Not impressed by Toplac paint, what is a good alternative.

'Scuse me for bumping an old thread but I just found it today and thought I would add to the confusion. I agree that Toplac paint seems thin, but as it was all I could get at the chandler I used it to refinish a wooden rowing skiff. I brushed on three coats and had to brush out quite thin to avoid runs. Brushed over hand rubbed down white topside/red below waterline. Result was very nice, sold the boat and the buyer even said "she's beautiful".
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I don't want to dig over old ground (okay I do!) I am planning to paint the top sides of my Itchen Ferry when it warms up and have been considering International Toplac Norfolk Green. The plan is to key back the old paint, ensuring a nice Matt surface then applying a coat of Precote White with some of the Norfok Green mixed in then a couple of coats of the Toplac.

Any suggestions or should I give Toplac a go??
 
A friend of mine used Toplac when repainting his topsides.

He said (after several attempts achieving poor results) that the best way was to:-
1. Apply by brush, using horizontal strokes
2. Apply 2nd coat by brush using vertical strokes

I think that was it. If 3rd coat required, keep alternating as above. The results were impressive, but I think he's just patient and skilled.
My results weren't quite so good. Lots of polishing with compound afterwards.
 
Tam Lin said:
So, going over old ground. I used Toplac and found that I got good results with a high gloss radiator roller from Wickes. I found that the paint was a bit soft and got scratched easily. If I was going to do it again I would use a two pot. Other people will come on and say they got good results with some old DIY shed paint that has been in their shed for fifteen years. You pays your money and takes your choice!
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Hopefully pics attached of a small boat painted with Toplac; it might help in making a decision.
 

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I repainted my topsides with toplac couple of years ago and achieved a mirror finish with brush. You have to add enough Owatrol oil until the paint stops'dragging', test on a smooth flat surface. Your brush marks will disappear as if by magic, and you will wish you spent more time on preparation
 
I use Toplac inside and Epiffanes Nautifort for my topsides. I ahgree Toplac is thinner but brushed on it doesnt seem to need tippoing of and dries well with a nice gloss. Inside its on its 3rd season and will need to be redone next year - but thats me and the kids not the paint.

Re Nautifot, I put in in every spring. I can work it roll and tip on my own, without staging (so up and down the ladder) and keep a wet edge. Dries with a wonderful finish. I have no idea how long it lasts because I sand and re-paint every year.
 
I have used Toplac for quite a few years now; I actually find it too thick and have to thin it a bit to get a decent result.

It should be noted I always use it in the Spring before launch when the weather is still pretty cold ( but within limits ) - so maybe it's a temperature thing ?
 
Hugh Foulis,

I can't give a very scientific answer, but as a rough guide, with the Toplac thinned 5% and applied by brush, I seem to use about 500ml ( ie around two thirds of a 750ml tin ) to do one coat of my boat's topsides.

She is 22', and reasonably low freeboard by modern standards.

One great thing I find about Toplac is that it really is possible to quickly touch up small knocks and scuffs in mid season, it does blend in well colour wise - dark blue in my case.

Hope that is some sort of help !
 
ianfr said:
I have painted the last 2 boats with Sandtex Extra Flex Gloss which is brilliant.

You can paint at 5 degrees, and still get a good result.

Half the price of Toplac.

Regards

Ian
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Hi
For my sins, I've got to organise the re-painting of six 19ft keelboats by 12 volunteers, and to cut costs, was considering using Sandtex Extra Flex Gloss. Mostly it will be White over existing badly chipped and gouged Brightside White, but I'm also intending to have a metre-wide diagonal colour stripe midway along the topsides of each boat (different colour on each boat for identification at a distance!). Can you tell me how good or ill the coverage is and whether it would be better to use relevant undercoat on the colour stripes or could I get away with three coats of the gloss? What method of application did you find successful?
 
Spirit of Glenans said:
Hi
For my sins, I've got to organise the re-painting of six 19ft keelboats by 12 volunteers, and to cut costs, was considering using Sandtex Extra Flex Gloss. Mostly it will be White over existing badly chipped and gouged Brightside White, but I'm also intending to have a metre-wide diagonal colour stripe midway along the topsides of each boat (different colour on each boat for identification at a distance!). Can you tell me how good or ill the coverage is and whether it would be better to use relevant undercoat on the colour stripes or could I get away with three coats of the gloss? What method of application did you find successful?
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Different people get their best results with different techniques.
For me, the best I've ever done on a boat's topsides was with a foam brush.
Very thin film though.
I would definitely undercoat the stripes.
 
I bought a tin of white Toplac to tidy up lots of repairs I'm making, and give a clean fresh coat overall.

I'm thinking I could add some of those non-slip granules to it, and do the cockpit floor as well. I'll have more than enough Toplac for the rest of the job, so I'd sooner not buy a whole tin of specific deck-paint if I can add the granules to the leftover Toplac.

The existing floor paint has been flaking off since I bought the boat, so anything I use will be better than nothing. I'm just wondering if for any reason Toplac isn't suitable?
 
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