T&T: Painting a steel hulled Trawler

[Mike Krohn]

John, 
Everyone says that the key (intended) to a good paint job on steel is to
grit blast the surface and then build up the paint scheme from compatible
components (primer, filler, topcoats). The degree of blasting should be
"Swedish 2 1/2". We could start a thread on why it's called that - I don't
know. But a blasting company will understand. When it is freshly blasted,
the steel looks white. You need to get the primer on *immediately* after
blasting, before any rusting can take place.

I wouldn't be too scared of applying the paint. I have applied 2-part
epoxies with roller and brush. The issue really is the quality of finish. If
you are after high-gloss, super-smooth, you need a professional to do the
job. But if you can tolerate a lower standard, then normal DIY methods will
get you by. Airless spray is best but a roller does surprisingly well (but
some rollers dissolve in the paint solvents).

I would use 2-part epoxy for the primer and main coats. Epoxy is degraded by
UV in sunlight, though. So you should use a 2-part polyurethane for the top
coats. I suspect that any of the mainstream paint suppliers' products will
do fine. I never understood what was different about "marine" paints.

Finally, watch out for the solvents in the paints. They are not good for
you. I once had to paint the inside of a deep sailboat keel and staggered
out with scarcely any brain cells left operating.
....Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of John
Sent: 02 May 2008 15:04
To: trawlers-and-trawlering at lists.samurai.com
Subject: T&T: Painting a steel hulled Trawler

I am in the process of building a Glen-L designed 32
foot trawler.   I bought this as a work in progress
project, with the steel work completed, but otherwise
a bareboat.   

Now that spring has sprung, I'm going to begin
tackling the exterior.   Given that I have no idea 
how long the primer that's on the hull has been there,
my plan is to take it back down to bare steel, and
build up from there.  There is light faring required
in a few spots, and I'm looking for a long lasting,
DIY application of a paint system.

Here is the problem.  Every time I call one of the
'large' paint companies, they are certainly courteous,
but once they know I'm a DIYer I do NOT even get a
return call.   

I'm a bit stuck and I'm looking for tried and true
paint schemes.   Is there anyone out there with
experience painting a steel hull.  The product they
used, application tricks, etc? Certainly I'm looknig
at keeping the costs low also, but want a long lasting
paint solution.

The House is aluminum  ( electrically isolated from
the steel hull) and that will need paint aswell, so
looking for experiences painting aluminum also.

John McPherson  



 
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