When to paint Sailboat

[Erbardy]

This forum has been so helpful! I have my new 1974 catalina 22 in a garage storage and have prepared it to be painted. I have all the hardware off and the deck, topside and belly have been prepared to be painted. Just have to wait until the weather cooperatres here in western PA. Question is............is April a good month to paint eventhough it may dip below 50 at night? I see that paints need to be above 50F to dry properly. Is it a problem if it dips below 50 at night?

Also, do I paint from the top down or the bottom up?

 

[jssailem]

To dry the temps need to be above 50 24 hours. If not the paint will not dry and harden properly.

Your choice. Just do not paint your self into a corner that you can not escape.

 

[dlochner]

If you paint from the top down and drip, you can clean up the drips without damaging the new paint. If you paint from the bottom up, cleaning up drips will affect the hard work and paint you have already applied.

 

[Joe]

If you're rolling and tipping.....you do a section at a time... I like to roll vertical and tip horizontal towards the wet edge of the previous section. Topside paint is very forgiving in the way it lays out as long as you follow manufacturer's instructions for thinning... (i.e. use the thinning and brushing liquids they recommend.) Using their temp guidelines, the paint should dry to touch in an hour and be ready for second coat prep and application in 24 hrs. Don't for get to use the recommended primer.... and most importantly... don't be intimidated … you will be delighted at the simplicity of the process and the resulting spectacular results.

 

[rgranger]

If it is too cold you will get an “orange peel” finish. I’ve made that mistake once and had to sand all over again

 

[Erbardy]

If it is too cold you will get an “orange peel” finish. I’ve made that mistake once and had to sand all over again

i understand. I may have to wait until June then.......In april it is above 50 during the day but can dip below 50 at night. I have a two week work trip[ in May. I may not be able to get to it until June.........

 

[shemandr]

I'm sure you are aware that while you can get nights that don't drop below 50F at that lattitude in April, but it is well into May before that is a regular event. Are you painting in the garage? Speaking about the North Fork of LI, just about the time it was warm enough to paint the trees would start weeping pollen or whatever that green patina on everything is. Not Good for new paint! I've come to think that painting indoors or in shelter is the way to go the Northeast in Spring. If you're in the garage you can add some heat for the 24 hr. period. Otherwise maybe you can tent the boat.
Nevertheless, I did paint my mast in February in my back yard facing South and sheltered against the house. It was one of those 3 day warm air masses that just seemed to hang on. No bugs, no pollen - God smiled upon that project. It can happen.