Painting And Sealing Your Boat

Whatever material is to be painted, there are a number of things to take into account. At least two finishing coats should be applied to ensure total opacity and absence of streaks.

The paint should be applied within the minimum and maximum re-coat times, too soon and they will attack the first coat which may cause wrinkling, and too late and they will not adhere properly. This is particularly true of polyurethanes including the time between primer and top coat. Problems can also be encountered when overlapping one paint with the later application of a different paint, such as an enamel being overlapped by polyurethane. Because of the powerful thinning agents in the urethane, it can cause wrinkling of enamel which has not hardened.

Care must be taken especially with the two-pack paints to add the correct amount of thinner. In hot weather, more is required to keep the paint at the correct consistency. Too little thinner will cause the paint to be hard to apply, and go on so thickly that it will sag before setting. Too much thinner will make the paint transparent.

Teak can be left in its natural state, and just sanded and oiled from time to time. When oiling grabrails, adequate time should be allowed (a few days) before sails come in contact with the wood. This will avoid staining on the sails. Before varnishing teak, it should be swabbed with acetone to remove the natural oil in the wood and let the varnish penetrate.

Sealing of hatches, windows and other through-hull or deck fittings is made easier with silicone or urethane sealants. Butyl mastic although shrinks and hardens in time, should never be used under water. Silicon or polyurethane should be used whenever a good seal is required. They have similar properties and form flexible, long-lasting and waterproof joints. Work for as neat a fit as possible, big gobs of silicone do not help the seal and merely ruin the appearance. Mating surfaces should be just covered with a thin even layer, so that when drawn tight a little is squeezed out all the way round. Carefully trim with a sharp blade after setting.

Threaded fittings such as seacocks, should have at least two turns of teflon thread sealant tape applied to the male thread before they are installed. This ensures a good seal with the cock handle facing in the right direction, and makes it easier to remove later.

Proper painting and sealing is of paramount importance in prolonging the life and good looks of your craft.

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