Boat paint quiry

[JB77]

G'day all First time posting on this site. I am currently building a Welsford Pathfinder using marine ply which will be epoxy coated. I'm beginning to do a little research on the type of paints that people have had experience with and good outcomes, for both interior and exterior areas. my boat will live mostly on trailer in enclosed garage, but possibly spend a short period perhaps a few days to a week in the water both salt and fresh. I particular has any body had experience with the Jotun line of yachting paints and primers. thanks in advance for any info you would share. Cheers.

[neil.henderson]

Hi, Jotun paints are very good - I used to use them on a 32' motor/sailer that I kept at Narooma on the NSW South coast - they do tend to be quite expensive but then you tend to pay for what you get................

On the boats I build (glued clinker using Okoume ply) I use Norglass paints which are Australian. I use their 2-part epoxy sealant which soaks in to the ply very well because it is the consistency of water. Then I use their PRI-coat undercoat/primer followed by their enamel - both paints are single pack. And sanded in between paints. I'm happy with the results and I can easily touch up the bumps & scratches which inevitably happen.

Here is a picture of my CY under construction - Norglass Storm Mist and Admiralty blue.
IMG_2782.jpg

Regards Neil

[Woxbox]

I don't know what's available in your neighborhood, but I've always used Pettit Easypoxy over epoxy sealed wood as well as over fiberglass, and have always been pleased with the results. It goes on well and holds up strongly. A high-build primer helps a lot in getting a good finish.

[pez_leon]

My advice is not even worth what you're paying for it, but I recently asked a question on a similar application and heard some good points. I would suggest a good first question is if you want want solvent-borne ("oil based") or water-borne (latex/ acrylic / some alkyd) paint. The way you decide will limit and guide your choices.

All the traditional marine paint I'm aware of is oil based. I see very positive comments by most users of most of the proper expensive marine brands.

Some relatively newer waterborne paints supposedly perform similarly to the best oil based paints but can be cleaned with soap and water. For me, this is a huge advantage. I dislike working with thinners and hate the volume of nasty compounds that goes into properly cleaning brushes.

There is also a heretical minority advocating waterborne exterior house paint. Advantages include easy touch-up, thrift, and easy cleanup.

I painted the exterior of my hull with top quality exterior acrylic paint but can't tell you how it's worked for me yet as I haven't launched. I have since used waterborne alkyd paint on other projects and was very impressed by its hardness, durability, and relatively long open time. I wish I had gotten it for the exterior of my hull, though I haven't found any rated for exterior use that wasn't high gloss. I'm going to use a waterborne alkyd for the interior of my hull when I paint it in a few months.

Keep us posted, and please share pictures of your pathfinder!

- James

[JB77]

Thank's Neil for your input, good to hear that the Jotun brand is good paint and has worked well for you in the past. I'm based on the east coast of Tasmania well away from the major cities. I am interested in the Norglass products as well and have easier access to them through our local Mitre 10 store so the could be a good option as it seems to have produced a nice result on your CY, she looks great so far, I'll certainly look at both option carefully, Iv'e got a wee bit of time to go yet, cheers mate.

[JB77]

Thank you Dave and thanks for the tip,Cheers

[JB77]

Thank you James for you input, I'm only in the preliminary stages of trying to make a choice will have to do a little more homework on the topic but I have to say a water clean up sound more tempting for me as well but will depend on the expected durability of each system. a good quality exterior acrylic house paint a good question. they seem to hold up well on timber outdoors in some pretty harsh environments and seem to be very durable. It would be interesting to hear from people who have used it on boats and learn from their experience. Cheers Mate. I'm only just learning how to post on this site, hope I've done the right thing I'll try to get a couple of pics of my boat build soon.

[willin woodworks]

I don't know what's available in your neighborhood, but I've always used Pettit Easypoxy over epoxy sealed wood as well as over fiberglass, and have always been pleased with the results. It goes on well and holds up strongly. A high-build primer helps a lot in getting a good finish.

Plus one. I've stopped using anything but EZpoxy. Goes on just as well brushed or rolled, flows nice. Use the Petit proprietary thinners etc. I dont think you can go wrong.

[John B]

I became nicknamed JB70 one year after I insisted we hove to 70 miles off the Kermadec islands rather than get closer overnight, your handle gave me a laugh.
I can't comment on your brands specifically although I've heard nothing bad, but a method or process I've evolved to over the last 40 years is to always undercoat with 2 pot regardless of the finish coat. When I haven't done that because of time or other reason, I've regretted it.

[Treeguyus]

With limited experience for our Dory using Kirby paints. Easy to apply. Great customer service, they match the color amazingly perfect.

[pcford]

Fine Paints is the best. And easy to use. As they said at a Lake Union boatshop: "You can put your worst painter on it."

[Geftb]

Hey JB77, Kirby is not available in Aus, (cant mail dangerous goods, and no importer/supplier.) Not sure about Fine paints?
Jotun is great, as is Norglass. I found Jotun to be a lot cheaper in the high build primer. But for a boat your size your probably only looking at 50 bucks. I would go with what’s local.
I found the Norglass guys very patient and helpful with all my dumb questions. They can tint any colour you want but you will have to order through Mitre 10, (cant deal directly) and you need the Aus colour chart number. It will be a little number next to the paint colour on the chart. International is my favourite colour chart for boats. Hard to find a hard copy though.
Steve

[wizbang 13]

There is a third option to oil and water paint.
Modern two part coatings. Epoxy under and LP over.
Folks like water for it’s easy application and clean up. Ask how it is to sand .
Like John in #9, I regret ever using one part paint whenever refinishing time comes along .

[pcford]

There is a third option to oil and water paint.
Modern two part coatings. Epoxy under and LP over.
Folks like water for it’s easy application and clean up. Ask how it is to sand .
Like John in #9, I regret ever using one part paint whenever refinishing time comes along .

Free advice is sometimes worth what you pay for it.