Painting the mast

[Tom]

I know hindsight is 20-20 and all that, but if you had been able to bring the mast into the barn after painting it (a rolling dolly under each horse?) then presumably it would have dried glossy?

[Tim]

So many things would have gone better if the mast had been inside the barn. However, the physical limitations of the space inside, with two boats, benches, "stuff", and the like, prevented it. Or at least prevented any attempts at the time, since the painting problems, while not unforeseen, were at least unanticipated.

I think sometime later this winter I'll try to wedge the mast inside for a final paint job. I only needs to be inside for a couple days. It will fit, if I go at an angle between the two boats and don't mind rearranging everything inside.

But yes: only the outdoor location ruined the paint job. If the mast had been inside in a controlled environment, I would have tasted success on the first paint day.