first question - paint primer/thinner

[craigdempsey]

I have been reading this forum for a couple of years now but this is my first question.
I have built myself a Redmond Whisp and am getting ready to paint. The boat is ocoume and Doug Fir, no fibreglass, no epoxy encapsultion. I am going to paint with either an oil base porch and floor enamel or Kirby's. I assumed I would be putting on a primer underneath these prodicts but a search has not revealed any recommendations. Do these oil based enamels not require a primer? Or is there some commonly available/inexpensive primer that would be suitable?
And at the risk of making my first question long winded, what thinner is best for oil based enamels, paint thinner or turpentine? The paint can labels I have been reading say not to thin at all, but I understand this is due to environmental regulations.
Thanks for any input. Reading and searching this forum has been a great help me getting my boat to this stage.

[Don Z.]

When I was last at Kirby's, he recommended Kilz as a primer...

[pcford]

I have been reading this forum for a couple of years now but this is my first question.
I have built myself a Redmond Whisp and am getting ready to paint. The boat is ocoume and Doug Fir, no fibreglass, no epoxy encapsultion. I am going to paint with either an oil base porch and floor enamel or Kirby's. I assumed I would be putting on a primer underneath these prodicts but a search has not revealed any recommendations. Do these oil based enamels not require a primer? Or is there some commonly available/inexpensive primer that would be suitable?
And at the risk of making my first question long winded, what thinner is best for oil based enamels, paint thinner or turpentine? The paint can labels I have been reading say not to thin at all, but I understand this is due to environmental regulations.
Thanks for any input. Reading and searching this forum has been a great help me getting my boat to this stage.

Marine paints have proper primer and thinner listed on the can.

[Spokaloo]

Give Kirby's a call. They have been more than happy to talk paint and technique with many people here on the forum.

E

[Thorne]

I painted the outside hull of my fir and oak dory skiff with Kirbys and Rustoleum Marine paint over a Rustoleum high-build marine primer over CPES, and it has held up well so far. The interior bottom planks were CPES with red lead over it, covered with Rustoleum Marine paint, and I've had some small bubbling where they get really damp.

As above, call Kirby's and see what they say.