Best Method to Apply Interlux 404/414

[Vincent Serio III]

I'm priming my boat with Interlux 404/414 "Epoxy Primekote." Wondering if anyone has any advice on application--I used a nylon brush--too thick, Jen foam brushes--good coverage but the foam dies after a few dips, foam roller--no good.

The first coat was pretty good but labor intensive and I went through about 20 foam brushes. Wondering if anyone has any better ideas. I don't have the equipment to spray.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd188c87bbf133ab434cfcaeb0cb59f80/e91df933.jpg

[Bill Perkins]

I've applied gallons of the stuff with the small foam rollers from home Depoe : "rollerfoam "" ultra fine foam for the smoothest finish " "all paints and coatings ". I've always added the maximum thinner recommended ; 25% of the 2333N Brushing reducer .This has lain out smoothly for me ,though I carry a foam brush to tip if needed .The brush stays pretty dry . These are thin coats ,alright because I don't want to waste time and expensive paint by having to sand flaws in the paint coat .It's not fun to sand this stuff . I've tinted it successfully to grey with a touch of black pigment for epoxy paints .

Because the stuff is expensive I try not to over mix ,and have written out some of the batch options ,so I can see them at a glance . 3 parts A, 1 part B, 1 part thinner .

Pint cup ,1 oz. increments marked .Eyeball halves.
1 1/2 + 1/2 +1/2 = 2 1/2 oz.
3 + 1 + 1 = 5 oz.
4 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 = 7 1/2 oz.
6 +2 +2 = 10 oz.
Quart cup, 2 oz. increments marked .Eyeball odd oz.
9 + 3 + 3 = 15 oz.
12 + 4 + 4= 20 oz.
15 + 5 +5 = 25 oz.
18 + 6 + 6 = 30 oz.

[JimConlin]

I generally use cheap paint rollers and tip off with a Jen foam brush. The brush doesn't get very wet, so it lasts pretty well.

This is difficult stuff to measure, so I usually mix whole-quart batches. If mixing smaller batches, I measure by weight. The weight ratio that I use is 4.4:1. (The white stuff is a good bit more dense.)
With a foil lid on the pot, it'll keep in the fridge for a day or two.

[Alixander Beck]

I would think spray would be the best. You can get pretty decent prices at Home Depot...they are without compressors and I don't know the difference in quality but I would assume compressor spray guns work much better

[Vincent Serio III]

Thanks, fellas. I think I have the mixes right. I'll try the little rollers with a Jen foam tip off to see if that allows those brushes to live longer.

404/414 is pretty tough stuff to work with, but the result of the first undercoat looks good, so I'll press on. Watch the stock prices for Jen Mfg. Co over the next few days, because they will bump...

[donald branscom]

I've applied gallons of the stuff with the small foam rollers from home Depoe : "rollerfoam "" ultra fine foam for the smoothest finish " "all paints and coatings ". I've always added the maximum thinner recommended ; 25% of the 2333N Brushing reducer .This has lain out smoothly for me ,though I carry a foam brush to tip if needed .The brush stays pretty dry . These are thin coats ,alright because I don't want to waste time and expensive paint by having to sand flaws in the paint coat .It's not fun to sand this stuff . I've tinted it successfully to grey with a touch of black pigment for epoxy paints .

Because the stuff is expensive I try not to over mix ,and have written out some of the batch options ,so I can see them at a glance . 3 parts A, 1 part B, 1 part thinner .

Pint cup ,1 oz. increments marked .Eyeball halves.
1 1/2 + 1/2 +1/2 = 2 1/2 oz.
3 + 1 + 1 = 5 oz.
4 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 = 7 1/2 oz.
6 +2 +2 = 10 oz.
Quart cup, 2 oz. increments marked .Eyeball odd oz.
9 + 3 + 3 = 15 oz.
12 + 4 + 4= 20 oz.
15 + 5 +5 = 25 oz.
18 + 6 + 6 = 30 oz.

Why is this paint hard to sand?

Does is roll up into a gummy mess?
I always like primer that gets hard and chalky and is easy to sand not all sticky.
I am wondering because i amjust about to put the primer on my boat. I am sick of paint that will not get hard.

[Concordia...41]

I haven't tried them yet, but I just ordered some "solvent resistant" foam brushes from Jamestown. I was placing the order on line and they came up on the same page as the Jen brushes. I figured it was worth a try.

Since I have a box of however many dozen, e-mail me your address and I'll drop a handful in the mail to you.

- M

[Bill Perkins]

Donald ;it's great stuff and does sand cleanly, it's just pretty hard .It's not like a high build soft primer .

[Vincent Serio III]

Update:

Used the "Rollerfoam" that Bill Perkins recommended--worked like a charm. Used one roller cover for the whole bottom and topsides of this 18' ft. boat. Coat tended to stipple, especially as the 404/414 began to cure--so used a foam brush to tip it off. Margo (Concordia 41) sent me a handful of the "solvent-resistant" foam brushes which I used to tip off--one 2" brush lasted through the whole coat.

The 404/414 is fussy, but this method worked well. I agree that this product is rock hard, but sands pretty well with low dust. I got a nasty rash from the dust because I got distracted and didn't shower until later that evening. Second coat sanding with shower within an hour caused no rash. So beware of that.

Thanks for the advice--I love this forum!

[Bill Perkins]

I'm glad to hear it worked out Vince .I think the best thing I did for my (glue laminated ) boat was aplying multiple coats of that product under all my paint. For instance ; my anti-fouling bottom paint has been rubbed off in places because of trailoring and being roughed up by a huge fork lift , but the white primer hasn't been breached.