Paint, epoxy or glass?

[Andrew]

So I've put the starboard side on, and the cabin sides and I was thinking of 'finishing' as much of the insides as possible before putting the other side on. But do I glass the inside (seems expensive), epoxy the inside (does this have any benefit?) or just plain old paint it?

What did you guys do - what would you have done differently - what would you do next time????

Thanx for your input

Andrew

[Frank Hagan]

I used fir ACX plywood for my Weekender, and I just used latex paint on the inside (primer and paint, actually). If I were to do it over again, I would do the same thing for the inside, as I never go in there.

The one disadvantage is that eventually the ACX ply will "check" (develop surface cracks). So far, it hasn't been a problem.

Some people epoxy coat the plywood to seal it, but that won't stop the fir plywood from cracking. If you used okume, meranti, or another "plain sliced" plywood, you don't have to worry about the plywood checking.

[Dave Ruedel]

I used a mildew resistant primer on the interior, then exterior semigloss latex. I glassed the cockpit, but only painted inside the storage areas. We do use the cabin area quite a bit, so we will probably repaint inside again in a few years. No extensive checking over 3 years now on the inside.

[Arnie Eaton]

Plywood checking is mostly caused by the sun and moisture. Inside won't have a lot of checking if any at all. Pine and other woods won't check at all, only Doug Fir, at least in my experience. I plan on using a good primer and then a good ext. oil paint.

[Andrew]

Thanx guys

I got a can of 'self priming' exterior paint at Bunnings (Oz version of Home Depot) in their 'half price cause we mixed the wrong colour' bin. It's close enough to white for me to be OK with it - that and I'm colour blind!

Seems like nothing on the boat happens for months, then all at once I'm getting somewhere

Andrew

[tomstock]

Also, keep in mind sealing both sides of the wood won't allow moisture to escape...which means rot. Paint will breathe but epoxy wont.

[Andrew]

So I WAS going to paint the insides before putting on the port side, but now I'm itching to make it boat like and put the side on first My question is...How much room is there forward of the front bulkhead for painting etc? I haven't cut the forward hatch yet, but my front bulkhead has no holes in it (not as per the plans) - will I get claustrophobic in there - or should I send in the 6 year old :?

PS I'm only 5'2" so this might make a difference!??!!

[Scott Dufour]

I'd recommend you resist the desire to make it boatlike until you finish the interior. It's a battle we all contend with, and sometimes lose. It will save you many hours, back pains, banged elbows, sanding, and curses to finish as you go. It does take some discipline, but anytime you can work more comfortably with the top off, you're going to get a better finish, quicker, and more happily. You also save time in the long run. I try to think of it as delaying it from LOOKING like a boat so I can hasten the time that it IS a boat.

[Andrew]

Don't you just hate sensible people :shock:

Thanx Scott - looks like it'll be a not boat for a little longer

A

[Frank Hagan]

I have to agree with Scott. You could probably paint the forecastle area without too much trouble from the hatch, but you get very messy when you do it (I put on a second coat of paint in there afterwards, and was glad that I had painted it before). Its just hard to reach every nook and cranny.

[Andrew]

I just finished the first coat of the forecastle. Boy am I glad I listened to your advice - what a pain to get to the fiddley bits!! :shock: I can't imagine what it would have been like if both sides had been on.

Oh well another hour to wait and I can start the second coat - while I wait I might clean all the paint of the keyboard - I'll never be able to find the right letters if I dont

[Andrew]

Scott 'n Frank

Thanx again

I just put the port side on and had a quick look in the forward hatch - what was I thinking :oops: getting in there to paint

I can kneel in there but there's no way to get anyting below my chest in there as well - looks like I'll have to hang upside down to finish the paint on the port insides

Andrew