Paint expert needed.

[Monique]

I want to change color on a boat I am considering. Black to white.

It was awl gripped some years but it was a s***e job. The hull is Kevlar with no gelcoat so the Kevlar mesh is quite visible.

What am I in for?

 

[sarabande]

an interesting artistic experience with shadows ?

 

[rotrax]

I want to change color on a boat I am considering. Black to white.

It was awl gripped some years but it was a s***e job. The hull is Kevlar with no gelcoat so the Kevlar mesh is quite visible.

What am I in for?

Unless you do it yourself it sounds expensive..................

 

[TradewindSailor]

You say the Kevlar mesh is quite visible. Do you mean that the paint has worn away or you are seeing the texture of the cloth? I would think the former as Kevlar is normally a fine weave cloth.

If the awlgrip surface is uneven or poorly attached you will have to sand it back until the surface is fair and any loose paint is removed. Personally I would sand all the black Awlgrip off otherwise it could soon be highlighting any scratches in the new finish.

I would then use an Awlgrip compatible High-Build epoxy primer and sand that down fair using guide coats. This will be a major job and about 90% of the effort. Finally paint with Awlgrip according to the paint spec + a few coats.

I always apply the paint with a West Epoxy roller and tip off with the same. I can get a very smooth finish, but it took a fair amount of practice. If sprayed ... make sure the sprayer is really good or you'll waste all the prep effort.

 

[superheat6k]

I would suggest you talk to Andy Murdoch at Force Four, Bursledon, Southampton. If he doesn't know the answer himself he will know where else to direct you.

 

[Monique]

hello superheat6k,

I received your PM. I will contact Andy. Many thanks.

 

[TQA]

Sand back to good substrate, if the Awlgrip is adhering well this should not be difficult.

3 coats hi build epoxy primer and 3 coats topcoat.

Get a pro to do it. Spraying Awlgrip means dealing with some nasty stuff.

 

[fisherman]

I just did my hull, dark green Perfection. International said OK to rub down the existing to 400 grit, no undercoat. However, this would be OK if the existing was Perfection, but it was down to original gel coat in places, so not brilliant, two coats and passable for a FV. An 'expert' painted a GRP boat nearby, he said no more than 80 grit, and use the International undercoat (with colour mixed in if finish is other than white). Certainly the result looked good (until she sank in the great storm).

itchenseadog is on here and a pro yacht painter.

 

[Monique]

Thank you fisherman. NOTED.