Jonny A
Active member
I'm another vote for Toplac single-pack. Works a treat for me.
Topsides paint choice... Opinions please
- Thread starter KevinV
- Start date
D1bram
New member
I used toplac plus in Rochelle red on my previous Hurley 22, I ended up with an excellent finish really considering it was DIY and done out in the open.
Only issue is it really is a bit soft, after a season I had a few marks here and there where mooring lines had chaffed (I'm on a fore and aft mooring). I would have simply touched up but I sold the boat and gave the new owner a spare tin instead.
Pros: Affordable, good results achievable with nothing more than good prep
Con: Soft, will need on going maintenance probably annually
Only issue is it really is a bit soft, after a season I had a few marks here and there where mooring lines had chaffed (I'm on a fore and aft mooring). I would have simply touched up but I sold the boat and gave the new owner a spare tin instead.
Pros: Affordable, good results achievable with nothing more than good prep
Con: Soft, will need on going maintenance probably annually
Refueler
Well-known member
The idea was to only paint one side .. the bow / transom joins would be hidden by the change of form ...
Port side of boat is fine ... just needs a polish ...
To give idea of why two pack is outlawed for DIY use ...
My Pal has his B31 about 15m from another boat - that guy was sanding back the topsides ready to recoat .. wind was gentle .. fickle ... no signs of problem. But for 3 days after my Pal was coughing and reaching from the minute dust carried over from the sanded two-pack on guys boat.
Yes you will get similar from any dust and single pack paint - but the two pack is more injurious to health and was why it was restricted.
Sea Change
Well-known member
That's a bit alarming. How are you supposed to know what you are sanding?
Refueler
Well-known member
Its generally advised to have filter mask ... coveralls etc etc ...
If you read the blurb that led up to the restrictions on Two Pack for DIY use - you will find its not only breathing in the dust - but also has element of skin contact issues as well ...
But when you consider that even the most useless Anti-Foul puts Two Pack gloss paint in the shade ... makes you wonder sometimes ...
KevinV
Well-known member
Thanks for the input chaps - I'm not sure it's decisive, but certainly food for thought...
Refueler
Well-known member
The more I think about this Two pack vs Single pack matter .. more I come to decision that the Single pack enamel is a better choice in the long run ... I can buy another pot later if needed easily ....
Sea Change
Well-known member
It depends on whether you can live with the softer finish.
I chose two pack for my tender because it needs to withstand a lot of knocks and bumps.
For a yacht hull you might not need such a robust finish.
Refueler
Well-known member
My 38 suffered from another guys red ball fender that then as the storm weather carried on - paint failed and coloured the other fenders ... the paint being Perfection Two Pack. As I understand it - the paint was in its 3rd year after a yard application by previous owner.
I still haven't been able to get the red stain off the fenders .. which of course transfered to the pontoon woodwork ... so those fenders are unusable untill I can get that stain off them.
If the Perfection can break down as that did - then is there advantage to using it ? At least with the Toplac ... I have chance to touch up / recoat any areas that suffer ...
Sea Change
Well-known member
Toplac is softer, so it will wear through more quickly.
Maybe it won't stain in the same way though?
I can't really comment on the specifics as it's many years since I kept a boat in a marina.
Maybe it won't stain in the same way though?
I can't really comment on the specifics as it's many years since I kept a boat in a marina.
The Q
Well-known member
I've just given my little boat the third coat of Toplac plus, I expect to repaint every two years as the boat is used racing on the broads.. ( little... Three coats and it's not taken 750ml). As toplac is slightly softer, it takes the "dings" better, than some harder paints I've used in the past. ( Hull, ply covered in fibreglass)
Refueler
Well-known member
This 'soft' issue has me thinking ...
Long discussion with the yard and basically my local has no covered facility to do a serious paint job. Boss is not exactly keen to take it on ...
My discussions with another yard - 8hrs sail down the coast would unstepp mast and place boat inside after preparation for painting.
The question is - given the costs and amount of work .. boat is 38ft long - so its not big - but not small either ! Is it good to go with the soft Toplac .... or as a number of people - incl local yard guy - have suggested Car paint .. which is harder ?
I know a few people over the years that have sprayed with Car Paint ... never heard anything bad ... never heard anything to convince me to use.
Just throwing out thoughts .....
Long discussion with the yard and basically my local has no covered facility to do a serious paint job. Boss is not exactly keen to take it on ...
My discussions with another yard - 8hrs sail down the coast would unstepp mast and place boat inside after preparation for painting.
The question is - given the costs and amount of work .. boat is 38ft long - so its not big - but not small either ! Is it good to go with the soft Toplac .... or as a number of people - incl local yard guy - have suggested Car paint .. which is harder ?
I know a few people over the years that have sprayed with Car Paint ... never heard anything bad ... never heard anything to convince me to use.
Just throwing out thoughts .....
Sea Change
Well-known member
Do you keep the boat alongside? If so, I would avoid Toplac. Ok for a boat on a mooring though.
Maybe others have had better experience.
Maybe others have had better experience.
Refueler
Well-known member
Alongside was what led to the damaged topside paint now ... storm winds were forcing her onto the fenders and they were rolling / flexing ... till paint gave out.
I have choice of alongside or Baltic moor ....
The alongside is not like most UK marinas etc with the metal fingers or lightweight floating arms ... here its heavy concrete with wood facings ... so they basically don't move so much with the boat ..
DrSpock
Active member
I would use Awlgrip Topcoat if you really know what you're doing. If you're competent try Awlcraft 2000 and if you're not pay someone to do it as there's nothing quite as frustrating as buggering up a refinish.
Refueler
Well-known member
I'm not doing it !!
I'm paying yard to do it.
As to what paint the covered yard guys use - I have no idea at present ... still being discussed. They are overloaded with work getting boats ready for season at present - so likelihood is I launch .. use boat for a month - sail round to them - then lift for repaint job.
ducked
Active member
Except maybe paying someone else to bugger up your refinish?
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
Car paint is what my XOD was painted with. Easy to spray, hard enough for a small race boat. Plus of course, as it doesn’t say ‘marine’ in the spec, it’s less than half the price.
Refueler
Well-known member
Asking yard what they want to do ....
Siftasam
Member
I am great fan of Epifanes. Have not used their 2 pack though. Our timber yacht is painted with the single pot and is only repainted every 3 years mostly due to bumps or fender scuffs. The boat is in the water throughout the winter so receives a lot of fender wear but the paint holds up well.
Have used toplac (the original iteration) on a fibreglass tender with good results but not looking for ‘yacht’ finish.
Have also used it to paint our alloy mast following priming with epifanes Washprimer AQ. This was done at least 12 years ago- paint still as good.
Have used toplac (the original iteration) on a fibreglass tender with good results but not looking for ‘yacht’ finish.
Have also used it to paint our alloy mast following priming with epifanes Washprimer AQ. This was done at least 12 years ago- paint still as good.