What is the best paint?

[kevsbox]

Hi all and a Happy Christmas
So during the holiday I plan to repaint the hull of my yacht. She will be Blue on the sides and Red below the waterline. After paiting I will coat with anti-foul but not sure what paint to buy?
Can anyone suggest a good brand of paint (UK based)
Thanks

 

[peteK]

Many on here have used Toplac including myself with good results.

 

[Tranona]

Another vote for Toplac for the topsides, although before you paint suggest you put ssome elbow grease into compunding and polishing the gel coat. Paint is a one way street - once you had done it there is no way back. No need to paint below the waterline other than antifoul although if you want to be sure that your chosen antifoul will stick OK apply 2 coats of primer such as Primocon or Jotun Vinygard

To get a decent finish hand painting all the work is in the preparation including getting the undercoat right.

 

[MADRIGAL]

I second all the advice above regarding preparation - it makes all the difference to the final result. Applying the paint is the quickest part of the job.

I have used Toplac, but have recently been very pleased with International’s one-part Brightside Polyurethane using the roll-and-tip method. It can be hard to find days with the correct temperature and humidity, however.

 

[Zing]

I think the best paint is Awlgrip. Bloody expensive though and really needs applying by a pro.

 

[kevsbox]

Thanks for the advice chaps

 

[Stemar]

There may be a best paint, but at the risk of giving egg-sucking lessons, the secret to a good result is Preparation, Preparation, Preparation.

Get all the old antifoul off back to whatever's underneath, and give a few coats of Gel Protect or similar. The underwater bit's then ready to antifoul. Topsides - thoroughly rub down and make good all the dings you didn't see with the old paint. prime, rub, prime rub, topside paint X as many coats as you've got the patience to apply. As a DIY, roll and tip is going to give as good a result as anything short of spraying indoors.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Use red antifoul.

 

[wallacebob]

This time of year, outdoors? Not a good plan. Very limited temperature and dew point windows to do a full hull with several coats and rubdowns.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, agree - missed doing it this holiday. Not a good idea, or to be more blunt a complete waste of time and energy. Spend the time and energy on seeing if the gel coat comes up. if still not satisfied with the finish then prepare for painting in the spring or early summer. TBH with an old boat like that there are usually far more important tthings to spend time and money on than trying to get it looking shiny on the outside.

 

[Hoist]

International Perfection Pro - And this was rolled on!

 

[kevsbox]

Thanks all, getting the sander out of storage