If I was in a location with reasonably priced labor, like Sea Biscuit, I would probably spring to have a crew spray the hull. If I go this route I would still favor Quantum 99 over Awlgrip due to repair-ability.
The options most of us DIY types have are;
1. Get a local painter to roll and tip Awlgrip. I have seen some lovely work. More often, I've seen lots of "adequate" work. The price difference is not huge, its a bit of a crap shoot. Awlgrip cannot be sanded out to remove imperfections or repaired afterwards. My "ballpark" for a good painter in Miami is about $10K for the deck alone and I think that's on the low side.
2. Paint with Interlux two part, or similar. I don't think this is long lasting enough to justify the time and effort involved.
Then along came Quantum 99 paints. Read the history here; http://quantumpaint.com/about-us/
Today I went to a seminar in Forth Lauderdale taught my Jon Boswell. It was attended by a group of professional painters for the area. I kept my head down (yes I know, not easy for me) and watched them spray paint. Impressive, but I think they are the wrong audience for this product. I believe that some yards are using it but the change over from Awlgrip or Awlcraft won't be led by the shooters. As the customer pays for the paint why should the risk learning new tricks and probably botch a job in the process. This is why Awlgrip has been around since 1973.
My interest was in rolling this paint. (Note: tipping is not necessary or recommended). Here are some photos;
The Genius bucket, everything you need in a bucket; https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=336090
The aforementioned Jon Boswell.
My first attempt at rolling on this paint. I'm sure I'll get better.
My second attempt. Getting better might take some time.
A few points;
1. This paint goes a LONG way. Don't compere it gallon to gallon with Awlgrip. Jon stated that 2 gallons painted a 50ft Beneteau hull. You have to roll most of the paint off the roller and really stretch it out on the surface. The last roll should be in one direction and light.
2. You can overcoat in 3 hours but better to wait overnight and sand out imperfections. Did I mention that you can sand and repair this paint.
3. It contains more solids that Awlgrip.
4. I will definitely use the Quantum 45 Epoxy primer on the deck, first.
5. I will still probably use Kiwigrip for the non skid.
I'm not saying that my deck with look as good as your sprayed Awlgrip, but I may have 10 cases of good single malt in my bilge, bought with the money saved, to ease the shame and embarrassment.
"I have no vested interest in this product and have not been bribed in any way. Obviously, being a sailor I am always open to corruption."
7 comments:
Great info! I am inspired. How hard is it to ratio and mix? Given he 4 hour pot life do you plan to mix a batch large enough for a full topsides coat? I am using Interlux Interdeck for some touch up. It is a one part polyurethane non-skid paint. How do you think this compares with Kiwigrip?
Hope to see you in the spring.
Mixing was very easy. I would paint my deck in stages as I'm not that organized. If I pay someone I'm sure they can do in in one go. Kiwigrip is way better that interdeck.
You will not regret using Quantum. Totally user friendly and good back up from the company. I have sprayed it (my own boat) just finishing a 43ft Catana, which I have rolled and coached two novices in my yard on their hull projects. You are absolutely right about stretching the paint out when rolling, it goes for miles and do not tip it's not necessary, once you get the paint on let it do it's stuff it flows out beautifully. I would suggest two coats rolled then sanded with 400grit and then a final finish coat. The high build epoxy primer is great but sand it the day after application, it gets mighty tough if you leave it for too long. For best adhesion paint the day after sanding the primer. Any longer than a 7 days and you will not get a great bond. I don't do this for a living so what I know is from hard one experience as an over enthusiastic amateur.
Getting ready to paint a 40ft aluminum Catamaran.
Thank you
New to this blog.
Taking possession soon of a new 40 ft aluminum Catamaran by Razorhead boats in Louisiana.
The boat will come bare in a trailer to Miami.
Can someone help with info on the neccessary products to paint such a big boat in Miami? Deck, center stack, top, floor and hull.
Frank Rodriguez
786-256-1295
Sorry
Frank Rodriguez
786-256-1296
Experienced contractor with 15yrs experience sprayed it on my 40’ catamaran. The Q99 topcoat adhered well to the existing 2 part paint and looked great however it peeled off the Q45 epoxy primer. I contacted Jon and Sarah at EMC and they said the paint was good, we must have done something wrong. Repeated the process under varied conditions without success. When I sent a video of Q99 topcoat peeling off a test patch of primer the only comment was “Why is your primer yellow and not white, which is what you ordered?” I sent them photos of the Q45 epoxy primer and activator cans, which matched the cured primer on the boat – exact same color, a cream yellow-not white like the can said. I explained that was the product I received and we followed the simple 1:1 mix. They stopped communicating with me despite my repeated attempts. I conceded to the fact that they were not willing to help. Having completely lost faith in both the company and the product I proceeded to strip all of the Q99 paint, re-prime and repaint the boat with another product.
I made one more attempt at recovering some cost of the failed paint system by writing to Jon Boswell (owner of EMC) and requesting a refund on the ~$3000 worth of failed product. I told Boswell that I would write a review reflecting my experience in dealing with them if they did not refund the cost of paint. Fortunately I copied Jamestown Distributors who immediately got involved. Boswell in turn responded stating his insurance company would contact me – never happened. I put a deadline on my review and he offered to help me out with $1000. After 4 months of the run around I chose to warn my fellow boaters instead of taking the money. BEWARE they will not stand by their product.
Post a Comment