Tintable coatings for Polyester

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

So my Curlew frame is all lashed together and I hope to be putting fabric on in the next week or so (got to build the coaming first).  I am researching coatings and would like to be able to do custom colors.  I have found where some people just buy and mix Rustoleum colors to create their custom colors but was wondering if anyone has any products or experience with tintable bases? 

 

I think I saw something about Sherwin Williams having a tintable oil base but haven't looked into it yet.

 

Thanks.

[Kudzu]

Any good paint store or paint department can mix you a Porch and Deck enamel in most any color. I have it done all the time.  The problem(s) is they don't always have all the right base colors in oil based. I had a hard time finding anyone that could mix the Nuclear Green I used on my Shad. I finally discovered ACE hardware could mix what I wanted. Sherwin Williams could not, didn't have the right base color.

 

The second problem is that oil based is being removed and it is going away in most of the places I use. If you can live with latex/water based the sky is the limit for colors. Just make sure it is an exterior paint. I used a Bhear, not sure how they spell it, and it not bad but it not near as tough as oil base either.

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

So using a water based/latex paint isn't going to have long-term problems?  I thought we had to stay away from those due to their soluability in water?

[Kudzu]

No! Once it is dry it water has no effect on it. It's drawback is it is not nearly as hard or tough as oil based. It's softer and will scuff up much easier.

 

I will take oil based any day over water based. BUT, the last water based I used was much better than it was 2-3 years ago. I use it in my classes because it dries so fast we can paint the boat in one day. It holds up well, but it just marks up easier. The other side of that is that it is supposes to be easier to touch it up.

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

Exactly the problem I ran into, NY is one of those states that doesn't allow the oil paint to be shipped in gallon containers.  So looks like exterior latex for me.

[Hirilonde]

Exactly the problem I ran into, NY is one of those states that doesn't allow the oil paint to be shipped in gallon containers.  So looks like exterior latex for me.

So order the paint in quarts.  I ordered a quart of red lead primer from Kirby Paints.  It is one of the most dangerous paints available but also a necessity for traditionally built boats.  No problems at all getting it.

 

The big box stores are doing away with all oil based paints, but I bet that anyone who is willing to go to a paint dealer or high end hardware store can find it quite easily.  Just another of the many, many reasons I don't go to big box stores.  If people continue to shop at them as a primary soon we will all be at their mercy and what ever they decide to sell.

[Kudzu]

My suppliers are tell me right the opposite. They are removing the quarts and leaving the gallons.... for now. Gallons will go latter on.

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

 

The big box stores are doing away with all oil based paints, but I bet that anyone who is willing to go to a paint dealer or high end hardware store can find it quite easily.  Just another of the many, many reasons I don't go to big box stores.  If people continue to shop at them as a primary soon we will all be at their mercy and what ever they decide to sell

I was at the high end paint stores when they told me the oil was no longer available...

 

Sherwin Williams was the only store I found selling their brand of oil paint in quart form, I haven't decided what to do yet, but got to decide this week as I just sewed the bow and stern corded stitches and will do the coaming in a couple days after my fingers recover

[Kudzu]

Just keep in mind that oil is a bit tougher but latex is much nicer to work with. I wouldn't loose any sleep over it and use what ever is available.

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

When you thin the Rustoleum do you measure it out or just add acetone until you get it to the consistency you want?  I think the can mentioned making the mixture 15% acetone for a sprayer.

[kayak278]

I tried thinning Rustoleum 15% with acetone on one of my SOFs and ended up with a blotchy interior.  On my latest SOF, I found on Rustoleum's website that it should be thinned 20% with acetone...I did this and it worked like a charm..... I ended up with a nice, even, uniform interior.

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

Thanks Matt, do most people paint both the interior and exterior of the boat?  Seems the interior would be a huge PITA to paint...

[P Doug (WA)]

I don't remember reading where anyone painted the interior. I don't even know how you would go about it.  I know I didn't on mine.

[kayak278]

No, I don't paint the interior.....as per Jeff's YouTube video on painting, by thinning the first coat, it allows the paint to soak into the weave of the fabric.  When you look inside the fuselage, you can see either a blotchy color or a uniform color, depending on how well the paint soaked into the weave.  Hope that makes sense! 

 

Jeff's video on finishing polyester

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

No, I don't paint the interior.....as per Jeff's YouTube video on painting, by thinning the first coat, it allows the paint to soak into the weave of the fabric.  When you look inside the fuselage, you can see either a blotchy color or a uniform color, depending on how well the paint soaked into the weave.  Hope that makes sense! 

 

Jeff's video on finishing polyester

 

Ahh, ok.  Makes perfect sense.  I thinned to ~20% last night on the black and painted the first coat.  When I get home today I will be able to flip it over and see how well it permeated the fabric and how the interior looks.

[kayak278]

Here's a look at the inside of my son's 10' SOF.  And just because I'm a proud father, here's a shot of the two of us kayaking up near Muskegon, MI on the White River a few weeks ago.  I need to come up with a better "hydro-dynamic" outrigger system.  The swim noodle outriggers pushed a lot of water as I was towing him!  All worth it though!!

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

Looks awesome!  I am curious how big a child the 10' kayak will handle, I think I read they are good up to 100 lbs.  My 7 year old is 55lbs so want to ensure he has a few years use out of it.

 

I have seen alot of people use the empty 2-liter soda bottles as floats and put the pointy end first would be more hydro-dynamic.  Plus you can drink the soda before paddling and get all sugared/caffeinated up before paddling.

[Kudzu]

I bet you give him a paddle and a few minutes of instruction/learning you will find he doesn't need the outriggers.

[kayak278]

I bet you give him a paddle and a few minutes of instruction/learning you will find he doesn't need the outriggers.

 

Jeff....you're probably right on that......although since he is 3 and a half, my wife wanted the outriggers on and I deferred to her    I do have a greenland paddle all made up for him that we will use once we hit the water again next spring!  Hopefully I'm doing Proverbs 22:6 justice by starting him out young in a kayak!

[Kudzu]

OK, I didn't realize he was that young, he looks older to me. I will back up and agree with you wife then. :-)