A different paint Question

[Mark Gudschinsky]

But first I must premise my question.

Like most Weekender builders I planned (hopped) to end up with a beautiful hand built boat with a finish like glass that would wow them on the lake. However, in the determined rush to get our Weekender in the water last year a few corners were temporarily cut.

The masts and booms were rigged with out a finish, no hatches were built, the trailer was lashed up to fit and there was even duct tape involved but I'm not saying where. The issue though is the hull's finish. We built using Okumee so there is the nice Mahogany wood, but we used the plans as our guide so we have Bondo poxed all over our nice Mahogany. We glassed the hull as is most builders' choice with the exception of adding pigment to the epoxy to help diffuse the clash between the mahogany and the Bondo.

What we ended up with is a finish that shows the grain and tone of wood (and Bondo) through a thin veil of grey. All in all an interesting finish -except for the Bondo. I need to paint for UV protection and because there apparently no other way to hide the Bondo. But I no longer want that slick factory look to the finish. I don't want it to look like a plastic boat, I want it to look likely a wood boat.

I could paint it and just beat the heck out of it for a few seasons, but that would take too long, and the seas just aren't that rough on our little lake.

So who else has gone for a traditional aged look, and how did you do it?

[capt jake]

Well, started out with Benjamin Moore alkyd enamel (oil based). I wasn't impressed with it (for my application), but it is a very tough paint. Not too expensive either, seems like about $20 or so a gallon.

I have used it on some other accessorry parts and when properly cured, it is very tough!

My complaint was brush marks, but I wanted the look of a sprayed finish anyway!

[Frank Hagan]

That shiny, glass-like finish is really more suited to plastic boats or to cars. Traditional boat paints are flat, not shiny.

Jake is right ... a good alkyd enamel in a flat or satin flat finish will do much to hide what's ailing you. If there's already a water based finish on her, you might try a good latex porch and floor paint.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Ok good suggestions.

I can cover what I've got with a variety of paints. What I guess I looking for is a painting technique or style that will give the boat an aged look.

So more that color, or color scheme, a method of painting? Or a combination of methods?

Am I nuts? Surly with the variety of characters out there building these boats I'm not the only one to come up with this silly idea?

[Tom Holder]

I suggest that, given the multitude of shiny plastic boats around you, that flat paint will look naturally aged in comparison. If you really are looking for antique, lay a coat of a contrasting colour down then put your finish colour on top. Take some sandpaper and knock down the high spots (i.e. edges, rub rails) until the other colour shows through. You can also use other techniques like whacking it with a chain or dragging a nail across the finish. Just make sure that you don't penetrate the epoxy and compromise your waterproofing.

Is that what you are looking for? if so, search the web for "antiquing furniture" or similar or hit the library - there's rafts of books on this topic.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Well, It looks like I'll try a bit of paint experimenting and lots of sailing. I do have acess to plenty of kids, but I'm short of dogs. We'll see how it all comes out. If I discover anything new I'll report back.

[Mark Hughes]

I have a pair of Siberian Huskies I could lend you for the aging process! They would fit right in to your climate. Build yourself some runners under the boat, and they could provide your auxilary power for ice boating!

[Barry Pyeatt]

There are some semi-gloss polyuethane concrete floor finishes that have excellent UV characteristics as well as good wear properties. Both Lowes and HD carry them. A couple of them are single component applications and would be good for this use.

The semi-gloss porch and deck paints will give good service and a much more appropriate "Vintage" look to things. Some of them can be mixed to just about any color you want.