Painting Epoxy Help

[fishmonger]

Sorry all, I'm sure this has been covered before, but the search function still isn't up.

My 12' plywood sailing skiff is finished, and I need to paint it. The probelm is, I can't seem to find a clear answer on what kind of paint to use. It's made out of Meranti Ply, that I've coated outside with 3 layers of epoxy, and inside with 1 layer of epoxy.

Do I use:

Regular Marine Alkalyde Enamle

One part Poly

Two Part Poly

Your suggestions will be much appreciated!!!

Thanks,
---Ben

[John of Phoenix]

You left out latex house paint. ;)

Any of the above, but make sure the epoxy is fully cured and you've washed off any amine blush.

[Rusty]

This problem drove me nuts. The pivot point for me was that the boat was going to live on a trailer so anti fouling paint would not be needed. A fellow forum reader stated that his front porch spent more time in the water than his boat did so he used high quality exterior house paint. I used Lowe's and have been very satisfied. Just a thought, good boating.

[RodB]

You can use any of the three paints you mentioned, depending on how long you want the paint to last, cost, and whether or not you want a gloss finish.

Kirby's Alkyd enamel comes in a semi-gloss.

Use a primer (hotter solvent primers like primers that use Xylol as a solvent...for example) or CPES to get a great bond. Some folks paint atop epoxy without any primer, but you must be sure the curing is complete...ie., the surface is free of amine blush... and that no solvents are escaping any more. Most of the paints you mention have specific recommendations as to primer to use.

Personally, I'm using a high build (hot solvent) primer that adheres great to System III epoxy and sands beatifully and very easily. My topcoat is semi-gloss Kirby's alkyd enamel.

RB

[ 06-01-2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[Wild Wassa]

I would be more concerned with the choice of paint base that best suits or will enhance the working surface, this is what one actually needs.

I wouldn't go for a long term paint pakage on a skiff necessarily, too heavy. To me a skiff is a racing machine, which benefits from having a highly polished light weight 2 pack water based polyurethane racing surface with minimum surface grain and as thin as can be on the hull with different paint types in other areas (depending on weight) ... for example, I like the pulverized cross-linking rubberized anti skids as my anti skids on a boat that will be used by kids or a textured polyurethane anti skid on others.

As Ive mentioned, it is all in the working surface that you need vrs what you are prepared to put into it.

In true effect you could/should end up with different paint types and different techniques of application in the different working areas and surfaces on a boat.

... or just slap marine enamel and varnish on her.

If you need a tougher material than varnish use a clear poly in those areas to increase longevity.

Use marine quality materials.

Warren.

[ 06-01-2005, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[John-NY]

Just as an aside/hijack, why wouldn't you use Rustoleum oil based enamels? I know it doesn't have the for 'boat use' premium pricing but would that be a problem for paint on a dry sailed boat?

Thanks

John

[RodB]

I agree with WW... if the budget can handle it,and you like a gloss finish... a Linear Polyurathane would be great functionally and longevity-wise...for the bottom and topsides...after all, LP is the toughest and lasts the longest of all the paints.

You could just paint the topsides with just about any paint and apply a couple of coats of epoxy to the bottom with graphite powder mixed in... to achieve a tough finish that is not painted and will wear well on a trailer, etc.

RB

[ 06-01-2005, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[fishmonger]

Poly it is! Thanks for all the help.
----B