Replies

1. 
   gulfstar | Dec 09, 2020 01:52pm | #1

   Epoxy primer followed by urethane topcoat is the industrial and shipbuilding standard for tough and durable finishes over steel. It is also the best known way to durably paint boats after the gelcoat has faded. On wood you can use clear epoxy and at any time sand it smooth and re coat with either one part spar varnish ou yacht enamels (urethane). Don’t wait too long before recoating as epoxy has poor UV resistance and may yellow and loose properties when outdoor uncovered.

1. 
   Haolebrian | Dec 09, 2020 03:02pm | #2

   Thank you!

2. 
   godelescher | Dec 09, 2020 07:25pm | #3

   Gulfstar is right about marine finishes. I used to paint boats and linear polyurethanes over epoxy primers was considered the top end at the time.

   However, there are some other concerns. Epoxy breaks down in UV light, which is why it's advisable to put a UV inhibiting topcoat over it. Make sure whatever you put on top has UV inhibitors.

   Epoxy is hard, so you have to sand in order to have a mechanical bond. In order to sand, the epoxy has to cure. Spraying urethane before the epoxy has cured is going to be a disaster. Epoxy loves to stick to polyurethane, but polyurethane doesn't want to stick to epoxy. It requires a mechanical bond.

   Lastly, the "shine" will require two topcoats. How well you sand after the first coat, and how well you apply the finish coat will determine if it looks like glass or it looks like nonskid.

   (Hey Gulfstar, I worked on a Gulfstar 46 M/S, is that what you have? Good blue water boat)