Everything you ever wanted to know about AWLGRIP

[mancinema]

Hey all you classic SeaCrafters, I’m getting ready to use Awlgrip for the first time & quite frankly it is rather intimidating. I’m hoping to break down some of the mystique surrounding it and get anyone who has ever worked with Awlgrip products to share their experiences. If you could, fill out the questions below and provide any advice you can think of (nothing is too insignificant).

Awlgrip products used & price paid:

Supplier:

Equipment used for application:

Coverage:

Safety precautions used:

Location & environmental conditions:

Tips & advice:

[mancinema]

I’ll get the ball rolling.
I haven’t painted or even ordered any of this yet. I’m hoping your feedback will help me get the best results and prevent me from over-ordering and or killing myself with isocyanates

Awlgrip products used & price paid:
White 545 Primer $117 gallon
Primer Converter $109 gallon
Primer Spray Reducer $24 quart
Snow White $208 gallon
Sea Foam Green $311 gallon
Top Coat Spray Converter $228 gallon
Top Coat Brush Converter $68 pint
Top Coat Spray Reducer $70 gallon
Top Coat Brush Reducer $29 quart
Griptex Non-Skid $39 quart

Supplier: Jamestown Distributors

Equipment used for application: Harbor Freight Gravity Fed HVLP gun with CAPSPRAY CS8100 3 stage turbine borrowed from a friend.

Coverage:
-20SF Seacraft-

This is what I’m thinking…

Hull: (2 coats primer + 3 coats topcoat)
2 Quart Primer
2 Quart Primer Converter
.5 Quart Primer Reducer
2 Quart Sea Foam Green
2 Quart Top Coat Spray Converter
.5 Top Coat Spray Reducer

Inner Liner (Not including floor): (2 coats primer + 3 coats topcoat)
2 Quart Primer
2 Quart Primer Converter
.5 Quart Primer Reducer
2 Quart Snow White
2 Quart Top Coat Spray Converter
.5 Top Coat Spray Reducer

Rod Storage & Anchor Locker: (2 coats primer + 3 coats topcoat)
.5 Quart Primer
.5 Quart Primer Converter
.1 Quart Primer Reducer
.5 Quart Sea Foam Green
.5 Quart Top Brush Converter
.1 Top Coat Brush Reducer

Center Console: (2 coats primer + 3 coats topcoat)
1 Quart Primer
1 Quart Primer Converter
.25 Quart Primer Reducer
.25 Quart Snow White
.75 Quart Sea Foam Green
1 Quart Top Coat Spray Converter
.25 Quart Top Coat Spray Reducer

Deck Non Skid: (2 coats primer + 3 coats topcoat)
1 Quart Primer
1 Quart Primer Converter
.25 Quart Primer Reducer
.25 Quart Snow White
.75 Quart Sea Foam Green
1 Quart Top Coat Spray Converter
.25 Quart Top Coat Spray Reducer
1 Quart Griptex

Safety precautions used:
Gerson P95 isocyanate approved respirator from Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66554

Full Tyvek coveralls with hood
Goggles to protect my eyes (I’ve heard that isocyanates are drawn to moisture)
Nitrile gloves

Location & environmental conditions:
Backyard
September - 88 degrees with 70% humidity
Underneath a 10 x 30 White Party Tent Gazebo Canopy with Sidewalls
http://www.amazon.com/White-Party-Ga...3026992&sr=8-4

Tips & advice:
1. I called Awlgrip and they recommended using gelcoat NOT Awlgrip inside fishboxes or anywhere that might have standing water.
I hope to have a lot more tips & advice about Awlgrip for everyone once I actually start working with it

[strick]

I've sprayed two boats with it inside and out...I never did all the figuring you have done though. I cant even remember how much paid for the stuff....or how much it took to cover the boat. I have a commercial account with a local boat shop so I get a good deal. If you have a big boat yard near you that sells it then you may find a better deal on your materials so check around and tell them you have a boat restoration business and you want to open a commercial account.

for a 20sf I would start with 2 quarts primer and 2 quarts converter as this gives you a gallon of material. Then get one quart of out side paint plus one quart inside paint plus the respective converters. A little of the paint goes a long way. Is the hull bottom going to be a different color then the hull sides?

I would not recommend spraying Awlgrip out side. You don't need to be in a booth but you do need to be in a somewhat controlled environment. You need good lighting as well. How good you prep the boat with your sanding and fairing compounds will will determine how much primer you use...but 4 good heavy coats of primer is a good estimate. The primer does not spray as easily as the paint does...it's a little thicker. It dries very fast and spray technique is not all that important...just get it on the boat. The paint is misted on the first two coats and allowed to flash then successive heavy coats are applied...till it looks good. I don't know what experience you have with a spray gun... I was trained in my early teens how to spray clear lacquer on kitchen cabinets when I was a painter. You have to keep moving all the time. Try practicing on something first and you will get the hang of it...its really not that hard. Awlgrip is one hell of a tough paint...and it looks great!

Make sure you have lots of ventilation...full tyvec suite...best respirator money can buy goggles and a hood.

strick

[Spidercrab]

dis iz how i does it awlcat no primer


sumtime mi cousin homer gits caryed away and use a bag fer his mask


btw: yer a newby,idon't git yer name what kins of man cenima yer bin watchin?
see ya sam

[mancinema]

Ha. I knew that username would come back to haunt me one of these days.
Last name is Mancini & I'm a producer. Hence Mancinema. Not porn... And definitely not gay-man-porn...

[BigLew]

First name Henry? We need some "higher brow" intellect and humor- we'd all be better for it.

[mancinema]

Agreed. Thanks Lew. Ever worked with Awlgrip?

[kneedeep]

do your self a favor and check the prices at discount marine supplies .com, i ordered all my awlgrip from them when i did my boat. plus there shipping rate is great $6.00. the sea foam green is $219 gal compared to $311 you had. all your other questions can be answered thru the awlgrip web site,what gun/tip size/air presure etc. great paint and will hold a shine for many years.

[BigLew]

Not yet...thinking about it, though!
Please be very carefull, it is nasty stuff and can kill. Think about a full face respirator mask with the proper filters!!!! Check out ebay - $50-$100, some with cartridges filters. The fumes are not to be trifled with. Later (or before), the mask will be welcome addition when sanding or grinding fiberglass. Worth the money, I think.

I am impressed with your home work and planning. Prices sound a little on the high side though. If it is local along with worthwhile advice/knowledge, probably worth it rather than an expensive disappointment in the end.

[Blue_Heron]

Go through this thread at Boatdesign.net:

Awlgrip Knowledge Challenge

Take notes as you go through it. It's 2 1/2 years old and 38 pages long. There's lots of good info, but lots of noise too. Basically there are two general schools of thought; roll and tip, and spray. There's lots of discussion on all aspects of both approaches, much of it by professionals. But again, take notes, or you'll forget all the good info by the time you get to the end because of all the off-topic noise. Well, unless you have a better memory than me.

Dave