[rbrasi]

So, I'm mentally preparing to paint my deck and before I do, I want to fill all the cracks, dings and assorted holes (meaning places where hardware was moved by PO and the screw holes were filled improperly). I've begun the process by using West Systems Epoxy and 407 filler. I've faired it in most spots, and ready for the next step. But I am a little confused- Once filled and faired, do I simply brush some Epoxy over the holes to seal, then prime/paint? Or do I need to add a few coats of gelcoat first? I haven't yet decided on which paint and non-skid I'm using. Lets just say for arguments sake I'm going with an Interlux two part.
So, to be clear:
Fill/fair
Prime
Paint
..or..
Fill/fair
Gelcoat
Prime
Paint

 

[Westsailforever]

If your all ready faired why not prime /paint ? I have fixed holes , chips , cracks . I use 3M Marine filler and single part Interlux with no prime . Buts that's me and I'm fixing small things. I would agree with you that the 2 part is the way to go . Good luck !

 

[tommays]

It depends i am a paint person as my topsides and in general swiss cheese hull left few reasonable other ways

 

[rbrasi]

Tommay:
I see that you removed old guages from the bulkhead next to the campanionway. I have to do that. I'm going to look at your blog now, but It appears that you cut some marine ply and fitted them in the holes. Can you tell me how you backed those, then did you just epoxy them in then fair?

 

[pdqaltair]

Really, in all fairness to you, you are not going to learn this from a few questions on a forum. There are good books (West System has one, but there are many) on FRP repair. It is a process, with many steps, materials to learn, tools you ought to get, pitfalls, and shortcuts. You can do this project, but you need to take the course, so to speak, not just ask for the answers.

I would look at this as a learning opportunity; it's going to take longer than you think and cost more than you think, but if you focus on the process, you will learn a lot.

 

[hellosailor]

rb-
If you have just been filling in screw holes and mounting holes, and you have filled them in with an epoxy product, and faired that in? Then you just apply primer and paint (excuse me, "coating") over it just like the rest of the deck.

Or are you filling in large holes like the removed instruments, where plugs have had to be fit? If you have fitted something like wood plugs, they should be sealed, preferably with a penetrating sealer, and faired over. Otherwise they would absorb the "paint" products differently and telegraph through--unless your coating says that's not necessary. Products differ, and whatever the instructions for the product you've chosen say, is the best advice on how to use them.

 

[tommays]

The plugs were cut to match the original core and epoxied in the glass was beveled out to a reasonable distance and then a layup was done to the original thickness finished with some fairing compound

 

[desert rat]

so the question is whether over a properly filled and sealed deck you can just prime and paint or should you should, can, prime re gelcoat and finish up? I KNOW NOTHING. I would think that over larger areas gelcoat would be advisable. over something small primer over epoxy and finish should be fine.

 

[SOVT]

The short answer is, West says to coat fillers with a coat of neat epoxy. I apply the epoxy and then use a spreader to clean it down to a thin skim coat. Don't forget to de-blush.
As stated above West has a great deal of info on their websight. There is one book devoted to filling and fairing. All free.

 

[newhaul]

If just filling screw holes just fair and prime with primer that is recomended and compatable with the epoxy resin then paint just the same as surrounding deck

 

[mitiempo]

So, I'm mentally preparing to paint my deck and before I do, I want to fill all the cracks, dings and assorted holes (meaning places where hardware was moved by PO and the screw holes were filled improperly). I've begun the process by using West Systems Epoxy and 407 filler.

There is zero reason to gelcoat if you are going to paint. There is at least one reason not to gelcoat - it doesn't stick well to epoxy.

Cover the filled holes with neat epoxy as posted. Sand, prime, and paint as directed by the manufacturer of the paint you choose.

 

[rbrasi]

Thanks, people. I have done as the West book advises with the neat coat of epoxy. I forgot to mention that I have molded non-skid that I plan on using gel coat over to match the old pattern. I'm waiting for the pattern mold to arrive in the mail. Many of these holes are on the non-skid, so I don't want flat parts where they used to be. As far as I know, gel coat is the best way to do this. If anyone disagrees, please do! If it doesn't stick well to epoxy, maybe I should just use the mold on a layer of epoxy, then squeegee it.

 

[Antibes]

Two part primer if your going to use two part paint.