What Enamel?

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tillergirl

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For the second year running I've had a bad experience with Blakes 'new' Brilliant Enamel. After 23 years of using their Yacht Enamel, the formula has changed and I don't like it. It's probably me; in fact I'll accept its me but it flows poorly, is prone to brush marks, has poorer coverage than Yacht Enamel and has poor gloss. I've just flatted off yesterday's coating; what shall I put over it? Having just rubbed away £20's worth of paint, I'm bloody minded enough to go and get some Dulux. Any suggestions - for a replacement product I mean, I've already had Blakes telling me last year that I didn't thin it enough or stir it enough. I've tried International Toplac and that's a similar high tech paint that didn't flow well and didn't seem to be high gloss. I kind of get the impression that these paints are designed for spray application nowadays.

Deeply depressed; help gratefully received.
 
I didn't have the pleasure of painting the topsides last year but noticed a similar problem with the brightside (international) I used for the interior at the weekend. Although I used a brush it began to feel very thin=ck and not flow too well (although the tin had been left half full for a week or two) I found that adding a ltillte thinners worked wonders and it went on very easily leaving no brush marks. Maybe your paint would respond well to just a little thinners
 
Topsides on my boat have been painted with Blakes Pearl White four times now. The last time was in March when the weather was still a tad cold for proper application and the paint tended to drag.
I decanted and added about 10% Owatrol.
What a difference. The paint flowed far better and the wetted parts melded with no brushmarks.
No sags and another plus was the paint seemed to go further.
Most chandlers have owatrol which can also be used as a rust converter.
 
I forgotten about Owatrol. I have an unused tin of International Toplac so I think I will combine your suggestion and Beattie's. I'm sure the local chandlery does Owatrol.

Oddly I was using some Pearl White inside two weeks ago. It seemed to be of a different consistency to the plain white. I'm probably totally paranoid about it.

24 degrees here today but too windy to paint with a strong easterly seabreeze. You can't win can you?
 
I painted my hull last easter with Brightside red and I used about 10% owatrol, I rollered it on and then tipped it with a 2 1/2" quality brush, it flowed brilliantly, so another vote for Owatrol, it wasn't cheap, about £8 for 250ml IIRC.
 
Hi,

Mike Woodhouse here.
I have used Dulux on Owendo for years (Weathershield undercoat sands to babys bot smoothness)

I mixed the top coat wit Owltrol and that works well, this year I used foam roller and Jenny brushes.

Must say the boat looks good almost as good as Peter Clarke!!

Boat on its mooring in Salcott so please have a look if you fancy a trip out on the launch.

Happy sailing.

Mike
 
Hi Mike

Go to go for it today so there's no time for a trip to Salcott! I hope we don't get that strong sea breeze again today otherwise there'll be no painting today!

I've got this 'spare' tin of Toplac that I might as well use but I'm off for some Owatrol in half an hour. Next year it's either Dulux - its only got to last 7 months after all or Epipanes - I see that on one web site its £12 something as against £16.50 for Blakes.

I shall stick with the brush - brushes actually; I find you need three to keep going.

Interesting Clive at Peter Clarke's is a bit dubious about Blakes' Brilliant Enamel but gets told by the rep that he's the only one that has problems! And he paints in a shed.

Hope to be joining you in Salcott on 12th or 13th.

Muchy - thanks for the comments.

Watch this space; depression or champagne this evening.
 
Another vote for Epifanes enamels

Like Ben I converted to Epifanes from Blakes two years ago after 30-odd years of using their stuff. Much happier with Epifanes, though I do use (and recommend!) Owatrol with it. Better gloss retention, better brushing out and, thank Heaven, a proper undercoat.

They also have a better colour chart...
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

I have to report success with Owatrol. B' marvellous. Mind you I got most of the gloss on before the sun broke through so it was perfect conditions, still, 19+ degrees, surface cleaned with tack cloths. Added 10% Owatrol as recommended and the difference was staggering - flowed smoothly and easily, brush marks significantly reduced and coverage vastly better. So thanks for all the advice. I still resent though paying £16.50 or more for 3/4 litre of paint that's not fit to use straight from the tin. I shall be trying Epifanes or Dulux next year - Mike I shall be checking how you wear during the season if you forgive the expression!

Now only got the cove line, boot-top, antifouling, deck paint, and all the brightwork to do.
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

Dulux is a good quality paint, although not marketed for the marine environment, it could possibly be slightly better and a little cheaper.
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

Thanks for that. Actually cost is not my major concern. Don't get me wrong, I don't want nor can afford to take no notice of it but I find it a bit strong to stomach when what appears to be a good product is replaced with something slightly dearer, that has poorer coverage (so you buy extra), is more difficult to apply and gives a very inconsistent finish; oh and is claimed to last two years. On the last point, the coating was intact but the gloss which was inferior to start with didn't take well to a mud berth/overall cover during the winter. As you will see from earlier, some use Dulux - our Club launch has never used marine paints and survives looking smart - so I may go that way. Not sure how much the Epifanes is.
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

Glad to hear the Owatrol made a difference.
I will be investigating the Dulux range as well. If they have something close to Pearl I might go that way eventually, although I have a litre of the Blakes left which should be enough for another full coat.
I would be interested to hear how you get on if you do change.
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

I saw this post and asumed it ment varnish!

It dident! But i still want to add that i stopped useing epiphaines when it cost far more than International,which ive found to be just as good!

As for paint i used to use the very cheapest!And paint 2 a year.Then i discoverd DULAX in the same super market(they now sell AVI so i have to look for a casino)

When i first used Dulux in 1990 i couldent imagin being so silly as to econamise,its not expensive it lasts a long time (at least a year) without cracking with the oil on the waterline nor fadeing in the sun.

Dulux is my "luxuary" boat paint and seems to be every bit as good as International and Blakes but priced towards liveaboards with a cash flow troubles (flows out farster than it comes in)
 
Re: Another vote for Epifanes enamels

You don't have to be a liveaboard to have cash flowing out faster than it comes in!
Thanks for the comment on Dulux. When you say Epifanes, are you talking about the cost of the enamel or Varnish? Curiously I am quite pleased with Blakes Classic Varnish - has not suffered sun bleaching (unlike their two pot) although I acknowledge the toughness of the two pot.

All I want now is for it to stop raining! All winter without rain and for the last three days its rained!
 
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