Spraypaint in a marine environment?

[Kelpie]

I'm tarting up my wooden-decked sailing dinghy at the moment and need some way of sealing the undersides of the plywood. One option is to lie on my back with a mask and goggles and try painting or varnishing over my head. I don't much like that idea as I reckon I'll end up wearing some/most/all of the paint.
If I buy a can of spraypaint as used for cars etc, will that be any good? I'm looking for something that will seal the wood against the moisture that accumulates in the buoyancy chambers (always end up with a dribble of water in the bilge). Doesn't really have to have any other properties- colour is unimportant, it won't see UV, it won't get abraded, and it won't be immersed in saltwater. At worst it might see a splash during some particularly energetic sailing, or in a capsize.

 

[Gordonmc]

I don't reckon you will get the coverage from a cellulose spray-can to effectively seal ply.
Why not get a couple of mates and turn the dinghy upside down on trestles and paint the underside of the deck with ordinary paint or varnish?

 

[ianat182]

If you warm up the varnish before applying ,in a saucepan of hot water the varnish will thin and soak into the ply undersides of the decking, and apply at least two coats. The sidedecks too need the same treatment.
I forgot to do the edges on my Wayfarer decking when I renewed it and the first winter outside they became mottled with damp and I had to dry off with heat-gun before re-doing them in the way described above. I used Owetrol additive to the varnish on the side and foredeck which helped avoid the brushmarks and improved the flow, with a good quality brush.
Sadly I no longer have my Wayfarer which I spent many happy hours sailing and doing replacements and repairs to, she was W1013 ,an all wood Mk1.

ianat182

 

[vyv_cox]

Turn the boat upside-down and varnish the under-decks the right way up.

 

[Kelpie]

I've just been doing some googling and come up with an alternative method: use linseed oil. This is supposed to allow one side of the wood to 'breathe', so that I don't end up trapping moisture inside (whether from not drying it out enough, or water penetrating due to damage to the surface coating). I'm not sure if this is really a good idea, but it has the big advantage that I could wipe it on with a rag. Any thoughts?

 

[DownWest]

Personaly I would use Resoltech RE 1010. A water based epoxy available from Connexion Technology. Very easy to apply, can be diluted with water for first coats. Not fond of UV, but then no epoxy is, and not a problem for you. Certainly turn it over to avoid the punk hair do.
A

Spraying in awkward corners is a PITA and probably not very effective.

 

[alahol2]

How about one of those garden fence sprays? They use a wand.

 

[caiman]

Wear your mask and goggles,spray it with white primer and matt top coat,then go sailing-concentrate on enjoying it-/going faster/pointing higher etc etc.Use natural ventilation for preservation.
Cheers

 

[Kelpie]

Wear your mask and goggles,spray it with white primer and matt top coat,then go sailing-concentrate on enjoying it-/going faster/pointing higher etc etc.Use natural ventilation for preservation.
Cheers

Well I do try to concentrate on enjoying the sailing! Especially as I now also have a larger boat and the Wayfarer has to earn it's keep as a cheap and cheerful boat for messing around with when I fancy a change. But it's hard to keep it cheerful (or cheap) when the frost takes the varnish off which I believe was due to moisture in the wood freezing. Grrr.
I really would like to find a suitable spraypaint as it will be easier to apply than any of the other options. Much, much easier than turning the boat upside-down on trestles. Oh and did I mention I have to be back in the water on Saturday?
Sprayable curprinol sounds like an interesting idea, wonder if I cna get my hands on any...

 

[OGITD]

We have a wholesale / retail paint suppliers in our area who supplied me with sprayable enamel which has a drying time of around two hours, which is why I chose this option.
I then found out that they supply a two-pak in an aerosol (yes I know it’s a contradiction, but apparently there is a chemical added to prevent a reaction). This is far more tough and durable but cannot be applied over freshly painted enamel although it can be cut and polished to a mirror finish (if so required).