Painting topside help, toplac or not??

[thegingercarper]

Hi all, new on here and my first post.

Here is my little project boat,



Need some advice on painting please as have now sanded ready. I've tried to apply some International Pre-Kote undercoat which I applied to the hull, using a roller and tipped off, it didn't look too bad but had left brush lines after tipping off, want a really smooth finish so don't know what to do, should I have thinned a bit or sprayed it on?

Also how is best way to apply and with what paint for the topsides, outside of cabin etc so that it's a nice smooth finish?

All help much appreciated as I feel a bit stuck now, thanks John

 

[Caer Urfa]

Agree use Toplac (two coats), it will appear dry in 24 hours but leave it for 5 days to harden off, I would roller it on with a 3" roller and feather off for a smooth finish with a fine brush

 

[Jim@sea]

Hi all, new on here and my first post.

Here is my little project boat,

View attachment 93756

Need some advice on painting please as have now sanded ready. I've tried to apply some International Pre-Kote undercoat which I applied to the hull, using a roller and tipped off, it didn't look too bad but had left brush lines after tipping off, want a really smooth finish so don't know what to do, should I have thinned a bit or sprayed it on?

Also how is best way to apply and with what paint for the topsides, outside of cabin etc so that it's a nice smooth finish?

All help much appreciated as I feel a bit stuck now, thanks John

Flat it with 1000's wet & dry then polish it with brazing paste.

 

[Keith-i]

Choose your painting conditions carefully. I found the biggest problem was doing it on a windy day which caused it to start drying before I could tip it off properly. I think air movement is more of an issue than temperature.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Agree use Toplac (two coats), it will appear dry in 24 hours but leave it for 5 days to harden off, I would roller it on with a 3" roller and feather off for a smooth finish with a fine brush

Also, put a good splash of Toplac into the final layer of Pre-Kote - 10% or so.

 

[thegingercarper]

OK it was quite a hot day when painting it so maybe it needed thinning and to be cooler, so rolling and tipping I can get a perfect smooth finish? Or do I need to sand and polish after to achieve this?

And with the roof of the boat, where is best place to start so that the paint doesn't dry before working down ssy the window pillars? Thanks again

 

[burgundyben]

Use a good brush. I prefer the Hamilton Perfection Plus Synthetic bristle.

 

[seadog30]

Hi, I used toplac on a 30ft hull, the result made some question me as to how was it sprayed.

Prep is the key use as many coats as you need (sanded down with 600 grade then 800 then 1000)

Toplac 10% in the final undercoat then thin with 25% turps.

Then apply toplac, 25% thinned (more on a hot day) and apply with a roller and tip off immediately with a paint pad. I use the roller in my left hand and the paint pad in the right. Dont try to cover more than one sq mtr at a time and keep a wet edge going in the direction of travel.

Repeat 5 or 6 times and allow to harden for at least 48 hours then sand with 1000 grade wet, if you are happy with the finish give it a final coat on a warm day with no wind blown dust or bugs.

Good luck

 

[Javelin]

Toplac is quite thin so don't be tempted to put too much on or it'll run.
Roller and then always tip off vertically for two reasons,
1, if you do have a little too much it won't curtain.
2, your eye picks up horizontal brush strokes much easier than vertical ones due to light reflection.

 

[thegingercarper]

Toplac is quite thin so don't be tempted to put too much on or it'll run.
Roller and then always tip off vertically for two reasons,
1, if you do have a little too much it won't curtain.
2, your eye picks up horizontal brush strokes much easier than vertical ones due to light reflection.

OK thanks what way would you tip off the roof and around windows etc? Thanks

 

[Jonny A]

With Toplac make sure you use a foam roller.

 

[Sniper]

Toplac is quite thin so don't be tempted to put too much on or it'll run.
Roller and then always tip off vertically for two reasons,
1, if you do have a little too much it won't curtain.
2, your eye picks up horizontal brush strokes much easier than vertical ones due to light reflection.

3. it’s easier to keep a wet edge as well.

I also use owatrol paint conditioner, especially useful when the weather is warmer.

 

[[159032]]

With Toplac make sure you use a foam roller.

You can get cheap mini rollers and expensive mini rollers. The solvent in the paint loosens the cheap mini rollers which fall off the handle.
I use the roller, when exhausted after each loading-up, to tip off in a downward direction to avoid the possibility of curtains in the paint.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Hi all, new on here and my first post.

Here is my little project boat,

View attachment 93756

Need some advice on painting please as have now sanded ready. I've tried to apply some International Pre-Kote undercoat which I applied to the hull, using a roller and tipped off, it didn't look too bad but had left brush lines after tipping off, want a really smooth finish so don't know what to do, should I have thinned a bit or sprayed it on?

Also how is best way to apply and with what paint for the topsides, outside of cabin etc so that it's a nice smooth finish?

All help much appreciated as I feel a bit stuck now, thanks John

Just a little pedantic contribution; your thread title mentions the term 'topsides', but you are obviously referring to the parts of the boat that are generally horizontal. In the world of leisure boating these parts are called the deck and coachroof. The vertical parts of the hull above water are the topsides.
I'll get my coat?