Best marine Paint

[drewpster]

I know I am opening a can of worms here, but I appreciate all the member's opinions, and I want to hear some of them.
I was hoping to compile some likes/ dislikes of the marine paint you have used.
I have used Interlux two-part Perfection and single pack Brightside paints. I had good results and I would use them again.

Likes- The fact that I can get everything I need in the same brand name. That way there are no compatibility issues in the system I am using. I like that I can use common tools (roller/ brush) and the paint yields a great smooth shine that looks sprayed.

Dislikes- It is very finicky. It does not like wind and you have to watch weather conditions very closely. It is expensive, so if you screw it up, it's costly. It takes ALLOT of prep because the level of shine shows every little defect.

Overall I recommend it. But it is best suited to picky people like me. And by picky, I mean, OCD is a lifestyle rather than an illness.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Best marine Paint

Hiyas Drewpsters...

IMHO the origional Awl Grip ( L.P. ) is the best .. Sterling made the same thing as well.

However LP is very very hard to repair. but wet wet look.

Next to that would be Awlcraft 2000 or Imron .. well you might consider this first if repairability is an issue. Ez to spray ONLY .. You cant roll and tip Awlcraft.

Imron has many many colors to choose from and you can custom make/match colors.

Primer is another important question.... I use US Paint ( Awlgrip ) 545 2 part epoxy primer with T0006 reducer. sand with 400g and paint.

There are good paints out there ( Dupont has some good ones also..expensive in time and labor/process ). Yea Imron IS dupont.

YD.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Best marine Paint

Hiya YD,
What kind of equipment do you use? Do you use an automotive type sprayer with a big tip? Some kind of airless?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Best marine Paint

Hiya Drewp..

2 qt pressure pot for most applications.
3 gal adjitated PP for metalics or large sprays.

Im using 2-3 guns.. one is a Snap on 1.4 and the (sometimes) finish gun is a DeVilbis JGA high end gun ( secret setup ) or even a Binks 2001 gun with secret setup...tip,nozzle and air cap.

The thing about 1 Qt setups are .. 1. hard to lift for the wrist.. 2. Not even close to what 2 QT PP setup can do ( Pressure,air,fan or even application .. I can shoot Imron/AwlG all the way up/down to Gelcoat ).

YD.

PS. I know this is spray app...what would you use ?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best marine Paint

I have only painted with perfection brightsides and rustoleum, used a roll and roll method every time with good to fantastic results..in a amatures opinion.

Perfection

Hard as nails
Absolute mirror finish
Simple to apply..(no spraying)


Brightsides

Strong finish
Simple to appy
Great wet look

Rustoleum

Easy to apply
Uniform finish
Lots of color selection

For myself its all about the money you want to spend...But i will say this Perfection is a stand alone product in terms of finish quality and hardness it amazes me. In the below pic that van you see in the reflection is over 60 feet away...Ive neve seen a paint like it before..

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Best marine Paint

Nice job TG..

What year,make model is that ?

YD.

PS. You do understand that most DIY self Rol-n-tippers will not get this kind of result .. ( Did you Sand and Buff .. or is this just R&T ? ).

 

[redfury]

Re: Best marine Paint

Nice job TG..

What year,make model is that ?

YD.

PS. You do understand that most DIY self Rol-n-tippers will not get this kind of result .. ( Did you Sand and Buff .. or is this just R&T ? ).

Yeah, that's my fear. I see some of these gorgeous paints and wonder if I'm going to get something half as nice. OCD works great for paint, ADD does not. It's going to be a struggle for me when it comes to painting the boat. I may end up having a friend come and shoot it for me when it's all said and done.

My concerns lie more in durability, adhesion and the other nuances I wouldn't think of when it comes to deciding on a paint. Seems to me that this sections of Iboats would benefit from a Paint sticky.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Best marine Paint

Your right on track Red..

Adheasion and then properties ( wet look , ease of application.., cost .. ).

Your prep IS everything and anyone who has ever prepped a boat for Top coat is well aware of the time and effort ( and cost ) of abrasives, time planning etc.

Now its time to apply that final stage of paint that will reflect all your hard work ( days and days and weeks ). you want it to "Look" good, however you should also Need it to last eh ?

I would suggest that anything "out of the can" is a cost saving effective way to get the look..but not adherantly better then spending a few more bucks therefore saving time and more $ down the road. Just me ..

YD.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Best marine Paint

After doing my transom I wanted some paint to cover all the mishaps, I used interlux with teflon, a $2 brush and it looks perfect. Its pricey though.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best marine Paint

I feel like a jacka## but I gotta come on here and say Easypoxy sucks. I mean SUCKS. I painted my boat with it and came on this site recommending it to everyone due to the ease of application and the attractivness of the results. However, I now retract all of that because the durability is a JOKE! The paint is literally falling off the bottom of my boat and the sides look horrible. Due to the softness of the paint if my boat even looks at a dock or trailer it scratches. Absolute garbage.

My recommendation to others would be to either just go with Rustoleum or step up to a quality 2 part marine paint.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Best marine Paint

I feel like a jacka## but I gotta come on here and say Easypoxy sucks. I mean SUCKS. I painted my boat with it and came on this site recommending it to everyone due to the ease of application and the attractivness of the results. However, I now retract all of that because the durability is a JOKE! The paint is literally falling off the bottom of my boat and the sides look horrible. Due to the softness of the paint if my boat even looks at a dock or trailer it scratches. Absolute garbage.

My recommendation to others would be to either just go with Rustoleum or step up to a quality 2 part marine paint.

To Ezmo - I used Interlux Brightside on my two Sc's - and had the same problem with both - the hull pain cam right off. BUT of note: The primer came right off the hull taking the paint with it. I think - maybe - I did not rough the hull up enough - but I thought self etching primer would do the trick. I solved the problem by simply removeing the hull paint!

Plus not sure if comments for Aluminum can be compared to the Glassers

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Best marine Paint

Well don't sugar coat it ezmobee, tell us how you really feel.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Best marine Paint

Huge fan of rustoleum here, Works great, easy to use, and is very affordable. In my opinion, for the majority of amateurs, it is the best bang for your buck.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best marine Paint

To Ezmo - I used Interlux Brightside on my two Sc's - and had the same problem with both - the hull pain cam right off. BUT of note: The primer came right off the hull taking the paint with it. I think - maybe - I did not rough the hull up enough - but I thought self etching primer would do the trick. I solved the problem by simply removeing the hull paint!

Plus not sure if comments for Aluminum can be compared to the Glassers

Mine was not stripped to the bare aluminum. I had a solid prior paint job to work with. I thoroughly scuffed and cleaned it. Perhaps if I had used Easypoxy's primer that would have helped the adhesion (although I was under the impression this was not necessary). However, adhesion issues aside, I'm thinking it would still be a sh_t soft, not-durable paint.

 

[redfury]

Re: Best marine Paint

Well, as far as paints go, it's all going to depend on a lot of factors. If you bought old paint, then there's a good chance that you will have problems with it ( soft, flaking, etc ). Granted, old old paint that was using the lead and other very harsh chemicals properly stored may still provide a superior finish, but with the EPA and OSHA regs, paints are far from what they used to be ( just look at half the cars from the late 80's to late 90's...particularly the white ones, and tell me how well those paints are holding up ).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best marine Paint

Not sure if that was directed at my post or not. Mine was new from Jamestown Dist.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best marine Paint

Nice job TG..

What year,make model is that ?

YD.

PS. You do understand that most DIY self Rol-n-tippers will not get this kind of result .. ( Did you Sand and Buff .. or is this just R&T ? ).

Anyone can achieve that with patience.. And i do not tip with a brush..I just roll it out and come back with a dry roller and flatten it with closed cell rollers (foam)

That will leave a very fine nap that levels like glass...It takes about 4 coats to get that finish...each time you lay down a coat pay attention to how it lays out and learn..It may take 6 coats but its simple to sand out any problems your actually building to a final finsih that is the key...

No buffing just paint sand paint sand..One tip...in 70 degree weather sand the paint after 24 hours not 36 or 48 the paint is starting to get real hard by then...Its soft just like chalk..Makes life much easier...and drop the brushes..

Dont use acetone for a wipe down use xylene..acetone flashes off yo quickly it will not get all the impurities off the hull for good adhesion

 

[sasto]

Re: Best marine Paint

Hiyas Drewpsters...

IMHO the origional Awl Grip ( L.P. ) is the best .. Sterling made the same thing as well.

However LP is very very hard to repair. but wet wet look..

There are good paints out there ( Dupont has some good ones also..expensive in time and labor/process ). Yea Imron IS dupont.

YD.

On larger vessels the owners are usually recommended Awl-Grip, and my opinion would match the Dr's. Easy maint. and very, very durable. We have used Imron on smaller boats that will give you a new car look. We have also used Imron with Awl-Grip brushing activator with some success.

Another note about Easy poxy. Works good in the bilges for us, but that's about it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best marine Paint

Mine was not stripped to the bare aluminum. I had a solid prior paint job to work with. I thoroughly scuffed and cleaned it. Perhaps if I had used Easypoxy's primer that would have helped the adhesion (although I was under the impression this was not necessary). However, adhesion issues aside, I'm thinking it would still be a sh_t soft, not-durable paint.

Using interlux on alumin would be tough...it shows every wrinkle divit..bend everything...They make a Primekote which is in essence liquid fiberglass only harder...it makes for incredibly difficult sanding

The issue is sanding after painting...all those small irregularities in the metal..and cutting to deep..its frustrating and you have to always start with fresh material..perfection will melt any single part urethane or primer...but not gelcoat.. No primer needed and bonds very well.

 

[redfury]

Re: Best marine Paint

Not sure if that was directed at my post or not. Mine was new from Jamestown Dist.

Nope, I was just speaking in generalities for the interest of anyone reading this thread down the road, looking for info.