Touch-up dilemma

[Avocet]

OK, Avocet is now nearer the water than yesterday, though still not in it. All went well but unfortunately, at some point in the operation, I sustained a paint chip about the size of a 10p piece in my nice new 2-pack. The main damage is a bit smaller, the extremities will, I'm sure, buff out, but the centre is definitely through to the primer.

I know I can put single pack on top of 2 pack, but not the other way round. Unfortunately, Epifanes only sell 750 millilitre tins of 2-pack at nearly £40 a pop and although I can use a syringe to mix a small amount, I'm pretty certain that once I've opened the tins, the hardener will go off.

The alternative, I guess, would be getting some single pack paint, which although not much cheaper is likely to last me a long time, but sooner or later, I guess I'm going to need to re-paint the boat and then I'm going to have problems remembering where all the single-pack touch-ups were!

Decisions, decisions...

 

[sarabande]

and then I'm going to have problems remembering where all the single-pack touch-ups were!

Decisions, decisions...

here's a Practical Boat Owner suggestion to overcome that. Paint the touch up in a high-contrast white, or yellow, or blue ?

 

[oldsaltoz]

I saw a 40 footer at Hamilton Island (race week) with a curved array of blue stars, on closer inspection I realised it was hiding what looked to chain marks.

Is the location of the damage suitable for a small decal?

Good to see you are about to her wet again though.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Avocet]

I saw a 40 footer at Hamilton Island (race week) with a curved array of blue stars, on closer inspection I realised it was hiding what looked to chain marks.

Is the location of the damage suitable for a small decal?

Good to see you are about to her wet again though.

Good luck and fair winds.

Unfortunately not! It's more or less where the port, rear lifting strop was, but I didn't notice it after the crane had done the lifting. I think I'll probably just get a tin of 2-pack and see how it lasts. Quite an odd feeling seeing daylight between the bottom of the keel and cradle for the first time in 8 years! Some piccies:

 

[oldsaltoz]

That should work, so annoying though after all that work and suppose no chance or the lifter being held responsible?

Look on the bright side, you are a lot closer to getting wet again.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[William_H]

Well of course as soon as any new paint is applied to a boat the process of deteriation begins. This will probably be the first of many such marks. However of course I understand you want to start off with no dings. I would suggest you buy more 2 pack paint and touch it up. Make enquiries about purchasing hardener only for the apint you buy.
My experience is that the paint in the pot will last many years but the hardener will go off over months. Make sure it is well sealed after use. I reainted my boat many years ago 2 pack with a brush. I continue to use the little paint left for touch ups each winter but am now on to second tin of hardener. good luck with the launch and your sailing olewill

 

[Avocet]

Thanks gents. An excellent suggestion William H. I'll see if I can get the hardener separately. It's irritating, but as you both say, it won't be last ding it picks up! I don't think it was done by the crane lifting it out of the garden. I think I'd have noticed it. More likely either to have been done by the haulier with a ratchet strap, or the boat hoist at the other end. Trouble is, I wasn't there to see it arrive. Anyway, I don't really want to start pointing fingers just now. More keen to just get it sorted and see if it still floats!