awlgrip prep

[PressureDrop]

reading the info on their web site got me really worked up about getting it perfect, and they name all these products and such, but im going with west systems for fairing and filling so im hoping you guys who awlgriped yours can tell me exactly what you did, i.e. what grit paper between which coats? thanks!

Ben

p.s. - this board has been very quite recently, i hope everyone is eather out on the water in their seacraft or working hard at getting it there! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Scott]

Hey Ben

While I have yet to start the paint process I have looked into to it pretty extensively. You've probably already looked at it but there was a discussion/thread in Repairs/mods that I started called "Painting". A lot of the discussion involved Fellow-Ship and myself....As Fellow-ship was in the middle of painting his boat you might be able to pick some stuff out of that. Also, as Fellow-Ship suggested to me, there is a video put out by Bennett Marine on "How to Awlgrip your boat". The video is short but its OK as it shows you how to Roll and Tip and takes some of the mystery out of the application process (plus seeing someone painting versus reading or discussing “how to” has major advantages) . They talk all about how to prep and apply the two part epoxy paints. I have also talked with Technical personnel at both Awlgrip and at Sterling Paints several times. I have to say that both were very nice but I would have to say that Sterling support seems to have the edge. Very willing to help me through the process if I ran into trouble while applying the paint….and really gave me the confidence that the paint can (relatively easily) be roll and tipped with great results. Fellow-Ship has proven this and I really believe it can successfully be done…… with proper preparation and patience and good weather Oh yeah that “other” paint manufacturer didn’t quite give me the same feeling for "hand application roll and tip"…… [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Your sandpaper question ….I’m sure you know but the smoother the hull is when you start the better the paint job will come out…..

Then again you could always Gel-coat it ....... talk to Trayder 'bout that [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ July 08, 2002, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]

[PressureDrop]

scott - thanks, what 2 part paint does sterling make? ive heard reports of awlgrip brushing very well...

[Scott]

Ben just going to warn you this is going to get long!!
I was also ready to use Awlgrip as that seems to be the “name" for boat finishes.. But only because that’s the one that you hear the most about…..In reality I’m merely looking for the product that will give me the best finish with my abilities.

I have heard the same... and then some. Some say dont use this…. use that ... this ones no good… this one is.... Spray /don’t spray/cant spray … you get the picture. Bottom line they are all two-part aliphatic linear polyurethane coatings …… and everyone has a favorite that they are comfortable applying. I’ve talked with several Boatyards/restorers…One uses Interspray and nothing else the other uses Awlgrip the third uses Imron and cant stand the others. The marina where I keep the boat will spray Interspray or Awlgrip which ever I want and they made no comments about roll and tipping but the boats that they were spraying with Awlgrip were meticulously done ( they also charge a premium for their work…but this is where all the big custom battle wagons seem to migrate to get sprayed). …They did tell me that they are more comfortable using Awlgrip. I’ve heard Interspray is easily repairable whereas Awlgrip can be challenging to match color….( I personally feel any of the pigmented paint colors after time would be challenging to match )

From what I have gathered the differences between the products comes in how the chemical bonding occurs and with the Brushing/thinning agents as this allows the paint to flow into the mirror finish (seems some products will flow into a mirror finish with less difficulty). I have seen a couple of boats that were rolled and tipped with Awlgrip and I was not impressed…Bear in mind the person applying the coating has all to do with the final finish…One was a 35 Bertram that the hull was total “Orange peel”. On the flip side I have seen a boat that was sprayed with Interspray that was unbelievable…. It looked like the boat was just popped out of its mold…It was very high gloss and mirror like….but I have heard more negative than positive about this product….

I’m "keyed" in on the Sterling products for two reasons. One is what Fellow-Ship has had to say about the product…and the positive comments he has received from passerby’s. Two is the info and help I have received from Sterling. This down to the point that they wanted to know what color I was looking for …. So not only did the standard color chart come but also paint chips in varying shades of colors and whites that I had interest in (these custom colors were not represented on the charts and I was told that the chips also truly represent the color I will see when the job is done). Sterling/Detco has given me much more confidence in my ability to get a professional looking finish than has the others with one flat out not recommending it for roll and tip explaining that the chances of getting that professional finish are slim…….that is yet to be seen but Fellow-Ship sounds happy with his handy work using Sterling.

Sorry this is so long ….. but it took a lot longer to gather up all this insight to these products…..I dont know about you but this is something if I'm going to attempt to do I want it to come out looking the best it can the first time. I just hope it helps you in some way!!!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Here is Sterling’s link http://www.detcomarine.com/

[ July 08, 2002, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]

[PressureDrop]

scott - thanks allot! what is "orange peel"? also i looked for the old topic on painting but i seems the old stuff is lost (i.e more then a month old) [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA BEN
IF YOU GO TO REPAIRS THEN GO TO THE TOP RIGHT CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF DAYS POSTED TO LAST YEAR AND YOU WILL FIND THE THREAD ABOUT PAINTING.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Scott]

"Orange peel" is just that. The surface that you have painted has a very uneven texture much like the surface of an orange. It happens when the paint doesn’t flow properly and "flatten out" to give you the mirror finish. Causes are many including poor application techniques, weather, improper addition of brushing/thinning agents to accommodate for the ambient conditions etc….

The "Old Thread" is there, just follow Fellow-Ships advice.....If you cant find it we'll post the link [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]