Topside paint /refinishing/Coating

[charliea]

I am refinishing my 26 foot Westerly Centaur. The topside is solid, but in need of refinishing. I jumped in , Ready! FIRE! Aim?
Someone said I needed an "Epoxy" so I called a place from a sailing magazine add that did fiberglass and epoxy and they sold me some.
After 2 days of painful trial and error i realized I didnt have what I was really after. I needed a "paint" like substance that I could apply to vertical surfaces etc. I wanted a clean crisp finish that would be durable, but wasn't impossible to apply.
So now I will get some more sand paper and go over the "epoxy test" and get ready for the new product.
I have talked to a few places and realized there are some good products out there that do what I need.
I would welcome any discussion and experiences you all have had with different products.
I am looking at this product "Supermarine Revolution" (sorry I couldnt post a link because i am a new guy)
Any experience with it?
Thanks!
Charlie

[Siamese]

Whether you're refinishing your topsides or your deck, the best paint is going to be a two-part (epoxy) paint. The leader in this is Awl-Grip. I would suggest you google that and you'll find not only the product itself but a wealth of information and lore with regard to applying it.

You'll find that applying the Awl-Grip is easy enough...it's the preparation that'll take your time. To get satisfactory to excellent results requires a smooth, prepared surface.

With regard to "ready, fire, aim?", I'd have to say there's a lot more "ready" and "aim" to be done prior to the "fire". The good news is that, as I mentioned, there's a wealth of info available to you and the results can be stunning to the point of looking like new or better than new. The bad news...it doesn't happen without considerable work.

[Faster]

Here's a Sailnet search on the topic.. plenty to browse through and get some ideas.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/search...earchid=488730

[sailingfool]

Awlgrip is a product intended for professional application only, so skip that idea. You should consider products designed for DIY use, see a consumer product such as PERFECTION at
yachtpaint.com - the official site of International and Interlux paints.

[imagine2frolic]

I am far from being a professional, and I have managed with awl-grip. Do the roll, and tip method on the stern. The secret it to apply it thin with the roller, and then tip it gently with the brush. You can come back the next mkorning, and give it a second coat without sanding, and then a third, so, and so on. DO NOT try to apply a second coat the same day.

I have painted my cockpit, white stripe, and bridgedeck house with several coats, and only used a half gallon. I have put three coats on my hulls, and used less than a half gallon. I probably have 4 times the square footage you have to paint at least........i2f

[Faster]

I too have used Awlgrip as an amateur.. it's doable. As has been already alluded to it's the prep that gives the ultimate result. We sprayed it with a HVLP system with acceptable results (professional? no... but times better than the original chalky faded surface)

That said, I've heard good things about Interlux Perfection too, and have used Imron in the past as well....

Do your preparation, do your research and I'm sure you'll be happy with the result.

[tommays]

Awlgrip and Perfection are pretty much the same with the main difference being how there marketed in the USA

If you look at European marketed Perfection you will find the full array of solvents to use at different temperatures not just brush OR spray