Two part epoxy paint..?

[voluta]

Hi there,

Am reframing and generally doing lots of work to my 105 year old gaff yawl. the interior paint is stripped and the vast majority of the(I think)larch planking is in great shape, and I'm thinking of painting the under waterline planking with two part epoxy international paint. 922 or917 i forget-I've got a lot kicking around.this is for under the new frames and all. By nature I would go for red lead and oil based paints, and may still do so, but would be interested to hear any opinions good or bad about the longer term usefullness of epoxy paints. This stuff is great-OK for water tanks and hard as you like....but for old wood?

 

[Tisme]

I would use it; far batter than the traditional paints. If you use it above the waterline just remeber that it doesn't hold up against UV very well.

 

[Peterduck]

No, do NOT use epoxy paint underwater on an old boat! You will inhibit the timber's absorption of water, which makes the planks swell, which keeps the boat water-tight. Epoxy paints are fine on fibre-glass, plywood, strip-planked or cold-moulded hulls, but not carvel or clinker. Use your conventional, porous oil-based paints.
Peter.

 

[clyst]

I agree with Peterduck, never , never use epoxy paint on a conventionally built boat for the reason explained . I'd be interested to know Tisme's sourse of information .

 

[Grajan]

Epoxy tars can be be ok below the waterline, I know of numerous old wooden vessels that have used this type of product with great success however standard Epoxy finishes and primers have a tendancy of being to brittle

 

[Tisme]

I used epoxy on a clinker row-boat years ago. It was very successful and, above all durable. I think epoxy/polyurethane 2 pack paints are wonderful because of their durability.

Having said that you guys obviously feel strongly about this and the boat in question is over 100years old.....nobody would want to screw something like that up.

I would suggest a call to the paint manufacturers may be the source of the best advice.

 

[voluta]

Many thanks for the advice, looks like I'll stick to traditional paint. I'd been reading December WoodenBoat about this guy in america doing the inside of his 1931 boat with epoxy-and he seemed to know what he was about.And having the stuff just sitting there.....!