What was to be the last major project before sailing has turned into a nightmare...painting my mast with "Perfection". The "saga" began more than a week ago...
Using what remained of a quart that I had bought last summer and used on the boom as a test case, which came out beautifully. Using the same can, I mixed up a fresh batch from the same cans this year to paint the mast. The first coat of perfection on the mast was applied over the appropriate Prime Coat. At 14:00 Hrs I started painting the first coat of Perfection; Finished rolling / tipping at approx. 15:30 Hrs. Conditions were clear with partial sun, temperature 19 degrees Celsius RH approx. 70 %. The results were impressive, and I took pictures the next morning. As two coats are recommended, two days later, at approximately 14:00 hrs., the weather looked promising, with sun and predominately blue skies through the afternoon, so I began mixing a new batch of “Perfection” from a new can just purchased a few days before. The mix was done in graduated containers to ensure a 2:1 ratio and applied, finishing at around 15:45 hrs. There was no precipitation afterwards or overnight, but on the morning of the 5th of June, I arrived to find the mast dry but with a dull finish, and the remnants of the last batch which I left uncovered in the bucket was still as fluid as when I had finished applying it to the mast the previous afternoon. It dried on the mast, but didn’t even “skim over” in the mixing container after more than 20 hours! I am certain of the ratio of paint to hardner, and concluded that there was something wrong with the paint. The dull coat seems well-adhered and doesn’t seem “chalky” (except in appearance).
The local chandlery replaced the paint with a can from a different batch, and I completed the application of the new can of Perfection at 13:00 hrs, (which went on like the others). I returned to check on it at 18:30 hours, to find it was dry to the touch, and had a brilliant high gloss finish. I thought "problem solved!" The overnight conditions - clear, no precipitation. The next morning I arrived at around 10 a.m. to once again find the finish matted and splotchy. The day of application it was sunny all day with highs around 80 degrees F. Why would the mast finish deteriorate after having a dry to touch level of hardness at 5 to 6 hours after application. I am now completely frustrated with this product. I chose it for it's purported hardness, durability and high gloss. While I appreciate that paints don't like water when they aren't dry, (but most will tolerate a little humidity after curing). I was wondering if a tarp laid on the mast for overnight (after drying to the touch) would help. Anyone have similar experience,... ideas?
Cheers, Barry :cry:
Using what remained of a quart that I had bought last summer and used on the boom as a test case, which came out beautifully. Using the same can, I mixed up a fresh batch from the same cans this year to paint the mast. The first coat of perfection on the mast was applied over the appropriate Prime Coat. At 14:00 Hrs I started painting the first coat of Perfection; Finished rolling / tipping at approx. 15:30 Hrs. Conditions were clear with partial sun, temperature 19 degrees Celsius RH approx. 70 %. The results were impressive, and I took pictures the next morning. As two coats are recommended, two days later, at approximately 14:00 hrs., the weather looked promising, with sun and predominately blue skies through the afternoon, so I began mixing a new batch of “Perfection” from a new can just purchased a few days before. The mix was done in graduated containers to ensure a 2:1 ratio and applied, finishing at around 15:45 hrs. There was no precipitation afterwards or overnight, but on the morning of the 5th of June, I arrived to find the mast dry but with a dull finish, and the remnants of the last batch which I left uncovered in the bucket was still as fluid as when I had finished applying it to the mast the previous afternoon. It dried on the mast, but didn’t even “skim over” in the mixing container after more than 20 hours! I am certain of the ratio of paint to hardner, and concluded that there was something wrong with the paint. The dull coat seems well-adhered and doesn’t seem “chalky” (except in appearance).
The local chandlery replaced the paint with a can from a different batch, and I completed the application of the new can of Perfection at 13:00 hrs, (which went on like the others). I returned to check on it at 18:30 hours, to find it was dry to the touch, and had a brilliant high gloss finish. I thought "problem solved!" The overnight conditions - clear, no precipitation. The next morning I arrived at around 10 a.m. to once again find the finish matted and splotchy. The day of application it was sunny all day with highs around 80 degrees F. Why would the mast finish deteriorate after having a dry to touch level of hardness at 5 to 6 hours after application. I am now completely frustrated with this product. I chose it for it's purported hardness, durability and high gloss. While I appreciate that paints don't like water when they aren't dry, (but most will tolerate a little humidity after curing). I was wondering if a tarp laid on the mast for overnight (after drying to the touch) would help. Anyone have similar experience,... ideas?
Cheers, Barry :cry:
