Question about topside paint / and cheaper price

[cuban1305]

I'm rebuilding a mako 22 foot and i would like to paint the topside of the boat Blue, i want the interlux paint but all are super expensive $38 a quart anyone knows any other brand or the same paint but at a cheaper price thanks in advance...

 

[bryanwess2000]

Re: Question about topside paint / and cheaper price

Research benjamin moore p22 or urethane alkd enamel, shermin williams makes
paints specific to various industries including marine. Some people use plain rustoleum or rustoleum marine. I used the p22 but couldn't get a level finish
other than spraying. The more expensive topside single part polyurethane
marine paints are basically the same as the p22 but may have better leveling
characteristics. I don't know I've never used them. I did however compare
the paints using the msds sheets.

 

[Damifudo]

Re: Question about topside paint / and cheaper price

One thing I did learn when I painted my boat is how far this paint goes. One qt will easly do your top side. I could have painted my 18 foot boat with just one qt but since we mixed it all at one time it didnt survive the time between coats. Only mix 1/2 up at a time when your painting is what I learned. It realy does go along way when your rolling and tipping. Remember to thin it out too. Good luck. I loved the Brightside paint for the deck. It really levels out nice.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Question about topside paint / and cheaper price

I'm super thrilled with Easypoxy right now. And I agree with Damifudo, these quality paints go a long way. 3 quarts will do my whole boat.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Question about topside paint / and cheaper price

Something I've learned painting my boats is that there are two main things that affect the quality of the final finish:

1) Prep work

2) Quality of paint chosen

There's a huge difference between the single part epoxies/urethanes and the high end two parters.

There's a lot of other variables, especially painting techniques, conditions while painting, etc. But for the most part a quality (meaning long and difficult) prep job combined with a good quality fresh paint gives you a nice result.

It's easy to go into sticker shock looking at paint prices, but look carefully at how much this job means to you. Personally, I think if you don't care about the boat that much you can go even cheaper than west marine store brand, you can go rust-oleum.

If you do care, spend the bucks on the better stuff. Splitting the difference won't give you paint that's half as good as the top end, it'll give you paint that's better than rust-oleum, which isn't saying much.

Whatever you do, prep prep prep. If you aren't going to commit to your paint job being 75% or more prep and 25% or less painting, don't bother getting a high end paint, you won't get your money's worth.

Erik

PS:I already decided I'll be painting my boat's new gunwales with Interlux perfection two part... I want a nice, hard, shiny finish.