Interlux paint custom color?

[primerate]

Can I have Interlux Brightsides custom mixed to match my gunnels? I am painting my hatch lids (inside) and want to match the facory gelcoat on the boat if possible. The boat is 12 yrs old and looks great but they sprayed the hatch lids very sparingly and it is shot. I have a piece from the boat that could be color matched.
Thanks!

[DJ]

I've never found anyone that would even try. The problem, they said, was because there are so many different "tintable" bases and they only know the formulas for theirs.

[TheWoodCrafter]

You could try this yourself if you have an eye for color.
I recently bought Brightside white and blue. I plan on adding some white to lighten the blue to the shade I want. You can buy quarts of any colors and mix them.

[drewpster]

I have heard of people mixing different Interlux paints to get the color they want. I remember reading somewhere on their website that doing this is an acceptable practice. The trick will be to keep accurate records of the amounts of tint paint added to your base color. Without exact mixing it would be impossible to repeat the color for a next coat or for touch-ups in the future.
I think the best idea would be to develop exacting ratios of colors until the proper tint is found. Then mix that color.

[TheWoodCrafter]

Your right Dewpster, you need to keep track of what you are doing.
I use stainless steel measuring spoons. Wash after each sample and mix completely. Keep a story board with the mixed color and the formula written on it.
You need to start with a given sample quantity, not the whole quart. Start by adding the smallest amount of color you can because you can go past the color very fast.

[primerate]

Thanks to everyone for the help. What about taking a piece of the boat to HD or Lowes and having it color matched and get the formula and then at least I would have the major tints that were in the final color but I guess that would depend a lot on the base? Maybe I will give it a try with basic white and report back if it helps.

[DJ]

I contacted my local Ace Hardware this morning. They know who I am. I give them a lot of business. They said they will give it a shot. They have a color matching system.

In the past, they have nailed several other boat colors I have brought to them using their paints.

[primerate]

DJ,
Thanks for the info on ACE. Do they sell a comparable quality of marine paint?

[DJ]

DJ,Thanks for the info on ACE. Do they sell a comparable quality of marine paint?

No, they do not. They have oil and latex based enamals only.

I'm going to pick up some base white Interlux this weekend and give them a shot.

[drewpster]

DJ, What are you going to use to tint the paint? Are the Ace tints latex base?

[DJ]

DJ, What are you going to use to tint the paint? Are the Ace tints latex base?

Ace sells both latex and enamel paints but not epoxy paints. Their tints are for both, so they say.

I figured I would pick up a quart of Interlux white and see what happens.

[TheWoodCrafter]

I would try to find out what Interlux recommends for tint.
There specs should tell you.
In California here with our VOC laws, some tints are not available anymore.
The wrong type of tint will affect the drying of the paint.

[DJ]

I found this at Boatbuilding.net

"Question: Can I change the color of paint in the can?

Answer: The only way we recommend changing the color of our paints is to mix like paints, ie. Mixing Brightside with Brightside. We do not recommend addition of "universal" tints or pigments into our products. Yacht paint products are formulated to withstand harsh conditions and additions of universal tinters or any such products may affect water resistance, long term durability and may also slow down the drying time of the paint. We would also strongly discourage anyone from adding anything to antifouling paints that is not already mentioned on the label. Apart from affecting performance such additions may be illegal as antifouling paints are registered with a unique formula and addition of unauthorized materials, especially active ones to " improve " performance changes this unique formula"

I am going to try a bright tan (not much tint) and see what happens. I'll try a test first to see if it effects drying or color.

[TheWoodCrafter]

There you go.

I don't think I would take a $35 qt of Interlex to Ace Hardware.