System Three LPU paint

[Mark Giegel]

I was looking at this product to use over previously painted surfaces on an boat.
I like the water based feature. Any comments out there on durability and workability of this product? Interested in how well it holds up to sunlight in terms of color retention and gloss as well. Thanks in advance

Mark

[kc8pql]

It's been on my 38' boat for about eight years now, outside year 'round the last four. Looks just like it did the day I sprayed it.

[Ray Frechette Jr]

I use it exclusively for small wood and ply sailboats I build and like it very much.

Good weatherability so far, wonderfull ease of use , gloss retention, fade resistance etc.

It would be an excellent idea to talk to System 3 tech support about your particular application prior to apply ing it though.

It dopesn't do so well on dimension lumber unless it has been epoxy sealed and or primed with their primer. Paint will alligator with moisture cycling if not sealed and primed.

[kc8pql]

It would be an excellent idea to talk to System 3 tech support about your particular application prior to applying it though.

I agree completely. Read the manual. Success depends on doing your homework and following the recommended procedures. If you do that, it's tough, long lasting stuff.

[Mark Giegel]

Thanks all. I will be using it over previously painted fiberglass primarily. I contacted them and have ordered some of the 4 oz samples of various colors to try it out. Appreciate the comments.
Sincerely
Mark

[Bob Adams]

It's been on my 38' boat for about eight years now, outside year 'round the last four. Looks just like it did the day I sprayed it.

They had waterborne LPU 8 years ago?

[kc8pql]

They had waterborne LPU 8 years ago?
Longer ago than that actually. I first remember System Three advertising waterborne LPU, along with their epoxy, in the early 90's for use on homebuilt fiberglass experimental aircraft.

[paladin]

Tom Freeman goes back to the Berkeley/Alviso Slough Hippy trimaran days of the mid to late 60's......he was building a Searunner 31 at the same time as Jim Brown and I....

[James McMullen]

Fantastic stuff! I recommend it--especially if you have a turbine HVLP setup. Waterborne is so much friendlier to both your neurons and your neighbors.

[Steve Lansdowne]

I made a sign and used this to paint it, then sealed it with the clear 'color'. It has been sitting on a fence in the Texas sun for 9 years now and looks brand new.

[Bob Cleek]

I've always taken it as a given that LPU had no business on wood (except maybe ply) because it lacked the flexibility to endure the movement. I've seen a lot of LPU jobs on planked boats and every one of them ended up in short order with cracks in the paint job along the plank seams. I hear what you guys are saying about it's endurance. It does last well. Are you limiting your comments to 'glass, metal (it was invented for painting aircraft, IIRC) and sheathed ply or does this water-based stuff have more flexibilty than the "potent" kind?

[David G]

I've always taken it as a given that LPU had no business on wood (except maybe ply) because it lacked the flexibility to endure the movement. I've seen a lot of LPU jobs on planked boats and every one of them ended up in short order with cracks in the paint job along the plank seams. I hear what you guys are saying about it's endurance. It does last well. Are you limiting your comments to 'glass, metal (it was invented for painting aircraft, IIRC) and sheathed ply or does this water-based stuff have more flexibilty than the "potent" kind?

I've never used the System 3 product. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but I'd be inclined to agree. I'm looking for an excuse to try it on a plywood boat, though. I keep hearing good things about it, with not much bad.

[James McMullen]

Bob, yes I am limiting it to modern epoxy/glass sheathed construction. It is unsuitable for traditional carvel, as are all hard polyurethanes. For that matter, ultra-glossy paint of any kind looks sorta out of place and un-natural on a traditionally built wooden boat.

[kc8pql]

Bob, yes I am limiting it to modern epoxy/glass sheathed construction.
Me too. In fact I assumed that was a given.

[Clinton B Chase]

I think the paint has in fact been used on some Catspaw dinghies. It would be interesting to see how it works on trad. boats. I will say that this LPU is not like the others. I'll ask them next time I talk to them (they are great supporters of us at Compass Project and deserve lots of business for helping kids).

Clint