage that it doesn't darken fresh wood if you are doing a repair and have rubbed back a bare patch.
The only problem is that the tin is rubbish and very difficult to reseal completely. Transfer any leftovers to a plastic or glass jar with as little air space as possible.

 

[charles_reed]

If you

invert the tin, with the lid firmly closed, after use, you'll find it keeps well - I checked the stuff I used here and it was bought in 1982.

The older stuff is best - they had to change the solvent, because it was trichlorethylene, in the late 90s.