Painting the topsides - International or Blakes?

[rosipeter]

We are re-painting the topsides on our 32" boat (last done by the previous owners) and have a choice between using Blakes/Hempel or International. We are doing the painting ourselves and want to get the best finish we can, is there a big difference in the finish between one-pack and two-pack paints?

Any and all advice on this will be gratefully received.

 

[earlybird]

2 pack has much better wear and weather resistance, but unless the previous painting was 2 pack, you won't have the option of using it, since it won't go over one-pack.
Some folk claim to have very good results hand painting with 2 pack. I found it quite difficult to get a reasonable finish without brush-marks or runs.
Application conditions, temperature, humidity etc are quite critical. Tenting would an advantage.
You will need a working platform of adequate height.

 

[KellysEye]

The best marine paint is Awlgrip, which is two part, but you may have trouble getting it in the UK because it's a professional paint. We've seen good results by people who have brushed and tipped it.

 

[pvb]

The best marine paint is Awlgrip, which is two part, but you may have trouble getting it in the UK because it's a professional paint. We've seen good results by people who have brushed and tipped it.

Perhaps the best Awlgrip product for leisure boats is Awlcraft 2000, which can be easily touched in and is buffable. Unfortunately, it's spray application only.

The regular Awlgrip top coat can be brush-applied, but it can't be buffed, compounded or polished.

 

[rosipeter]

thanks for the replies, the boat is not in the UK which is why we have the choice of Blakes/Hempel or International. Does anyone have experience of these products?

 

[Mr Cassandra]

thanks for the replies, the boat is not in the UK which is why we have the choice of Blakes/Hempel or International. Does anyone have experience of these products?

I have had a professional spray job done out here in Greece using Hemple paint,as far as I can see its a very good finish, it looks as good as new.

 

[seasolutions]

sorry if i'm repeating or contradicting anyone here but:

You can only use 2 pack if your boat is allready 2 pack, otherwise you have to strip / abrade back to substrate and start again.

there will be no differance in finnish between 1 & 2 pack paint the day after you put it on, BUT the 1 pot will need re-doing in 2 - 5 years and the two pack should last 10+

there is not a lot to chose between blakes and intenational, but AwlGrip is definutly better (and more expensive) IMHO if you're going to pay out for awlgrip paint it's worth paying someone with experiance of painting boats with awlgrip to put it on for you 'cause it's weird stuff, but done right it will still look like new in 10 years time

speak to marineware in southampto if you want some awlgrip, they should be able to ship worldwide (for a price....) +4423 8033 0208

 

[xtiffer]

Awlgrip is the best, no doubt, but you need to use
the whole system of primers before you think of topcoat.
Lots of hours, lots of money and you need a professional to do it.
The instruction manual for Awlgrip is over 120 pages.
Suspect OP will be better off using International 1 pot.
Easy to use, safe and compatible with whatever is on there already.
Cheers,
Chris

 

[Tranona]

thanks for the replies, the boat is not in the UK which is why we have the choice of Blakes/Hempel or International. Does anyone have experience of these products?

Both firms are international - and are not the only ones available in most places.

The choice is not so much the manufacturer as they make comparable products, but your budget, facilities and expectations of the final result. As already mentioned a professionally applied finish using Awlgrip will give the best, long lasting finish. However, a smaller older boat may not justify this expense, which can run into several £000's. If you are DIY, particularly in the open, then a one pot will give you a good finish, even if it only lasts 5 years. Put your effort into preparation, which is cheap on materials, and maybe get a professional to do the final coat if you are not confident about your paint laying ability.

Both manufacturers publish extensive material on choice and use of their products to guide you.

 

[isha]

I always used Blakes enamel or brilliant enamel and painted the hull myself. It is not tough and wears, but cheaper and easier to apply by yourself. You will end up doing it again in a few years but relatively easy to do. In all paint jobs irrespective of the paint the final result will largely be determined by the conditions required for the paint you end up using and on your skill at wielding a paint brush or roller and on the preparation of the surface you are to paint. The latter possibly the most important.
I determined that the next boat I buy will not have painted top sides, but a nice shiny gel coat!
Dave

 

[andygc]

We are re-painting the topsides on our 32" boat (last done by the previous owners) and have a choice between using Blakes/Hempel or International. We are doing the painting ourselves and want to get the best finish we can, is there a big difference in the finish between one-pack and two-pack paints?

Any and all advice on this will be gratefully received.

Since you don't want advice on Awlgrip ...

Mine has been painted variously with International and Blakes yacht enamel (ie one-pack). It is currently Blakes because International don't do the colour I want. In my experience (and that of my fenders that used to be white) Blakes is a softer finish than International. The paint was applied professionally in good conditions, so it is not a case of the International being applied well and the Blakes badly.

 

[rosipeter]

Thanks for all your responses, I know Awlgrip would be the best, but location, time and especially money mean its not an option.

We have decided to try Blakes 2-pack on the transom to test as we can always go over it with the one-pack if we need to. I'll let you know how we get on.

 

[Keith 66]

I have used International two pack both hand applied & sprayed & its ok though seemed to be prone to orange peel when spraying, i have sprayed Blakes two pack as well & would not use it again as it was a soft finish with no more durability than single pack.
Best i have used is Epifanes 2 pack polyurethane, super tough finish & relatively easy to use.

 

[30boat]

I did my Fulmar a few months ago with International Perfection.Awlgrip ,while great ,is just too expensive.I learned that you can use high density foam rollers,available from Screwfix,and that thinning the paint helps a lot if it is warm.You'll always get some orange peel but that will help minimized it.Change rollers very often,say every two meters in hull length.Tipping with a brush is possible but I just gave it up because the paint was drying too fast,again thinning will slow things.My first coat had a mirror finish but the second one had an orange peel effect maybe because it was by then later in the morning and it had become a bit warmer .Thinning some more would have solved it.The rollers hate the thinners(Nº9) and have to be changed even more often as you add the thinners.With hindsight I would have done it in three days, allowing the first coat to harden,flatten the topsides on the second day with wet and dry used wet and repainting on the third.Lots more work but less anxiety an much better results.That said I'm very happy with the finish I got as the boat looks like new from a meter away,warts and all.
Another thing I found out is that the grade of sandpaper you use in the preparation process is not very critical when rollering.I used a random orbital sander loaded wit #150 grit and it's impossible to see the sanding marks through the paint.
PM me if you need more information.