Primer

[Graham Knight]

I'm just about to start painting my Acorn Skiff hull, planning to use International Yacht Primer, Prekote, and Toplac. Down at the chandlers yesterday to buy the primer I spotted International UCP (Universal Clear Primer), I've never used it so I picked up the free product info CD which claims it's superior to conventional primer, tougher and bonds better.

Is it as good as they say?

It's around twice the price of Yacht Primer so I'd certainly hope it's better, but is it good enough to be worth the extra money?

One potential advantage for me is that it's clear, my Acorn is going to have an Oxford Blue hull with varnished sheerstrake and transom, UCP would enable me to prime the whole hull without having to mask.

The other thing is I can't find any coverage info, obviously this will depend to an extent on the timber but they don't even give a clue. Does anyone have any experience, will a 375ml tin be sufficient for the outside of a 13' Okoume ply hull? Any idea how many coats it might take, the spec sheet says 1-4 coats which tells me nothing really!

[Wild Wassa]

GK, G'day Skipper.

To establish the paint volumes I use the following formulae:

Unless otherwise stated (on data sheets or on the tin) allow 1 lt per 10 sq mt as a guide. That is pretty much a rule of thumb. Calculate the area to be painted in sq mts and multiply by the number of coats to be applied with each product.

Bottom: Take maximum beam, plus draught and multiply by the length at the water line.

Topside: Add maximum beam to length overall then multiply by average freeboard x 2 (both sides).

Decks: Multiply length overall by maximum beam by 0.75.

Most cockpits are easy to measure if they are boxy or are the interior duplication of the total hull.

International say that only two coats of Prekote are needed for previously unpainted surfaces and that Prekote is for above the waterline use only. Unless the product has changed, others might know.

Warren.

[ 10-21-2005, 06:44 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[DevonDan]

Hi
I used UCP on my enterprize and it worked fine, as I recall its got an isocyanate base (like super glue)so is pretty tough. My boat is 14'6" but I cant remember exactly how many tins I bought but 2 seemns to ring a bell! and I think I gave 2 coats, it is very thin and does cover well though. But dont use on oily wood.

Coverage is quoted as 6.6m2/375ml

Hope that helps

Dan

[ 10-21-2005, 06:20 AM: Message edited by: DevonDan ]

[Graham Knight]

Thanx Guys. Where did that coverage figure come from Dan, I couldn't find it anywhere?
I got the impression from shaking the tin that it was thin, which made me wonder how much the Okoume ply was going to soak up because it's quite a porous wood.
I think I'll buy a tin and give it a go, I guess if I don't like it I can always revert to Yacht Primer for subsequent coats.
Oh, did you brush or roll it Dan?

[MuddyFeet]

GK, I might just note that Toplac doesn't come in Oxford Blue. There is YKF991 (Mauritius Blue) and YKS936 (Lauderdale Blue).

I mention it because I'm refinishing a hull with Toplac in Mauritius Blue. I really like Toplac, but the color choices are limited unless you want to start mixing colors.

[Graham Knight]

I might just note that Toplac doesn't come in Oxford Blue Yes it does, YKB993 Oxford Blue, I have a can and a half of it.

[DevonDan]

I got the coverage from here:

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/102306/groupID/3/categoryID/8/v/

Hope its right!

I brushed it on and it went on fine, its so low build brush stokes arent really a problem.

Good luck

Dan

[Bob Cleek]

Sounds like Interlux is trying to get a bite of the CPES market. LOL

[Graham Knight]

I thought that Bob, CPES is epoxy though isn't it (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer, is that right?)
I'm not sure if there's an equivalent of CPES in the UK, if there is I haven't seen it, there are some resins that are thinner than others but as I understand it CPES is very thin, almost like water, is that right?
Isn't it primarily intended for use on old timber? UCP is meant as a primer for new wood I think.

[MuddyFeet]

Interesting ... that color is listed on Interlux's UK site, but not the US site. Apparently they don't import all colors, er, colours. I prefer the slightly lighter YKB933. I'll have to call and check if Interlux will be expanding their U.S. selection.

[Wild Wassa]

If you want a particular colour which isn't in your manufacturer's colour range, get white tinted or start from a tintable base. Thousands of tint formulae are in the manuals found in paint stores. You will even find colours that haven't been around for years in those manuals ... they are all readily duplicated. If it is Interlux you like, get Interlux tinted.

Knowing the proprietry colour name and paint manufacturer, who's paint colour you are after, speeds up the process.

The same colour can have a name change yearly, they are all cross referenced in the tables.

Warren.

[ 10-23-2005, 03:08 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]