Paint: Easypoxy vs Brightside

[junior11]

So I worked hard, sanded, filled, sanded, gelcoated, filled, sanded, filled, sanded.... you get the idea, then finally primed. I had a tip to use brightside paint. I rolled the large areas and brushed the smaller ones with Pre-kote primer. That primer sucked. It was really thin, even without putting thinner in it. Also, anywhere it went on thick, corners, and any place where it even filed a little bit, never dried hard after a week of being inside. I tried to sand off and wipe all the primer, and it wasn't happening, so I was stuck. I did some research and found that easypoxy had better results. Also at this point I was STUCK using a one part. I sort of knew the results, but I tried to gelcoat over the pre-kote and it blistered and made a mess. I traded in my interlux products for petit products and the primer was much thicker, I thinned it slightly, and applied it. Within 2 hours at the same temperature, it was already starting to dry. It went on much smoother and was easier to work with.

Lessons IMO
1) Don't use a one part, as "easy" as it sounds, it's not worth it. Once you go down that route, you are never turning back. If you gelcoat or any other two part and don't like it, you could always put one part prime over it and go that route after.

2) If you are going to use a one part, go with the easypoxy over brightside.

I am not done yet, but I was pretty bumbed about the situation, but am feeling better about my chances of a decent outcome now.

[Hooligan]

Ahhhh. Familiar mistake. I have always been plagued with the inability to cough up extra dough for quality paint. But all it takes is a few curveballs/ screwups in your paint project and BAM! you're ready to ante up. Prep sucks and having to do it twice... OUCH!

Did a few small boats in Brightside and one in Petit Easypoxy. Both pretty comparable to me but I also liked the Petit better in the one part. Best Ive found for off the shelf though is the interlux perfection two part- roll and tip and it comes out sweet. Painted a 28' hull with it and you can't see any brush marks unless you are two feet away and even then its tough. Only thing I recommend for primer is epoxy primecoat. Two part, its gray, sands real easy and sets up quick as a whip. Easy to see imperfections under it too (gives you a good idea what topcoat will look like. Apply with solvent resistant foam roller.

Just did my engine compartment and coughed out some dough for DuPont Imron in white. Two part, rolled it with foam. Looks absolutely beautiful. Tough as nails too.

My advice for any marine paint? Go with the two part. (even if its auto/industrial two part)