Re: painting 17' boat be basic to me
You are able to paint a boat bottom that size using only two quarts because marine paint covers very well. Unlike the paints you may have used around the house, marine paints work more like a coating rather than a paint. I cannot compare it to any paint I have ever used around the house. It goes on with a roller and a brush but it is nothing like latex house paint you may have used. Special emphasis is placed on getting the paint applied evenly and smoothly. That is why a roller AND a brush are used to apply it.
Simply put the process goes like this:
Cleaning and Dewaxing MUST be done prior to any sanding. Wax is used as a release agent during the manufacture of the hull. This wax must be removed. It can remain on the surface after many years so this step needs to get followed. If you sand without dewaxing, wax and contaminates can be sanded into the surface making it very difficult to remove.
After cleaning and dewaxing the surface needs to be sanded to provide for paint adhesion and to clean it further. (normally with 220 grit until the surface is dull) Also sand into scrapes or damage for filling.
After sanding another wipe down with dewaxing solvent (not acetone) to remove final traces of all contaminates and sanding residue.
Fill any scratches or damage it this point with marine fillers and sand them fair (level). Wipe down again.
Marine topside paints shine and they will show any defects you leave in the surface. Sand and fill until you are satisfied everything is smooth flat and level. Wipe it again.
Apply primer as directed by the paint you use. Contrary to popular belief primer is not used specifically for helping the paint to adhere. You can apply the paint at this point. However I do not recommend it. Primer works as a final surfacer in prep for the paint. It will fill tiny defects and once sanded it will provide a glass smooth surface. The less defects the better, especially when using darker colored paint. (normally 2 coats sanded between coats then final sanded just prior to painting)
You cannot use dewaxer to wipe down after sanding primer or paint at this point. It will remove the primer or at least damage it. Wipe down using the recommended thinner for the primer you use to remove residue.
Once you have sanded and primed until you are sick of sanding, sand a little more and check the whole surface very well as you go. Wipe it down again with thinner just prior to painting.
If you have spent too much money on sandpaper, sanded until you fingers are sore and fretted over every spec of contamination or surface defects you are just about ready for paint. Check it again.
Apply the paint using a roller designed for marine paints. Marine paints have strong solvents that will destroy common foam rollers. I recommend closed cell dense foam rollers. I have used short nap mohair rollers but they shed a little and I hate that. Now I use foam. Apply the paint in thin coats using the roller then lightly wipe (tipping) the surface of the wet paint in one direction with a natural bristle brush. (China Bristle or badger hair brush) Tip the paint with the brush to remove bubbles and stipple left by the roller in the wet paint. Tip the paint just enough to get it smooth, do not overwork the surface. If you make a mistake or a fly lands in the paint come back and fix it later. Trying to brush the bugger out will only make matters worse. It normally takes two or three coats sanded and wiped down between them.
Wallah! Shiney new boat bottom!
There is some stuff I left out concerning weather conditions and more hints and tips. You can see the process for yourself on the Interlux website. The video presented is for the "perfection" two part product Interlux makes however the process is the same for using single part Brightside. Look for "Perfection Video" at the right on the page. See link below.
Here are some specific products,
Dewaxer- Interlux solvent wash 202
Primer- Interlux Prekote, 333 thinner, using roll/ tip method
filler- Interlux Watertite filler
Paint- Interlux Brightside, 333 thinner, using roll/ tip method
Interlux Perfection, 2333N thinner, roll/ tipped (harder two part paint)
http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/default.asp
