Painting topsides

[rbrooks]

I want to re-paint my boat, the question is what is the best type of paint to use.
The 2k type usualy used with re-spaying car's or Polyurethane type, has anyone used any of the above or have any better suggestions. any advise will be greatly recieved.

Thanks

 

[davidbains]

Over the last few years I have repainted my cockpit with Toplac, a good quality one pot
yacht enamel. And also repainted the topsides with a two pot polyurethane product, either
International or Hempel, the white seems to be exactly the same shade.
I use a brush for small areas of Toplac, obviously you can reuse the same pot for
a while. With the two pot it is better to sand a good area so you can mix a whole
750ml tin and use it in one go, with thinners if hot. I now use a small sheepskin roller
for topsides, quicker and easier than brushing. Adequate sanding is important and
use a good layer of the correct undercoat for Toplac, or two pot primer for the poyurethane.
This will produce a good appearance from a distance, but from close up in a slanting
light you can see the imperfections. For a better appearance more sanding and spraying
the paint is required. Not easy for an amateur.

 

[Joe_Cole]

2 pack poly is more hard wearing and more expensive! Applied properly it should give a superb finish.

The car paint is the same basic technology but it is formulated for spray application. If you're using brush or roller your're probably going to be better off with a boat paint. If you do spray make sure that you wear proper face masks.

I've not used it but Toplac seems to have a good reputation, but it won't be as durable as two pack.

You pays your money and takes your choice!

 

[gunnarsilins]

A friend of mine...

...painted the topsides of his boat with Toplac 4 years ago. Despite he was doing it with a brush he ended up with quite good results.
But last summer the red coulour already had started to fade and the finish was dulling considerably - he tried to rub and polish, with only marginally better finish.

So when I resprayed the topsides on my boat this year I learnt from him and used a 2-pot poly (Hempel´s Polybest). If putting down all the effort a repaint job means, I want the result to be nice more than 3 years!

 

[tynesman]

I have used Toplac externaly on wood and GRP,and it has lasted very well baring in mind the boat is used offshore,and we have wonderfull weather on Tyneside especially when we get South Westerley winds in the marina.
Agree you can get good finish hand painting with brush,but the old saying is always right the top finish depends on the preperation before,use good undercoat and two/three top coats.

Good luck
Tynesman

 

[snowleopard]

2-pot: caution

must never be applied if there's a risk of moisture (e.g. dew) within first 2-3 days: result is chalky surface within a few months. applied properly it lasts years- i did a grp car with it 12 yrs ago and it's still perfect

 

[rbrooks]

Thanks for the reply,
Were can I get more info on Toplac, this sounds intresting the 2K car paint is out the window, I also did'nt realize that painting with a brush would work. makes life a bit easier.
Do you know how resistant to the sun Toplac is because it gets very hot here I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof when I walk on the fore deck with bare feet.

 

[Bejasus]

See my project pics for example of roller & paint pad job, using Pre-Kote primer & Toplac finish.
For information on Toplac/Prekote see this site

h00's Project