PAINTING HULL TOPSIDES - POWER & SAIL

We first gained experience with painting hulls during the years of constructing Sceptres, as several 41s and 43s had custom paintwork.   In painting a hull for the marine environment it is recommended that two part polyurethane paints be used as these have the best gloss and longevity.  As in all painting preparation is 95% of the job.  When preparing a gel coated surface a wash and dewax is performed.  Then blemishes or any required repairs are completed.  If the boat has sheer and boot stripes, these are measured and noted for reapplication later.  The boat is then sanded 80 grit all round.  This makes a good key for the two part epoxy based primer. Following the primer application, a further sanding at 320 grit is performed.  The boat is then masked and prepped for the colour shoot.  Dependant on colours, lights are generally three coats, darks are generally four. On the following day the tapes are pulled and the paint is left to cure for at least a further 48 hours.  At this point the stripes are then plotted, masked, lightly scuffed and shot with the owner's choice of colour. 

PAINTING DECKS & HOUSES

A similar process to hull painting but has to be broken down into sections, due to accessibility issues when shooting.  It's not uncommon to do the port half one week and starboard side the next.  Depending on the deck configurations there is a great deal more masking involved.  Outside and inside corners all complicate the process.  It is not uncommon for a deck paint job to cost 50% more per foot than a hull.

NON-SKID PAINT APPLICATIONS

If a deck requires painting, it is not uncommon to resurface the non skid areas at the same time.  After the smooth paint has been applied and cured, the non-skid areas are painted with the same paint but with the addition of a grit agent. 

PAINTING PLASTIC WINDOW FRAMES & LINERS

One excellent way to freshen the look of a boat interior, is to paint the plastic port and hatch trims with a plastic paint.   Older yellowed white vinyl liners can be brought back to life using a similar technique.

REFURBISHING ALUMINIUM WINDOW FRAMES & PORTS

If aluminium windows are showing pits or corrosion, they cannot be re-anodized successfully.  However, application of etching materials followed by a linear polyurethane paint usually provides acceptable results.

SOUND BARRIER PAINTS

On surfaces in engine compartments or machinery spaces, where traditional sound barrier cannot be applied, due to space limitations for example, there is a coating paint which can be utilized to assist with sound dampening.