Paint for a Mooring Buoy

[bob_tyler]

I have to buy a plastic mooring buoy for my new deep water mooring - 16 inch diameter. That's not a problem.

Under the Harbour Commissioners' regulations it has to be painted with the mooring number and boat's name.

What paint will stick and not flake or wash off a plastic buoy, please?

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[tugboat]

Personally I have found that a waterproof indelible felt tip pen and a set of stencils from WHS does a good job and is durable. Paint can mark your topsides if nudging the buoy over a period of time. Most paints will probably grab if put on thinly so the paint film is flexible. Would suggest it is done early and allowed to weather before putting your nice boat anywhere near it though!

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[geoffatstanpit]

The first couple of years with my new buoy I painted the number on with black car touch-up paint. It peeled off rather quickly and I just retouched it.

Then I noticed that where the paint had come off the buoy was still very shiny but the rest of it was going slightly dull. So last year I painted the number on the dull bit and its still fine.

Weathering the PVC makes the paint stick!

Geoff

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[JIM_TEAL]

I have used Hammerite with reasonable success. It crazes after two or three Seasons but touched up, my winter float is now in its 5th year.
Laundry Marker (indelible black) works but fades much more than Hammerite.

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[William_H]

Local authority here decided to supply buoys when introducing registration for moorings. They were orrible big polyproylene ones in gaudy orange. Anyway they also fitted numbers, the stick on types about 2 inches high, then coated the nubers with silicone sealant. I don't know if they knew what they were doing but it did involve several thousand buoys and the numbers still appear to be attached to mine although a bit grubby from the silicone after 4 years. happy Christmas to you regards will

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[dickh]

Our mooring buoys have a plastic tag with the numbers on, fixed with a cable tie. They seem to last a long time. Usually fixed on the rope just above the buoy.

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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[penultimate]

Endorse JIM_TEAL's recommendation of Hammerite. We have used this succesfully on our club moorings for 10 years with only occasional touch up.

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[Thistle]

I've successfully used a marker intended for sheep's ear tags on a variety of plastic surfaces (though never on a buoy.) These markers are designed for use on plastic that's to be exposed to the elements - and worse! - and, though they're a bit expensive, they seem to do the job. It's also easy to touch up if necessary.


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[bob_tyler]

Thanks for all these ideas. I knew that PBO readers would come up with good advice.

Unless any better suggestions come up I shall use Hammerite. I already have some black which I can use.

Would it help to key the area to be painted with fine wet & dry? Then perhaps thoroughly degrease with meths?

Bob

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