Workhorse topside paint?

[forestcreature]

Now I can be as scruffy as the next chap (perhaps mores according to my wife) but sometimes it's good to take care of your toys, especially if you've traded many working hours in order to buy it in the first place. I wash my cars at least once a year.

Yes that makes sense. I guess these toys stand in for the bits of ourselves that we've had to trade away through vocation or duty &c. so it seems right to care for them.

 

[dankilb]

Now how would a single-pack poly, or and oil-based paint like an exterior gloss, work over the top of the sections that I've already done in Sandtex?

Never know until you test it - but that's easy enough (small area/scrap bit of something... etc.)

In terms of long-term adhesion, I would - personally - still be inclined towards one/other of the marine paint 'systems' (rather than domestic options). International is expensive (but aside from some 'marmite' opinions, most seem to get on well with it). I prefer Jotun for the value, quality and tech support via SML. The only problem is there is comparatively less info/advice/experience knocking around about Jotun - especially their top coats - compared to Int'l/Hempel etc.

And if really opting for a paint 'system' (say, a Jotun primer and topcoat), I would knock most of the Sandtex off the epoxy repairs with 80 grit on your RA sander beforehand (I say 'most' - no need to go mad!). It can't hurt. It may even help find some low-spots/flaws - although it sounds like you're not going for 'mirror finish' here. And fair enough! But it will reassure that any incompatibility or longer-term adhesion risks are minimised.

(Disclaimer: Never done topsides myself - only the aforementioned below-the-waterline job, all 40m2 of it! And roller-painting the odd van, for my sins!)

 

[forestcreature]

Thanks, the Jotun name has come up several times from what I've seen.

all 40m2 of it!

I'm glad I went for a tiny boat!

 

[Kelpie]

I was persuaded to use Toplac and wasn't all that impressed with it. I also massively over ordered based on International's coverage calculator, which made the whole thing even more expensive.

I'd previously used Teamac which is much cheaper but even less good- although part of that may have been inexperience at the time.

The most recent painting I did was on a dinghy that I built. As it was a small total area and I was working inside, I chose 2 pack 'Lustre' from SML. What a revelation. Found it much easier to apply, despite the faff of having to wear a mask and to mix the paint.

At the other end of the spectrum, I repainted my decks with Sandtex. Very easy, it's water based so you only need one brush. Not a gloss finish but held up fairly well and cost almost nothing compared to the alternatives.