Just bought paint

[48dodge]

Ouch! Painting my 222 in it's entirety. Along with the primers, sealers, and non-skid paints. Good thing I just sold one of my cars recently! Hope to get the paint soon and I'll be ready to start slapping it on. I've got a little bit of repair work and fairing before paint. I've got to wait for a cooler day before that can happen though. I did a test with my epoxy yesterday and it started smoking so I figured I'll wait.

 

[JoshGray]

Hot!

Brad,I know that it has been as hot or hotter in SC as it has been in NC. You are wise to wait for a cooler day. Especially for the epoxy. I've also had epoxy smoke and bubble... I kept a piece of the cured mess as a reminder! The key to epoxy in hot weather is to use a very broad mixing cup so the mixture doesn't get too hot. That and do small batches at a time. I've been successful mixing up to two-pumps of West System in 90+ degree weather, with fast hardener, but it'd be easier with slow hardener.Good luck with your painting! What kind of paint did you get? I painted my decks, cockpit, cabin sole and cabin walls. It was the longest job I've ever done! As I'm sure you know, the keys are substrate prep (use the proper cleaners and dewaxers for your paint) and the thinner/paint mixture (which is temperature dependent). Get those right and you are 90% of the way to a great paint job.Good luck, can't wait to see how she looks!Cheers,

 

[48dodge]

All interlux

I ended up going with all Interlux. For bottom paint, I went with their "value" line called Nautical brand Super Ablative. For the topsides and deck I'm going with Brightside. Pre-kote for the primer. Also 2000 to seal the bottom and the repairs I've got to do there. Oh yeah, Interdeck for the nonslip. I was really surprised the epoxy got as hot as it did. I think it may have had something to do with the silica I added to it. I use West and did 1 squirt of each because I needed just a little bit for a non-boat patch. I hadn't mixed up the silica before so I mixed it up. That stuff cures hard! Also, I have the slow hardener (206). Maybe I should've gotten the Extra Slow! I think it was in the low 90's when I was playing around with it, though.

 

[JoshGray]

Good Luck

Brad,I also used the Interlux Brightsides/Interdeck/Pre-Kote products. I am very pleased with the finish. Of course, the true test is how it holds up and we both know that a one-part product will not be as durable as the two-part products. I put two coats of pre-kote, three coats of brightsides and two coats of Interdeck. You can check out the results at my site.The silica thickener is probably at fault. With only one squirt of West System and slow hardener, it should've been fine even in 90 degree weather. I would just suggest using a very wide mixing cup and keep the mixture as spread out as possible. I too was surprised at how quickly it got that hot!Good luck,

 

[48dodge]

Your boat

I look at your site all the time for inspiration. Luckily I don't have to do nearly as much as you in some areas. Other areas we're on the same page. I have some hull and bottom repairs, but luckily not nearly as many core repairs as you. My core repairs can be fixed with epoxy, thankfully.

 

[Joe11688]

Take your time with this job

I've never done any epoxy painting, but I've been told that the prep work is the hardest thing to do. The actual painting is very easy, (so it says here in small print.) As for the heat of West System Epoxy; the stuff is always hot when you mix the catalyst, even on a cool day. If you do any sanding of fiberglass on your boats, wear the best breathing apparatus that you can get. We have a fellow at a local boatyard up the river who just discovered that he has lung Cancer. He is part owner of the yard and had done all the fiberglass repair and gel coating for years. He used every precaution to protect his health including a full face shield breathing apparatus. He recently had shortness of breath and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors don't expect him to live very long. Good luck with your projects guys!Joe