forestcreature
Well-Known Member
What would happen if I were to paint a GRP boat (ratty gelcoat with numerous epoxy repairs and fills) with pine tar?
Has anybody done similar?
Has anybody done similar?
Tell me about pine tar
- Thread starter forestcreature
- Start date
Irish Rover
Well-Known Member
You definitely wouldn't have any snakes on your boat. It's used here in Turkey as a snake deterrent.
forestcreature
Well-Known Member
I did worry about snakes being attracted to the ratty gelcoat that I mentioned, so that's a plus.
Wikipedia says pine tar is sticky, which I guess counts as a drawback. Is there anything that'll stick to GRP, work as a coating, and doesn't degrade to microplastic pollution when it's abraded?
EDIT: I have read that pine tar with dry material additives makes a less sticky pitch, which sounds more viable.
Wikipedia says pine tar is sticky, which I guess counts as a drawback. Is there anything that'll stick to GRP, work as a coating, and doesn't degrade to microplastic pollution when it's abraded?
EDIT: I have read that pine tar with dry material additives makes a less sticky pitch, which sounds more viable.
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prv
Well-Known Member
I imagine pretty much all modern paints for harsh outdoor conditions are ultimately some form of plastic, so I suppose if that’s your concern then you need to go back to something like traditional yacht enamel if anyone’s still making it.
I don’t know exactly what that’s made of but it’s probably toxic though shorter-lived.
Pete
I don’t know exactly what that’s made of but it’s probably toxic though shorter-lived.
Pete
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I use epoxy tar which is more flexible than plain epoxy and is less hygroscopic.
Keith 66
Well-Known Member
Pine tar is good for viking ships & wooden boats. But on a ratty GRP boat? a massive waste of pine tar, it is not cheap & doesnt really dry, it is soft & will rub off on everything. Smells good but thats it.
If you want a cheap paint to just tosh on, Epoxy floor paint or similar will do better.
If you want a cheap paint to just tosh on, Epoxy floor paint or similar will do better.
knuterikt
Well-Known Member
Pine tar is not suitable for GRP.
Pine tar - Wikipedia
Pine tar - Wikipedia
forestcreature
Well-Known Member
Somebody already guessed that I wanted to get out of the cycle of repeated rubbing down of paints. Massive expense is a salient issue. I had been wondering if wax and a solid additive like ash or chalk would make it more suitable. I read the wikipedia article on pine tar before posting, but I didn't see any reason---aside from stickiness---that would exclude it as a GRP covering per se. It flows, but over many decades. Is it a solvent for cured gelcoat and epoxy resins?
I'm sure we'll use a proven primer and topcoat but forego a perfect finish. The conversation started like this: I wanted to finish off our boat on our driveway at home. My collaborator said that even with careful tentage and vacuum cleaning a lot of sanding dust would end up forever in our soil. I also didn't like the alternative of sanding in a boat paddock and letting all that crap into the wonderful coastal environment (even with wet sanding &c.). This is why the idea of a piratey slap-on finish that is purposefully not very sleek was appealing!
I'm sure we'll use a proven primer and topcoat but forego a perfect finish. The conversation started like this: I wanted to finish off our boat on our driveway at home. My collaborator said that even with careful tentage and vacuum cleaning a lot of sanding dust would end up forever in our soil. I also didn't like the alternative of sanding in a boat paddock and letting all that crap into the wonderful coastal environment (even with wet sanding &c.). This is why the idea of a piratey slap-on finish that is purposefully not very sleek was appealing!
Keith 66
Well-Known Member
The other alternative would be Black tar varnish, used to be used on traditional thames barges, & fishing boats, it dries to a glossy black finish & can be overcoated quickly with no hassle. Again it comes off on anything it touches.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Give it a coat of liquid plastics roofing covering. Last for 40 years. Could start with Sika's matching epoxy coating first which will be great on the metal keel.