One of the many projects that I am attempting this spring is to refurbish my rudder. I have a transom hung rudder that has seen better days. I have finished fairing and sanding and am now ready for paint. Other than bottom paint, I have not had any experience with painting techniques on a boat. I figured that painting the rudder would provide some good practice for possibly painting the entire topsides sometime in the future. What kind of paint would anyone recommend for a novice? I have done some research but I am rather daunted by all of the choices available to me. I am planning to roll/tip. What kind of roller material is the best choice?
Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.
Mark
Topside Paint Questions
Topside Paint Questions
Mark
Huntington, NY
'82 Catalina 25 FK/SR #3202
"Good News"
Huntington, NY
'82 Catalina 25 FK/SR #3202
"Good News"
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Tim
- Shipwright Extraordinaire
- Posts: 5708
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2003 6:39 pm
- Boat Name: Glissando
- Boat Type: Pearson Triton
- Location: Whitefield, ME
- Contact:
I don't know what your basic painting skills are, but I'd also suggest you try Perfection. This is a two-part paint specifically designed to be rolled and brushed. (I have not ever used it, by way of disclaimer.)
If you want to use a one-part, I'd suggest you check out the Epifanes poly-and mono-urethanes. I have had occasion to use this in the past and liked it quite a lot--I found it to be an excellent product to apply, at least (it wasn't my boat, so I don't know how the paint held up over time).
I am not a fan of Interlux Brightsides polyurethane so would not recommend that route. One can get a good initial finish with this, but it's not an easy paint to apply well, and the initial shine disappears quickly. This is based on my experience with it. Almost every other marine paint I have used has better application properties than Brightsides. Typically, I like Interlux paints, but I don't know where they went wrong with Brightsides.
Though foam is the choice of many people, in my opinion and experience one can always get a better overall finish using better brushes and rollers. Depending on your basic paint skill, there may be a learning curve either way you go, since the paints may be unlike what you're used to. Get to know the paint, regardless of your application tools, and you'll always get better results.
I'd suggest a good-quality bristle brush of the appropriate makeup for the paint, and 3/16" nap "Candy Stripe" mohair rollers. As a general rule, I like 7" rollers and 2" brushes myself. I find the mohair rollers (and in particular the "Candy Stripe" brand from Woosley) spread paint very nicely--enough without being too much--and the success of the final surface is entirely dependent on the brush you use for tipping. They don't leave bits of nap behind. For high-gloss finishes, note that pre-cleaning your brush and roller in the appropriate solvent helps remove loose nap or bristles before you begin.
Remember that the key to eliminating brush strokes in your final finish is proper reduction (thinning) of the paint. This will vary from paint to paint and day to day, but having the paint at the right consistency is what allows it to level out after being rolled/brushed. The best brush, with improper paint reduction, will still leave brush marks (and so will foam). So learn how to judge the paint and adjust its consistency appropriately. This only comes with experience, so try some test panels and learn the ins and outs of the paint you choose.
Good luck!
If you want to use a one-part, I'd suggest you check out the Epifanes poly-and mono-urethanes. I have had occasion to use this in the past and liked it quite a lot--I found it to be an excellent product to apply, at least (it wasn't my boat, so I don't know how the paint held up over time).
I am not a fan of Interlux Brightsides polyurethane so would not recommend that route. One can get a good initial finish with this, but it's not an easy paint to apply well, and the initial shine disappears quickly. This is based on my experience with it. Almost every other marine paint I have used has better application properties than Brightsides. Typically, I like Interlux paints, but I don't know where they went wrong with Brightsides.
Though foam is the choice of many people, in my opinion and experience one can always get a better overall finish using better brushes and rollers. Depending on your basic paint skill, there may be a learning curve either way you go, since the paints may be unlike what you're used to. Get to know the paint, regardless of your application tools, and you'll always get better results.
I'd suggest a good-quality bristle brush of the appropriate makeup for the paint, and 3/16" nap "Candy Stripe" mohair rollers. As a general rule, I like 7" rollers and 2" brushes myself. I find the mohair rollers (and in particular the "Candy Stripe" brand from Woosley) spread paint very nicely--enough without being too much--and the success of the final surface is entirely dependent on the brush you use for tipping. They don't leave bits of nap behind. For high-gloss finishes, note that pre-cleaning your brush and roller in the appropriate solvent helps remove loose nap or bristles before you begin.
Remember that the key to eliminating brush strokes in your final finish is proper reduction (thinning) of the paint. This will vary from paint to paint and day to day, but having the paint at the right consistency is what allows it to level out after being rolled/brushed. The best brush, with improper paint reduction, will still leave brush marks (and so will foam). So learn how to judge the paint and adjust its consistency appropriately. This only comes with experience, so try some test panels and learn the ins and outs of the paint you choose.
Good luck!
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Forum Founder--No Longer Participating
Forum Founder--No Longer Participating