Topside Paint Type

[rascacio]

OK this is the final part of the trilogy. I've asked for gelcoat filler recommendations and hull stripping recommendations and received good advice but now I'm in a dither about the type of topside paint to use.

My boat is in Greece and I'm heading out in a couple of weeks to start the job. I had planned on using 2-pack paint and have plenty of advice about how to apply it etc, but I just bumped into an old boy up at my brother in laws workshop who repairs and renovates small dinghies/boats both wood and GRP and he reckoned that for the trouble and difficulty using 2 pack, particularly in a very warm climate he wouldn't bother. He reckons the 'Toplac' single pack type is the dogs B*******. Easier to apply and gives a great finish. Less trouble with mixing and retarding the 2 pack etc etc. He never uses 2 pack anymore. It's also easier to touch up.

What do you think ? I must admit that the 2 pack is giving me bad dreams at the moment about how fast it will go on and how fast it will go off, how much to mix and what about keeping a 'wet' edge between mixes. I have used 2 pack before but not on a job as big as this- 45'er.

Help set my mind at rest please !!!

 

[sailorman]

OK this is the final part of the trilogy. I've asked for gelcoat filler recommendations and hull stripping recommendations and received good advice but now I'm in a dither about the type of topside paint to use.

My boat is in Greece and I'm heading out in a couple of weeks to start the job. I had planned on using 2-pack paint and have plenty of advice about how to apply it etc, but I just bumped into an old boy up at my brother in laws workshop who repairs and renovates small dinghies/boats both wood and GRP and he reckoned that for the trouble and difficulty using 2 pack, particularly in a very warm climate he wouldn't bother. He reckons the 'Toplac' single pack type is the dogs B*******. Easier to apply and gives a great finish. Less trouble with mixing and retarding the 2 pack etc etc. He never uses 2 pack anymore. It's also easier to touch up.

What do you think ? I must admit that the 2 pack is giving me bad dreams at the moment about how fast it will go on and how fast it will go off, how much to mix and what about keeping a 'wet' edge between mixes. I have used 2 pack before but not on a job as big as this- 45'er.

Help set my mind at rest please !!!

Awlgrip or Awlgrip would be my choice. Toplac too soft

 

[Tranona]

Toplac is very good, particularly its colour retention compared with older style enamels. Not as durable as 2 pack and softer so can scuff. However, as you have been advised much easier to apply as well as lower cost. For the size of boat you are doing, probably best to use a roller with a second person tipping off behind you. Worth using an undercoat first, particularly if you are using a dark colour. If using white, still worth an undercoat to improve the depth of finish.

Another advantage over 2 pack is that easier to rub down and recoat, but it should last at least 5 years before you need to do this.

 

[ianj99]

Toplac is very good, particularly its colour retention compared with older style enamels. Not as durable as 2 pack and softer so can scuff. However, as you have been advised much easier to apply as well as lower cost. For the size of boat you are doing, probably best to use a roller with a second person tipping off behind you. Worth using an undercoat first, particularly if you are using a dark colour. If using white, still worth an undercoat to improve the depth of finish.

Another advantage over 2 pack is that easier to rub down and recoat, but it should last at least 5 years before you need to do this.

+1. Worked for me and applied with a gloss roller and then laid off, left no brush marks and retains its shine.

 

[lw395]

Whatever you can put on best.
Personally I get better results with dulux than most other paint.
Practise on a door or something.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Two pack polyurethane with a long chain polymer is what I use, no problem with estimating the mix because you need at least 3 coats and because it goes off (forms a skin) in a matter of 10 minutes or less on a warm day, it means you just keep spraying till you run out,

Read the instructions as most need to digest or react after mixing and before spraying.

Best results are by applying a mist coat first, then a half coat over that followed by a full coat, this will take a little longer to get touch dry, so you have time to check for any blemishes, pin holes or reactions.

Then do it all again about 10 years later.

Good luck and fair winds.