The Beneteau factory used Imron car paint on Kestrel to get Flag Blue. The finish is spectacular and long lasting. No fading. And your treat it like your car in the the spring. The reflections of water and sun off the boat are spectacular.
Don't take my previous post as a total negative on painting. You can see from the pic it looks pretty good, the slight imperfections are only noticeable if your nose is within 3 feet, I used roll an tip. Btw, I got all my interlux paint from the SBO store, best prices I could find anywhere and fast shipping.
Here is a nice, side-by-side application comparison between the polyurethane topside paints. The roll and tip method of application is a great way to use these paints because they keep a long wet time and the roller allows you to get the right paint on the surface. Plan on two coats. None of these paints is as durable as the two-part paints, but they are much easier to work with. Kind of fun to see your project take on a wet-shine.
If I were going to paint my topside, I'd go with a greenish brown that matches the stains that the water is going to impart anyway.
I have been seeing boats with a vinyl wrap instead of paint, one is a few years old and still looks new, I wonder what that would cost ?
Hope im not hijacking the post if so ill start a fresh thread. I come from a automotive back ground I was an autobody combination tech for 20 years and I was going to spray mine so any thoughts on spray vs role and tip
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,384
From what I've learned reading about this issue, spraying requires the skill, equipment, and paint chemistry knowledge not usual in the typical dyi boat owner. Roll and tip with the paints in current use do match the average skill set of the dyi boat owner. Some folks do a better job and the are rewarded with oohs and ahhs of others. My take is you may get a thicker coating using the roll and tip method. Maybe a bit more scratch resistance. Suspect with the spray skills you could layer on enough coats to get similar results.
What I found was the world's best fiber-glassworkers and Painters. I use to live in Palm Beach, Fla. and grew up with the best.. Yes! The best.. Surfers.. They started opening surf shops painting, fiber-glassing, Repairs and making surfboards day in and day out. They know how to do the job right. So find a local surf shop and hire a Pro! Hope this helps!
If you have an indoor place to spray, and you obviously have the experience and equipment, then spray is the ideal application method. The roll and tip method is just the best alternative for those of us who lack a big boat shed to spray, the equipment, and/or skills and are restricted to dock-side maintenance or work on the trailer/stands outdoors. Any quality Marine paint will include suggested thinning ratios for spray application.
Be careful spraying two part paints, a respirator must be used. If even small amounts get into your lungs it can kill!!!
isocyanates go right through a conventional painters "respirator" and are very serious stuff to conceder. Not only do they easily go past a respirator, they are easily absorbed by the skin, and especially your eyes. A fresh air system and full painters suit are a requirement to use automotive and similar paints these days. I have several seriously ill and one dead friend to vouch for this. please research and understand isocyanates before you DIY spray automotive paint products.
Trust me I know what yall mean about respirators and exposing my self to chemicals I was a bed liner guy at a Chevy dealer and we didn't have the correct gear I caught pneumonia from inhailing all that crap.